US2811971A - Surgical appliance - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 5, 1957 J. R. SCOTT SURGICAL APPLIANCE Filed NOV. 1, 1954 John R. Scarf IN VEN TOR.-

United States Patent SURGICAL APPLIANCE John R. Scott, Missoula, Mont. Application November 1, 1954, Serial No. 466,079

3 Claims. (Cl. 128-335) The present invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in surgical appliances and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for expeditiously, safely and painlessly closing incisions and wounds without the necessity of resorting to the usual suture.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a surgical appliance of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, durable, sanitary and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an appliance embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view illustrating the initial step in closing a wound;

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the completed operation;

Figure 4 is a top plan View showing one arrangement or method which may be employed; and

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the use of a single appliance.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a hook or needle 6 of suitable metal. At one end, the hook 6 is formed to provide a return bend or gooseneck 7 which terminates in an integral, flattened, tapered horizontally projecting handle 8 lying in a substantially common plane with said hook. At its other or free end, the hook 6 terminates in a point 9.

It is thought that the manner in which the appliance is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing, particularly to those of the medical profession. In Figure 2 of the drawing, reference character ice 10 designates a wound or incision in the skin 11 and the subcutaneous layer 12. The hook 6 is inserted in the skin 11 in substantially the manner illustrated, the handle 3 being swung in a clockwise direction. Thus, the walls of the wound are approximated and held, the flattened handle resting on the skin to which it may be securely held through the medium of a strip of adhesive tape, as at 13. To remove the appliance, the foregoing operation is substantially reversed. In Figure 3 of the drawing, reference character 15 designates a dressing over the healing wound. Figure 4 of the drawing illustrates a method of employing a multiplicity of the appliances. The return bend or gooseneck 7 prevents the skin from slipping off the hook 6 onto the handle 8.

It is believed that the many advantages of a surgical appliance constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A surgical suture of the character described comprising a skin penetrating and retaining hook, and a substantially flat, straight, tapered handle integral with one end of the hook and lying substantially in a common plane therewith, said hook terminating in a penetrating point at its other end, said handle lying flat against the skin surface when the device is in an operative position.

2. A surgical suture of the character described comprising a skin penetrating and retaining hook, a return bend on one end of said hook for retaining the skin thereon, and a handle integral with said return bend, said hook and said handle lying in a substantially common plane, said handle being substantially straight and flat and lying flat against the skin surface when the device is in an operative position.

3. A surgical suture comprising: a retaining hook including a skin penetrating point on one end and a skin retaining return bend on its other end, a straight, flat elongated handle on said return bend lying substantially in a common plane with the hook and lying flat on the skin surface when the device is in an operative position, and means for securing said handle on the skin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 527,263 Blanchard Oct. 9, 1894 709,392 Brown Sept. 16, 1902 1,377,359 Littlejohn May 10, 1921 2,523,812 Carr Sept. 26, 1950 2,669,747 Detaranto Feb. 23, 1954

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