Device for surgical repair, closure, and reconstruction
A device and technique for a sutureless wound closure, which limits the risks of rupture and scarring, is described. The device includes a one-piece surgical fastener generally shaped in a curve along the width of the surgical fastener. The fastener includes a tissue insertion tongue with a plurality of tissue attachment points for fixing the fastener to skin tissue. The fastener also includes a clasp for engaging an identical surgical fastener. The surgical fastener can also be a two-piece structure including a male connecting strap and a female connector. Both pieces include a tissue-connecting mechanism for fixing to skin tissue. The female connector includes an engagement clasp for securing the male connecting strap to the female connector.
1. A surgical fastener for connecting tissue, comprising:
a male connecting strap having a proximal end, a distal end opposing the proximal end, and a first tissue-connecting mechanism at the distal end; and
a female connector having a proximal end, a distal end opposing the proximal end, and an engagement clasp at the proximal end and a second tissue-connecting mechanism at the distal end, wherein the engagement clasp comprises a buckle for securing the male connection strap,
wherein the first tissue-connecting mechanism of the male connecting strap and the second tissue-connecting mechanism of the female connector each comprise an engagement clasp integrally connected thereto, the engagement clasp comprising a forked opening including an upper plate and a lower plate defining a cavity therein, wherein each of the first and second tissue-connecting mechanisms comprises at least one row of ratchets extending from the upper plate of the engagement clasp and at least one row of ratchets extending from the lower plate of the engagement clasp, wherein the ratchets are generally triangular in shape having a dorsal ridge ending in the cavity such that the dorsal ridge of the ratchets on the upper plate face the dorsal ridge of the ratchets on the lower plate.
2. The surgical fastener of claim 1 wherein the buckle comprises a rotating hinge bar including a post receptor wherein the hinge bar is rotatably connected to a receiving platform by a hinge wherein the receiving platform is defined by at least one post adapted to engage with the complementary post receptor.
3. The surgical fastener of claim 1 , wherein the first and second tissue-connecting mechanisms are selected from the group consisting of ratchets, light curing epoxy including the entire electromagnetic spectrum from gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwave radio waves to ultra low frequencies for permanently or temporarily connecting the two straps; DC electrical curing epoxy for permanently or temporarily connecting two connecting straps; magnetic forces to bond the straps permanently or temporarily; ultrasonic energy to bond the straps permanently or temporarily; vibration energy to bond the straps permanently or temporarily; heat, including conduction, convection and radiation energy to bond straps permanently or temporarily; and adhesives, glues, epoxy using either a pressure force or a chemical reaction to bond the straps permanently or temporarily.