Patent ID: 7806907
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for excising a removable skin portion from a surrounding skin area, the surrounding skin area defining a generally planar skin surface in which the removable skin portion initially lies, the apparatus comprising: a moving blade for selectively severing the removable skin portion from the surrounding skin area, the blade being movable in a blade motion plane; a housing supporting and at least partially enclosing the moving blade, the housing being adapted for at least partial contact with the surrounding skin area while the blade is severing the removable skin portion; and a closure member for closing the surrounding skin area from which the removable skin portion is excised, the closure member being actuable for movement substantially within a closure plane, wherein actuation of the closure member occurs at a predetermined time which is at least one of during and after excision of the removable skin portion; wherein the blade motion plane and the closure plane are positioned to extend substantially parallel to the skin surface.