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US 10,864,661 B2Granted
Device and method for making a variable surface breast implant
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsRobert L. Nieto, Claudia Renteria, Phat Ngo, David Schuessler, Dennis Van Epps
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for making a variable textured breast implant when used in conjunction with a breast implant mandrel having a molding surface and a stem depending therefrom.
Claims15
A device for use in molding a variable textured breast implant, the device comprising:
- a breast implant mandrel having a stem depending therefrom;
- and
- a member structured to engage the breast implant mandrel, the member including a base-engaging distal portion and a stem-engaging proximal portion depending from the base-engaging distal portion,
- the base-engaging distal portion comprising a base-engaging surface, the base-engaging surface defining a mating seal between the mandrel as covered with a silicone elastomer and the base-engaging distal portion upon seating the mandrel in the base engaging distal portion, an aperture defined from the base-engaging surface through the member, and a proximally sloping rim circumscribing the base-engaging surface,
- the stem-engaging proximal portion structured to receive the stem of the mandrel seated in the base-engaging distal portion via the aperture, and
- the member providing a barrier for preventing a silicone dispersion and/or texturing particles from contacting a base portion of the seated mandrel when the mandrel is immersed in the silicone dispersion and/or texturing particles for adhering the dispersion and/or particles to an exposed portion of the covered, seated mandrel.
3 more elements
An assembly useful for making a breast implant shell, the assembly comprising:
- a mandrel having a molding surface and a stem depending therefrom;
- a device comprising a member structured to receive a portion of the molding surface and the stem, the member including a base-engaging distal portion and a stem-engaging proximal portion depending from the base-engaging distal portion,
- the base-engaging distal portion comprising a base-engaging surface, the base-engaging surface defining a mating seal between the mandrel as provided with a particle-coated tacky surface and the base-engaging distal portion upon seating the mandrel in the base-engaging distal portion, an aperture defined from the base-engaging surface through the member, and a proximally sloping rim circumscribing the base-engaging surface,
- the stem-engaging proximal portion structured to receive the stem of the mandrel seated in the base-engaging distal portion via the aperture, and
- the member providing a barrier for preventing a silicone dispersion and/or texturing particles from contacting a base portion of the seated mandrel when the mandrel is immersed in the silicone dispersion and/or texturing particles for adhering the dispersion and/or particles to an exposed portion of the particle-coated, seated mandrel.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.