Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for stretching the skin between the fingers of a syndactyly includes first and second upper members, and first and second lower members. Means are provided for adjustably spreading the first and second upper members relative to each other and for adjustably spreading the first and second lower members relative to each other. A first plurality of wires, configured to pierce the skin of the syndactyly and to translate force to bones of the first finger, are connected to the first upper member and to the first lower member. Likewise a similar second plurality of wires are connected to the second upper member and to the second lower member. A method for stretching the skin of the syndactyly includes inserting the first plurality of wires through the skin of the syndactyly between the first and second fingers adjacent the bones of the first finger. The second plurality of wires are inserted similarly adjacent the bones of the second finger. The first plurality of wires is connected to the first upper and lower members, and the second plurality of wires is connected to the second upper and lower members. The first plurality of wires are slowly spread relative to the second plurality of wires such that the first and second plurality of wires spread apart the respective bones of the first and second fingers, thereby stretching the skin of the syndactyly.

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First Claim