Abstract: Medical devices disclosed herein include pre-defined structures for dispensing forces onto a tissue plane in a living organism and are utilized to adjust spatial relationships, orientations, and mechanical forces in a patient treatment area. The treatment area may be a wound, an incision, or a surgically accessed area within a patient that includes oppositely disposed sections that heal more efficiently and with less scarring when force vectors of a particular magnitude and direction are applied to the treatment area. The medical device provides a structure that may be pre-stressed through planned deformation that develops desirable spatial and mechanical relationships along the tissue plane for alignment, compression, advancement, eversion, inversion, distraction, rotation, angulation, and the control or modulation of tension across the treatment area.

Abstract: A medical device for at least partially covering and applying force on tissue includes a body having a spanning structure and struts respectively connected to lateral portions of the spanning structure. Inner ends of the struts extend into an area over which the medial portion of the spanning structure extends. The medical device is reconfigurable between extended and retracted configurations. The inner ends of the struts are closer to one another in the retracted configuration than in the extended configuration. The inner ends of the struts are closer to the medial portion of the spanning structure in the retracted configuration than in the extended configuration. Each strut includes an engagement zone configured to engage and apply force on the tissue, at least while the medical device is in the retracted configuration. A web can be connected to the struts and span between the inner ends of the struts.

Abstract: A removable covering for an object includes an adhered section that is adhered to the object (e.g., adhered to a receiving surface of the object via an adhesive layer) and a free section that is not adhered to the object. The removable covering is sufficiently flexible to allow at least partial removal of the adhered section from the object by application of a force to the removable covering. Typically, the removable covering is adhered to the object such that resistance to removal of the covering from the object varies at different zones of attachment between the removable covering and the object. The resistance variation may be achieved, for example, by employing tabs, loops, folds, varying-strength adhesive strips, textures and/or release coatings. Exemplary packaging systems (e.g., containing removable coverings and/or objects) include features such that resistance to removal of the packaging system from an object varies at different phases of removal.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: Force modulating tissue bridges, and associated applicators, kits and methods are provided. A force modulating tissue bridge can be a medical article for at least partially covering a wound and/or scar tissue. The medical article can include an elastic arch extending over an area, and a medial strut connected to the arch and extending into the area over which the central section extends.

Abstract: Medical devices disclosed herein include pre-defined structures for dispensing forces onto a tissue plane in a living organism and are utilized to adjust spatial relationships, orientations, and mechanical forces in a patient treatment area. The treatment area may be a wound, an incision, or a surgically accessed area within a patient that includes oppositely disposed sections that heal more efficiently and with less scarring when force vectors of a particular magnitude and direction are applied to the treatment area. The medical device provides a structure that may be pre-stressed through planned deformation that develops desirable spatial and mechanical relationships along the tissue plane for alignment, compression, advancement, eversion, inversion, distraction, rotation, angulation, and the control or modulation of tension across the treatment area.

Abstract: A removable covering for an object includes an adhered section that is adhered to the object (e.g., adhered to a receiving surface of the object via an adhesive layer) and a free section that is not adhered to the object. The removable covering is sufficiently flexible to allow at least partial removal of the adhered section from the object by application of a force to the removable covering. Typically, the removable covering is adhered to the object such that resistance to removal of the covering from the object varies at different zones of attachment between the removable covering and the object. The resistance variation may be achieved, for example, by employing tabs, loops, folds, varying-strength adhesive strips, textures and/or release coatings. Exemplary packaging systems (e.g., containing removable coverings and/or objects) include features such that resistance to removal of the packaging system from an object varies at different phases of removal.

Abstract: A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

Abstract: A removable covering for an object includes an adhered section that is adhered to the object (e.g., adhered to a receiving surface of the object via an adhesive layer) and a free section that is not adhered to the object. The removable covering is sufficiently flexible to allow at least partial removal of the adhered section from the object by application of a force to the removable covering. Typically, the removable covering is adhered to the object such that resistance to removal of the covering from the object varies at different zones of attachment between the removable covering and the object. The resistance variation may be achieved, for example, by employing tabs, loops, folds, varying-strength adhesive strips, textures and/or release coatings. Exemplary packaging systems (e.g., containing removable coverings and/or objects) include features such that resistance to removal of the packaging system from an object varies at different phases of removal.