Wound and skin closure instrument and method of use
A skin closure instrument and method of use are disclosed. Broadly a tool grasps skin edges and applies glue evenly in rapid and reproducible fashion, thereby enabling a single healthcare provider to perform the procedure. In the preferred embodiment, the instrument is packaged in a sterile container for a single use. The glue may be packaged along with the instrument, or may be added to a reservoir. The system is applicable to both small and large wounds, and is easy to manipulate by a single operator, resulting in a rapid consistent closure of wound edges.
1. An instrument for closing skin edges forming a wound, the instrument comprising:
a pair of opposing, wheels that rotate in the same direction, enabling the instrument to be pulled along a wound to progressively bring skin edges together;
a breakable vial or fillable reservoir of skin glue; and
a device to supply the glue to the skin edges being brought together.
2. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the wheels include barbs or other skin-engaging features.
3. The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the wheels are coupled to opposing manually operated buttons.