Method of fabricating a moisture-expandable prosthesis
AssigneeXomed, Inc.
InventorRaymond H. Haerr
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hollow-cylindrical tube of dehydrated, regenerated cellulose sponge material is tightly compressed to provide an elongate member of minimal diameter having sufficient rigidity to be inserted endwise into a body opening where it will, when moistened, expand radially whereby to substantially engage the inner peripheral walls of the opening for securing it against accidental or unintentional dislodgement therefrom. When used in association with an ear canal an axial opening through the expanded member permits sound waves to reach the ear drum.
Claims6
A method of fabricating an elongate, dehydrated, moisture-expandable prosthesis from a length of expanded, dehydrated, regenerated, cellulose sponge material, which comprises:
- forming the expanded, dehydrated, regenerated, cellulose sponge material into a hollow cylinder, the ends of which are connected together by the open bore extending axially through the hollow cylinder;
- applying radial compressive forces to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder to compact same and to reduce the diameter thereof without substantially altering its overall length;
- and substantially closing said open bore when said radial compressive forces are applied to said cylinder so that upon expansion, said cylinder will reassume a hollow configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.