Methods of creating a textured breast implant
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorsRobert NIETO, Zachary DOMINGUEZ
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for texturing surgical implants, for example, breast implants, are provided. The methods include applying a tacky layer onto an implant shell, creating a micrometer-scale pattern of sacrificial material on the tacky layer, and thereafter, removing the sacrificial material from the tacky layer to obtain a textured layer. Multiple textured layers can be formed on the implant shell. Further, the micrometer-scale pattern can be formed using a printing mechanism and a 3D printing technique, such as a solid freeform fabrication or a layer manufacturing technique.
Claims20
A method for creating a textured breast implant shell using sacrificial material, the method comprising:
- creating a first layer of a micrometer-scale pattern of the sacrificial material on a breast implant shell via a three-dimensional printing process;
- applying a binder to the first layer;
- creating a second micrometer-scale pattern of an additional amount of the sacrificial material on the first layer via a three-dimensional printing process;
- and
- removing the sacrificial material from the breast implant shell to obtain a textured surface, the textured surface being configured to permit ingrowth of cells into the breast implant shell.
A method for creating a textured breast implant shell having a plurality of textured layers thereon, method comprising repeatedly, for each textured layer, performing the steps of:
- applying a tacky layer onto the breast implant shell;
- creating a micrometer-scale pattern of sacrificial material on the tacky layer;
- curing the tacky layer;
- and
- removing the sacrificial material from the tacky layer to obtain a textured layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.