# US 12,004,909 B2 · Rigidifying brace > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,909 B2 - Document ID: US12004909B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/082,621 - Filed: 2022-12-16 - Published: 2023-04-20 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-04 - Assignees: Lipocosm, LLC - Applicants: Lipocosm, LLC - Inventors: Roger K. Khouri; Khalil R. Khouri; Thomas Morgan Biggs, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004909B2 ## CPC - A61B 90/02: {Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue (implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00)} - A41C 3/0064: {for medical use or surgery} - A61F 2/52: Mammary prostheses (brassieres with stiffening or bust-forming inserts A41C3/10, A41C3/14) - A61F 5/03: Corsets or bandages for abdomen, teat or breast support, with or without pads - A61F 5/05833: {Splints rigidified by vacuum evacuation} - A61F 13/145: {specially adapted for the female anatomy} - A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure} - A61H 9/0057: {Suction (suction kneading A61H7/008)} - A61H 2009/0064: {suction by releasing a flexible cup after deformation, i.e. without further vacuum source} - A61H 2201/1238: with hydraulic or pneumatic drive - A61H 2201/1619: Thorax - A61H 2201/1645: contoured to fit the user - A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces - A61H 2201/169: Physical characteristics of the surface, e.g. material, relief, texture or indicia - A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors - A61H 2205/082: Breasts - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A41C: CORSETS; BRASSIERES - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A brace for retaining an organ of an individual in an expanded state comprising: an inner layer; an outer layer; and at least one sheet of paper forming a middle layer between the inner layer; and outer layer, the at least one sheet of paper being enclosed and configured to rigidify upon application of a vacuum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein each sheet of the least one sheet of paper has a thickness of about 0.001 inches. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of paper is moldable to a contour of a patient's body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1 where the at least one sheet of paper is composed of multiple interweaved elongated strips restrained at the periphery and freely movable past each other prior to vacuum application. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of paper is smooth and devoid of irregularities on its surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of paper is soft and malleable prior to application of vacuum. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of paper is crimpled, wrinkled, and/or pre-folded. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of paper comprises a plurality of sheets of paper having a combined thickness of between about 5 mm to about 6 mm prior to rigidifying by vacuum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the paper is translucent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is configured to adhere to the organ using one or more of surface tension, vacuum or adhesive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, further comprising a port configured for applying the vacuum to the middle layer through at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer and tubing communicating with the port, the tubing having a plurality of perforations and extending into the middle layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, further comprising an interposed padding layer connecting the inner layer to the patient skin, the padding configured to evenly contact the organ and provide a buffer between the inner layer and organ to limit imprint of wrinkles on a skin of the patient. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the outer layer has a rim about at least a portion of its periphery and the brace further comprises an adhesive sheet placed over a least a portion of the rim and extending laterally outwardly from the rim for attaching and providing an air tight seal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The brace of claim 1, wherein the outer layer has a rim about at least a portion of its periphery and the rim is a gel filled bladder with an adhesive outer layer for providing an air tight seal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the adhesive is outside an area of where vacuum is applied between the inner layer and skin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the cover is removable and replaceable by another cover. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, wherein the tubing has a non-linear configuration. ### Claim 18 A device for retaining an organ of an individual in an expanded state comprising: an inner layer; an outer layer having a rim about at least a portion of a periphery; and at least one or more components forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one or more components being enclosed and configured to rigidify upon application of a vacuum; and a cover attached to a least a portion of the rim of the outer layer, the cover having an adhesive and extending radially outwardly from the rim to adhesively attach to a skin of the individual such that it can maintain a vacuum seal that holds the organ in the expanded state without an adhesive between the skin and device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, wherein the inner surface of the cover is covered by peel away layer of material. ### Claim 20 A device for retaining an organ of an individual in an expanded state comprising: an inner layer; an outer layer; and at least one or more components forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, with at least one or more components being enclosed and configured to rigidify upon application of a vacuum, the application of vacuum forcefully reduces the radial thickness of the one or more components of the middle layer; and a tubing positioned within the middle layer, the tubing having a plurality of openings for applying vacuum to the middle layer to rigidify the one or more components.