Apparatus and method for preventing adhesions between an implant and surrounding tissues
OwnerChristopher J. Calhoun, Ralph E. Homes +1inventors
InventorsChristopher J. Calhoun, Ralph E. Homes, G. Bryan Comwall
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Abstract
An anti-adhesion membrane is placed onto an implant introduced into a surgical site of a patient to prevent post-surgical adhesions between the implant and surrounding tissue. The implant may comprise either biological material, such as a transplanted organ, or non-biological material such as a medical device. The membrane may be applied in a variety of ways. In one example, a membrane according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped around a pace-maker. In another example, a breast implant is spray-coated or dipped with the membrane material.
Claims18
A method of forming an implant, comprising:
- providing a non-porous, resorbable polymer base material;
- and
- applying the resorbable polymer base material in a form of a resorbable membrane to an implant to thereby envelop substantially all of the implant, wherein the resorbable membrane is substantially non-porous and comprises a layer of polymer base material consisting essentially of one or more of:
- a lactide polymer;
- and/or
- a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters.
A method of forming an implant, comprising:
- providing a non-porous, resorbable polymer base material;
- and
- applying the resorbable polymer base material in a form of a resorbable membrane around an implant to thereby cover substantially all exposed surfaces of the implant, wherein the implant comprises mammalian tissue and the resorbable membrane is substantially non-porous and comprises a layer of polymer base material consisting essentially of one or more of:
- a lactide polymer;
- and/or
- a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters.
A method of forming an implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and surrounding tissue following a surgical procedure in a patient, the method comprising:
- providing a non-porous, resorbable polymer base material;
- and
- applying the resorbable polymer base material in a form of a resorbable membrane around the implant to thereby cover substantially all exposed surfaces of the implant, wherein the implant comprises a medical device and the resorbable membrane is substantially non-porous and comprises a layer of polymer base material consisting essentially of one or more of:
- a lactide polymer;
- and/or
- a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.