Methods for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsScott Whitcup, David Schuessler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Breast reconstruction or augmentation methods are provided which generally include implanting a mammary prosthesis comprising a shell having a self sealing wall and defining an inflatable cavity, inflating the prosthesis by introducing a fluid into the cavity using a cannula inserted percutaneously into the self sealing wall, imaging the procedure to assist with guiding the needle, and repeating the steps of inflating, imaging and allowing tissue and skin to expand, until a desired aesthetic outcome is achieved.
Claims18
A method of augmenting or reconstructing a breast, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a fillable breast prosthesis in a breast, the prosthesis comprising a flexible shell defining an internal cavity;
- imaging the breast having the prosthesis therein;
- introducing a cannula or needle through breast tissue and into the cavity of the prosthesis during the step of imaging;
- guiding the needle or cannula such that a distal tip of the needle or cannula is positioned in the cavity;
- and
- introducing into, or withdrawing a fluid from, the cavity through the distal tip of the needle or cannula during the step of imaging in order to change the volume of the implant in the breast.
A method for implanting an adjustable gel filled mammary prosthesis and for adjusting the size of the prosthesis after implantation comprising the steps of:
- providing a mammary prosthesis comprising a shell having a self sealing wall, the shell defining a cavity for containing a fluid;
- implanting the prosthesis into a breast of a patient;
- percutaneously introducing a distal end of a cannula through the self sealing wall;
- imaging the breast, prosthesis and cannula during the step of percutaneously introducing, to assist in guiding a position of the distal end of the cannula or needle in the cavity;
- introducing a fluid into the cavity through the distal end of the cannula during the step of imaging;
- and
- withdrawing the needle or cannula from the prosthesis and breast.
A breast reconstruction method for a patient who has undergone a mastectomy, the method comprising the steps of:
- implanting a mammary prosthesis comprising a shell having a self sealing wall, the shell defining an inflatable cavity;
- inflating the prosthesis by introducing a fluid into the cavity using a cannula inserted percutaneously into the self sealing wall of the implanted prosthesis;
- imaging the prosthesis during the step of inflating;
- allowing tissue/skin to expand in response to the inflated prosthesis;
- and
- repeating the steps of inflating, imaging and allowing tissue and skin to expand, until a desired aesthetic outcome is achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.