Title: Suture bridges

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a surgical bridge for supporting incision sutures under continuous tension. The bridge is elongated in shape, including two feet which engage the surface of a patient's skin on opposite sides of an incision, and which are connected by a bridge portion that overlies the incision. The bridge further includes a pair of resiliently flexible cantilevered arms each of which defines a suture support point elevated from the skin surface to preclude cutting or slicing of the patient's skin by the suture. In one embodiment, the suture bridge is made from two interlocking pieces, which enables the advantageous usage of two materials having different resilience, and also simplifies manufacture of the device. Improved structure is also disclosed in conjunction with the suture bridge for effecting tying or securing of a suture end to the bridge quickly and easily.

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Inventors: Kletschka, Harold D. (Minneapolis, MN, US)
Rafferty, Edson H. (Minneapolis, MN, US)

Application Number: 500689
Filing Date: 1974-08-26
Publication_date: 1976-01-13
Assignee: Bio-Medicus, Inc. (Minnetonka, MN)
Primary Class(es): 606/233 24/129R
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

815264	Mar, 1906	Chambers	128/334.
1306369	Jun, 1919	Bell	24/129.
1928536	Sep, 1933	Heinlen et al.	24/138.
2292140	Aug, 1942	Lofgren	24/129.
3541591	Nov, 1970	Hoegerman	128/335.
3831608	Aug, 1974	Kletschka et al.	128/335.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Truluck, Dalton L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell, Welter & Schmidt