Abstract: A skin closure device made of flexible material adhesively attachable to the skin of a person who is preparing to undergo surgery, the device including optional non adhesive areas along opposite sides of an incision and bridging members adapted to engaged the skin closure member on opposite sides of the incision to hold the skin closure member closed against the skin surface adjacent to the incision. The subject invention is also directed to the use of a surgical drape having a window opening through which or in which the subject skin closure can be positioned, the subject skin closure being removable from the window at the conclusion of surgery so that the skin closure device with remain attached to the skin for as long as desired and the surgical drape can be removed for use elsewhere. The subject invention also contemplates attaching a medicated strip extending along the skin closure device in the area of the incision to provide medication help at the conclusion of surgery.

Abstract: Improvements to skin closure devices wherein a sheet member is adhesively attached to the skin and has side edges that extend along and are contiguous with the side edges of the skin opening to be closed, which device also includes bridging members attached to the sheet member on opposite sides of the skin opening for holding portions of the sheet member on opposite sides of the skin opening and the skin opening together in a closed condition, the improvements including an elongated strip of relatively porous material intended to hold a quantity of medication therein substantially along th length thereof, and a layer of adhesive along the length on one surface of the strip for attaching the strip to the skin closure in position extending along the closed skin opening, whereby the medication substance can drain into the medicate the skin opening.

Abstract: Improvements in skin closures that unite and hold separable closure members and skin portions attached thereto accurately together to prevent separation thereof by forces which might otherwise cause the united members to separate, the improvement including sheet members adhesively attached on opposite sides of a skin separation or incision and one or more folded back sheet portions or separate sheet elements for use in adhesively connecting the sheet members about the skin separation or incision thereby closing the skin separation or incision. In addition, the improvement includes protective coverings over the adhesive layers for use in protecting the adhesive until such time as it is necessary to utilize the skin closure. The improvement also can include elements to aid in accurately guiding a scapel as it makes an incision through the skin closure to aid in preventing damage to the skin closure that would impair its ability to function as such.

Abstract: Improvements in skin closure means including means for uniting and holding separable closure members and skin portions attached thereto accurately together and to prevent separation thereof by forces which might otherwise cause the united members to separate. The subject construction also includes means for accurately guiding an instrument such as a scalpel while making an incision and for aligning and holding the separated edges of a skin wound or incision together during healing in such a way as to minimize or prevent the formation of scar tissue. The subject closure means are easy to apply quickly and accurately even under adverse conditions such as in first-aid treatment during emergencies, under disaster and wartime conditions, in emergency wards, in field, forest and wilderness situations and also under more controlled conditions such as operating rooms and doctors' offices particularly as the final step in completing a skin closure.

Abstract: Improvements in skin closures includng a device for uniting and holding separable closure members and skin portions attached thereto accurately together and to prevent separation thereof by forces which might otherwise cause the united members to separate. The subject construction also includes portions for accurately aligning and holding the separated edges of a skin wound or incision together during healing in such a way as to minimize or prevent the formation of scar tissue. The subject closures are easy to apply quickly and accurately even under adverse conditions such as in first-aid treatment during emergencies, under disaster and wartime conditions, in emergency wards, in field, forest and wilderness situations and also under more controlled conditions such as in operating rooms and doctors' offices particularly as the final step in completing a skin closure.