Patent ID: 7686829
Filing Date: 2010-03-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of closing a wound, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mechanically attaching a skin anchor to external skin tissue on a first side of a wound; (b) mechanically attaching an anchorable tensioning apparatus to external skin tissue on an opposite second side of the wound, the tensioning apparatus including a spool and a spring attached to the spool; (c) winding a line around the spool of the tensioning apparatus; (d) after winding the line around the spool of the tensioning apparatus, pulling the line away from the tensioning apparatus to build up a biasing force of the spring; (e) attaching the line to the skin anchor on the first side of the wound without any portion of the line penetrating through the skin; and (f) providing tension to the line to draw the skin anchor and the tensioning apparatus toward each other.