Suture bridges compatible with various suture patterns

Abstract

A suture bridge includes a first leg including a first patient contacting surface configured to contact a patient's skin, a second leg spaced from the first leg and including a second patient contacting surface configured to contact the patient's skin, a pair of supports, each of the pair of supports being connected to one of the first leg and the second leg, and a traversing member extending between the pair of supports, the traversing member being elevated from the patient's skin. The pair of supports have a first stiffness, and the first leg and the second leg have a second stiffness, the first stiffness being greater than the second stiffness.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A suture bridge comprising:
 a first leg including a first patient contacting surface configured to contact a patient's skin;   a second leg spaced from the first leg and including a second patient contacting surface configured to contact the patient's skin;   a pair of supports, each of the pair of supports being connected to one of the first leg and the second leg; and   a traversing member extending between the pair of supports, the traversing member being elevated from the patient's skin;   wherein the pair of supports have a first stiffness, and the first leg and the second leg have a second stiffness, the first stiffness being greater than the second stiffness.   
     
     
         22 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein the first leg defines a first suture-receiving element adjacent the first patient contacting surface, and the second leg defines a second suture-receiving element adjacent the second patient contacting surface. 
     
     
         23 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are more flexible than the traversing member. 
     
     
         24 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein the traversing member is rigid. 
     
     
         25 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein the first leg and the second leg comprise silicone. 
     
     
         26 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein the pair of supports include a first material. 
     
     
         27 . The suture bridge of  claim 26 , wherein the pair of supports further include a second material, the second material being different than the first material. 
     
     
         28 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein each of the pair of supports further includes an internal support structure and an external support structure. 
     
     
         29 . The suture bridge of  claim 21 , wherein each of the pair of supports is thicker than each of the first leg and the second leg. 
     
     
         30 . The suture bride of  claim 21 , wherein the traversing member includes a ridge extending along a length of the traversing member and at least partially formed on each of the pair of supports. 
     
     
         31 . A suture bridge comprising:
 a first leg including a first patient contacting surface configured to contact a patient's skin;   a second leg spaced from the first leg and including a second patient contacting surface configured to contact the patient's skin;   a pair of supports, each of the pair of supports being connected to one of the first leg and the second leg; and   a traversing member extending between the pair of supports, the traversing member being elevated from the patient's skin, the traversing member having a greater stiffness than the first and second legs.   
     
     
         32 . The suture bridge of  claim 31 , wherein the first leg defines a first suture-receiving element adjacent the first patient contacting surface, and the second leg defines a second suture-receiving element adjacent the second patient contacting surface. 
     
     
         33 . The suture bridge of  claim 31 , wherein the first leg and the second leg are more flexible than the traversing member. 
     
     
         34 . The suture bridge of  claim 31 , wherein the traversing member is rigid. 
     
     
         35 . The suture bridge of  claim 31 , wherein the first leg and the second leg comprise silicone. 
     
     
         36 . A suture bridge extending between a first end and a second end, and having a bottom surface disposed closer to a patient's skin, and an upper surface disposed farther from the patient's skin, the lower and upper surfaces defining a wall having a thickness defined between the top surface and the bottom surface, the suture bridge comprising:
 a first leg adjacent the first end including a first patient contacting surface along the bottom surface configured to contact the patient's skin, the first leg having a first suture-receiving element configured and arranged to accept a suture;   a second leg adjacent the second end and spaced from the first leg and including a second patient contacting surface along the bottom surface configured to contact the patient's skin, the second leg having a second suture-receiving element configured and arranged to accept a suture;   a pair of supports, each of the pair of supports being connected to one of the first leg and the second leg, respectively; and   a rigid traversing member extending between the pair of supports, the traversing member being elevated from the patient's skin, wherein the wall has a thickness that is greatest within the traversing member.   
     
     
         37 . The suture bridge of  claim 36 , wherein the wall has a greater thickness at the pair of supports than the first and second legs. 
     
     
         38 . The suture bridge of  claim 36 , wherein the wall has a greater thickness at the traversing member than the pair of supports. 
     
     
         39 . The suture bridge of  claim 36 , wherein the wall has a has a greater thickness at the traversing member than the first and second legs. 
     
     
         40 . The suture bridge of  claim 36 , wherein the wall has a gradually increasing thickness from the first and second ends toward the center of the traversing member.