Skin compression device and methods of production and use thereof
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorRyan DeWall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Skin compression devices are disclosed that are formed of a shape memory material and that have multiple tensioning members. Disposal of one or more skin compression devices on the skin of a subject increases the temperature of the shape memory material and causes the tensioning members to bend inward, thereby compressing the area of skin disposed between the tensioning members; this compression shields the compressed skin from tensile loading. Methods of production and use of the skin compression devices are also disclosed.
Claims20
A skin compression device for shielding a skin of a subject from tensile loading, the skin compression device comprising:
- a first tensioning member having a first end and a second end and being formed of a shape memory alloy;
- a second tensioning member having a first end and a second end and being formed of a shape memory alloy;
- a supporting member connects the first end of the first tensioning member to the first end of the second tensioning member, wherein the supporting member has a first end that is connected to the first end of the first tensioning member and a second end that is connected to the first end of the second tensioning member, and wherein the first and second tensioning members extend from the supporting member at an angle of at least about 90° such that the skin compression device is substantially bracket- or U-shaped;
- a bonding material applied to a lower surface of the first and second tensioning members for adhering the skin compression device to the skin of the subject;
- wherein the skin compression device is configured for disposal on the skin of the subject such that the skin compression device adheres to a substantially bracket or U-shaped area of skin;
- and
- wherein disposal of the skin compression device on the skin increases the temperature of the shape memory alloy, thereby causing the first and second tensioning members to deform and move toward one another and thus compress the substantially bracket or U-shaped area of skin disposed between the first and second tensioning members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.