Apparatuses and methods for minimizing wound dehiscense, scar spread, and/or the like

Abstract

This disclosure includes apparatuses for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence and related methods. Some of the apparatuses include a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip, the first and second strips configured to be coupled to a patient's back on opposing sides of a wound and a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material configured to be directly coupled to the first and second strips with the layer in tension to resist separation of the first and second strips, where the layer is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is configured to be removably coupled to each of the first and second strips. In some of the apparatuses, the layer is non-removably coupled to and/or is unitary with at least one of the first and second strips.

1 . An apparatus for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence, the apparatus comprising:
 a flexible first strip;   a flexible second strip, the first and second strips configured to be coupled to a patient's skin on opposing sides of a wound; and   a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material configured to be directly coupled to the first and second strips with the layer in tension to resist separation of the first and second strips;   where the layer is configured to be removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the layer is configured to be removably coupled to each of the first and second strips. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the layer is non-removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , where the layer is unitary with at least one of the first and second strips. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 4 , where the first and second strips comprise adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 5 , where the layer comprises adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 6 , where the layer and at least one of the first and second strips comprise hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 7 , where the layer comprises an absorbent pad. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 8 , where the apparatus has a maximum thickness that is substantially equal to a thickness of the first or second strip plus a thickness of the layer. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 9 , where the apparatus is configured such that the layer can be removed from at least one of the first and second strips without removing the first and second strips from the patient's skin. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of any of  claims 1 - 10 , where the layer is configured to be recoupled to at least one of the first and second strips after the layer has been removed from the at least one strip. 
     
     
         12 . A method for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence, the method comprising:
 coupling a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip to a patient's skin on opposing sides of a wound; and   coupling a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material across the first and second strips such that the layer is held in tension by the first and second strips.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , where the layer is directly and removably coupled to at least one of the first and second strips. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  or  13 , comprising removing the layer from at least one of the first and second strips without removing the first and second strips from the patient's skin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising recoupling the layer across the first and second strips such that the layer is held in tension by and resists separation of the first and second strips. 
     
     
         16 . The method of any of  claims 12 - 15 , comprising applying a medicament to the wound. 
     
     
         17 . The method of any of  claims 12 - 16 , comprising trimming at least one of the first strip, second strip, and layer. 
     
     
         18 . A method for providing access to a wound, the method comprising:
 releasing a substantially inelastic and flexible layer of material from a direct coupling with at least one of a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip in which the layer is under tension between the first and second strips;   where the first and second strips remain coupled to a patient's skin on opposing sides of the wound.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising applying a medicament to the wound. 
     
     
         20 . A method for minimizing scar spread and reducing risk of wound dehiscence, the method comprising:
 adjusting a distance between a flexible first strip and a flexible second strip, the first and second strips coupled to a patient's skin on opposing sides of a wound; and   coupling an inelastic and flexible layer of material across the first and second strips such that the layer is held in tension by and resists separation of the first and second strips.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , where the coupling of the layer to at least one of the first and second strips is removable and direct. 
     
     
         22 . The method of any of  claims 12 - 21 , where at least a portion of the wound is on the patient's back. 
     
     
         23 . The method of any of  claims 12 - 22 , where at least a portion of the wound is on the patient's thigh.