Sutureless device and method for closing a tissue opening

Abstract

A sutureless device and methods for closing a tissue opening that minimizes the labor, cost, and skill typically required is disclosed. The apparatus comprises two anchors that attach to either side of an open tissue wound. The two anchors are connected together by a tie strip; the tie strip has a plurality of teeth and a rack. As the wound edges and anchors are brought together the ratchet system on the tie strip prevents the anchors and tissue wound from reopening. To control the distance between the two anchors, a rack and pinion system and a key or a lever system is utilized. The rack is located on the tie strip and the pinion is located on the key.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue closing device comprising:
 a receiving base having a receiving body;   an anchor base having a tie strip comprising a plurality of teeth and a rack, the tie strip receivable within the receiving body;   the receiving body having a slide port and a pawl extending into the slide port;   a key having a pinion, the pinion corresponding to the rack on the tie strip;   wherein rotational motion to the key causes the rack on the tie strip to move relative to the pinion, thereby translating the rotational motion of the pinion into linear motion of the tie strip and the anchor base, such that the distance between the anchor base and the receiving base decreases; the teeth and the pawl maintains the distance between the anchor base and receiving base.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue closing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler that connects two or more tissue closing devices, forming an array. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue closing device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue closing device comprises an arc shape. 
     
     
         4 . A tissue closing device comprising:
 an anchor base and a receiving base each curved to conform to a shape of a body part;   the receiving base having a receiving body;   the anchor base comprising a tie strip having a plurality of teeth, and a rack; wherein the tie strip connects with the anchor base;   the receiving body comprising a pawl for engaging with the teeth on the tie strip;   
     
     
         5 . The tissue closing device of  claim 4 , further comprising a releasable key having a pinion corresponding with the rack on the tie strip; wherein rotational motion to the key causes the rack on the tie strip to move relative to the pinion, thereby translating the rotational motion of the pinion into linear motion of the tie strip and the anchor base, such that the distance between the anchor base and the receiving base decreases. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue closing device of  claim 4 , further comprising a lever having a lever clasp, wherein movement of the lever causes the lever clasp to engage with the teeth or the rack and thereby move the tie strip and anchor base in relation to the receiving base.