Methods and apparatus for inhibiting scar formation

Abstract

Scar formation is inhibited by simultaneously applying a vertical force and a lateral compression to the wound site during the healing process. Apparatus for applying such simultaneous forces comprise a backing and a tissue displacement device. The backing holds the tissue displacement device over the wound. The tissue displacement device may be expanded to both apply the vertical force against the wound and to draw the backing radially or laterally inward to apply the desired compression forces to the wound.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting scar formation in a healing wound on a skin surface, said method comprising applying a downward force on the healing wound while simultaneously applying a lateral compression force to tissue across the wound. 
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the forces are applied at a time beginning from 1 day to 30 days after the wound began to heal. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the forces are applied for a period of time in the range from 1 day to 21 days. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein the force is increased at least once during said period of time. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein the force is deceased at least once during said period of time. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein applying the vertically downward force comprises attaching a tissue displacement device on the skin surface and then actuating the tissue displacement device to apply said vertically downward force. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein attaching comprises securing a backing to tissue on either side of the healing wound and raising a center of the backing with the tissue displacement device to draw the sides of the backing laterally inwardly after the backing has been secured. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein attaching comprises wrapping a backing around a limb, torso, or abdomen which comprises the skin surface and healing wound and raising a portion of the backing over the wound with the displacement device to draw the sides of the backing inwardly. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the tissue displacement device comprises a balloon having a relatively non-distensible bottom surface which is applied against the wound and a relatively distensible top surface which inflates upwardly to raise the backing. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the tissue displacement device comprises a balloon having a relatively non-distensible bottom surface which is applied against the wound and a relatively distensible top surface which inflates upwardly to raise the backing. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the tissue displacement device comprises a spring element that can be depressed to provide a convex surface which engages and applies force to the wound. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the tissue displacement device comprises a spring element that can be depressed to provide a convex surface which engages and applies force to the wound. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for inhibiting scar formation in a healing wound on a skin surface, said apparatus comprising:
 an expandable structure with a relatively non-distensible bottom surface for engaging the wound and a relatively distensible top surface which moves upwardly away from the bottom surface when actuated; and   a backing having two lateral regions adapted to adhere to skin on opposites of the wound and a central section adapted to cover the expandable structure when placed over the wound;   wherein expansion of the expandable structure causes the lower surface to apply downward pressure against the wound and adjacent tissue and simultaneously causes the top surface to rise and draw the lateral regions of the backing inwardly to laterally compress the tissue adjacent the wound.   
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the expandable structure is inflatable. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as in  claim 14 , wherein the inflatable structure has a flexible lower surface and an elastomeric upper surface so that the upper surface deforms and moves away from the lower surface while the lower surface remains dimensionally stable as the structure is inflated. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein the inflatable structure has a D-shaped profile when inflated. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein at least the lateral regions of the backing are non-distensible. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the entire backing is non-distensible. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the lateral regions each have an adhesive surface which adheres to the skin. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the expanded structure comprises a plurality of segments joined along a line, where the segments are displaceable relative to each other to allow the structure to conform to a long wound. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as in  claim 20 , wherein each segment is held onto the skin by a separate backing. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the expandible structure comprises a spring element that can be depressed to provide a convex surface which engages and applies force to the wound. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein a bottom surface of the expandible structure is coated with a drug.