US 12,369,947 B2 · Self-healing balloons

Abstract

A balloon implantation kit includes an inflatable biodegradable balloon configured to be implanted in a human body and a hydrogel composition. In some cases, the hydrogel composition is provided in a container configured to be introduced into the biodegradable balloon. For some applications, the biodegradable balloon includes a joint spacer for treatment of a joint of a human subject, such as a subacromial spacer, a glenohumeral spacer, or a spacer for another joint, such as a knee, hip, ankle, or hand (e.g., CMC1) joint. In these applications, the biodegradable balloon is configured to be inserted into a space of a joint of the human body, and is shaped to provide mechanical support to the joint until the biodegradable balloon resorbs into the human body. For other applications, the biodegradable balloon includes a soft tissue spacer.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An implant comprising:

an inflatable biodegradable balloon including a volume, a hydrogel composition, the hydrogel composition including a hydrogel precursor or a hydrogel, positioned in the volume,
wherein upon formation of a breach through a wall of the balloon when the balloon is implanted at a surgical site including a joint, the hydrogel composition is configured to leak through the breach at a rate less than that of normal saline and react with at least one constituent at the surgical site to at least partially occlude the breach, the breach being formed in the wall of the balloon before complete biodegradation of the balloon at the surgical site,
wherein the hydrogel composition reacting with the at least one constituent at the surgical site to at least partially occlude the breach provides for the inflatable biodegradable balloon to maintain mechanical support to the joint.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-healing balloons

Life of this patent

Self-healing balloons

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20