Device for facilitating molding of breast implant shells
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorJames A. Harders
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for molding, more specifically demolding, elastomeric breast implant shells is provided. The system generally includes a molding device having a mandrel having a form generally of a breast implant shell and a mandrel rod, couplable to the mandrel. A fluid flow port is provided which is alternately disposable in a concealed position and an exposed position upon rotation of the mandrel rod. When a liquid elastomer coating on the mandrel is cured, the fluid flow port is rotated into the exposed position which allows it to pass air between the cured coating and the molding surface, thereby facilitating disengagement and demolding of the shell from the mandrel.
Claims17
A device for molding elastomeric breast implant shells, the device comprising:
- a mandrel having a receiving portion and a mold surface having a form generally of a breast implant shell;
- a mandrel rod having a distal region couplable to the mandrel receiving portion;
- and
- a fluid flow port at the distal region of the mandrel rod;
- the device being configured such that the fluid flow port is alternately disposable in a first position and an second position.
A system for molding elastomeric breast implant shells, the system comprising:
- a molding device comprising
- a mandrel having a receiving portion and a mold surface having a form generally of a breast implant shell,
- a mandrel rod, couplable to a fluid source, and including a distal region couplable to the mandrel receiving portion, and
- a fluid flow port at the distal region of the mandrel rod, the fluid flow port being alternately disposable in a first position and a second position upon rotation of the mandrel rod with respect to the mandrel;
- and
- a fluid source couplable to the mandrel rod for supplying fluid to the fluid flow port.
A device for molding elastomeric breast implant shells, the device comprising:
- a mandrel having a receiving portion and a mold surface having a form generally of a breast implant shell;
- a mandrel rod having a distal region couplable to the mandrel receiving portion;
- and
- a fluid flow port at the distal region of the mandrel rod;
- and
- a channel through the mandrel rod and in communication with the fluid flow port and a fluid source;
- the device being configured such that when a flow of fluid is passed from the fluid source and into the channel and out of the fluid flow port, a cured breast implant shell molded on the mandrel inflate and become disengaged from the mandrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.