Implantable prostheses for tissue expansion
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. SCHUESSLER, Steven A. SCHULTZ
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Abstract
A device can be used for both tissue expansion within a body of a patient as well as a permanently implanted prosthesis. Such a device can include an expandable elastomeric matrix and granules of a solute embedded within the matrix. The matrix can define boundaries of a plurality of chambers within the matrix. The device, when implanted within the body of the patient, can be exposed to fluid within the patient to create an osmotic gradient across a boundary of the device. Based on the gradient, fluid permeates the elastomer and gradually expands the chambers. The rate of expansion can be programmed to allow the body to naturally adapt to the volume, which increases until achieving a target volume in an expanded state.
Claims23
A device for implanting into a body of a living subject, the device comprising:
- an expandable elastomeric matrix and granules of a solute embedded within the matrix, wherein the matrix defines boundaries of a plurality of chambers within the matrix, wherein the boundaries are permeable to water at a temperature of between 35° C. and 41° C.
A method of implanting an expandable device, the method comprising:
- implanting the device, in a collapsed state, within a living subject, wherein the device comprises an expandable elastomeric matrix and granules of a solute embedded within the matrix, wherein the matrix defines boundaries of a plurality of chambers within the matrix;
- and
- permitting the device to be exposed to fluid within the living subject to create an osmotic gradient across a boundary of the device, whereby the fluid permeates the elastomer and expands the chambers.
A method of manufacturing an expandable implant device, the method comprising:
- mixing granules of a solute with an elastomer;
- forming a matrix with the elastomer and granules embedded within the elastomer, the elastomer defining boundaries of a plurality of chambers within the matrix;
- and
- curing the elastomer, such that the boundaries of the matrix are permeable to water at a temperature of between 35° C. and 41° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.