Patent ID: 8197506

Claim:
A wound closure system adapted for closing a wound, said wound closure system comprising: (a) a first bandage, comprising an open pocket portion thereof, configured to adhesively affix adjacent to a first edge of the wound, said open pocket portion of said first bandage facing away from said wound; (b) a second bandage, comprising an open pocket portion thereof, configured to adhesively affix adjacent to a second opposite edge of the wound, said second wound edge opposing said first wound edge and said open pocket portion of said second bandage facing away from said wound, said first bandage and said second bandage separated from each other on opposite sides of the wound; (c) a forceps device comprising a first leg adapted to fit within said open pocket portion of said first bandage and a second leg adapted to fit within said open pocket portion of said second bandage; (d) the forceps device further includes a locking mechanism adapted to hold said first and second legs in position when they are drawn together by closing said forceps device, thereby approximating the first edge of the wound to the second edge of the wound while the first bandage and the second bandage remain separated from each other without a mechanical connection above the wound other than by said forceps device.