Abstract: A preoperative skin stretching apparatus and method for preoperatively stretching facial and neck skin to alleviate the complications associated with the extensive undermining of the soft tissues of the face and neck that occur when performing facelifts. The preoperative skin stretching apparatus utilizes a plurality of skin attachments that are sutured superficially to predetermined areas of the skin. A nondistensible headcap is fitted onto a patient's head and covers the rear of the neck and the posterior, superior and frontal areas of the head. A plurality of straps are fixedly attached to the headcap and extend through rectangular apertures provided in the skin attachments. The free end of the straps are pulled rearward toward the headcap in order to pull the skin attachments rearward and apply tension to the skin. The material cooperatively engages to detachably and adjustably maintain the position of the skin attachments and the tension on the skin.

Abstract: A device for treating a human joint having damaged articular surfaces, for example an arthritic joint, comprises a cap of concavo-convex lenticular form and constructed of a bio-compatible material. The function of the cap is to mould cartilage covering the damaged articular surfaces. The radius of curvature of the convex surface and of the concave surface may be numerically the same or the radius of the convex surface may be greater than the radius of the concave surface according to the particular joint to be treated.