# US 5,344,450 A · Repair kit for externally worn silicone breast prosthesis

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- Number: US 5,344,450 A
- Document ID: US5344450A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/051,231
- Filed: 1993-04-23
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1991-12-31
- Inventors: Nancy L. Flanders
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344450A

## CPC

- A61F 2/78: Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps or stockings for the limb stump
- A61F 2/52: Mammary prostheses (brassieres with stiffening or bust-forming inserts A41C3/10, A41C3/14)
- A61B 2050/314: {Flexible bags or pouches}
- A61F 2/0059: {Cosmetic or alloplastic implants (A61F2/10 - A61F2/16, A61F2/28 take precedence)}
- A61F 2/0095: {Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants (for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02)}
- A61F 2002/7806: {using adhesive means}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A kit for the repair of damaged prosthetic devices provides for the expeditious and economical repair of such prostheses. The kit is directed primarily to the repair of externally worn silicone gel filled breast prostheses, which prostheses are relatively costly and perhaps more vulnerable to damage than other types. The basic member of the kit is a thin, flexible adhesive backed tape of vinyl or other suitable material, which tape may be stored on a backing sheet. The backing sheets may be in the form of a roll, or alternatively several planar sheets may be included in a relatively flat container for persons who may not be able to conveniently carry a bulky roll. Several shapes and sizes of tapes may be included in a single kit, and different kits may include different coloring, shading and/or texture in order that the user may most closely approximate the proper coloring, shading and/or texture of the damaged prosthesis. However, each of the repair tapes in a given kit are of like coloring, shading and texture in order that all repair tapes in that given kit will closely approximate the coloring, shading and/or texture of the prosthesis for which the repair kit was made.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A kit for repairing an externally worn breast prosthesis, comprising:
an externally worn breast prosthesis, and;
a plurality of differently configured repair tapes being formed of liquid impermeable material and including an outer surface closely approximating the flesh color, shading and texture of said externally worn breast prosthesis and an inner surface having an adhesive coating providing for the adhesive application of said repair tapes to said externally worn breast prosthesis to effect the repairs thereof, whereby
a user of said externally worn breast prosthesis may make emergency repairs to said externally worn breast prosthesis, thereby substantially concealing the damage to said externally worn breast prosthesis with said one of said repair tapes substantially blending and conforming with said flesh color, shading and texture of said externally worn breast prosthesis when damage occurs thereto, without resorting to unsightly tapes, the kit being readily transportable by the user.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A kit as in claim 1, wherein:
said plurality of differently configured repair tapes include at least one repair tape having an elongated ovoid shape, at least one repair tape having a circular shape, and at least one repair tape having an irregular shape, whereby
a variety of differently shaped and sized tears damaging said externally worn prosthesis may be easily and conveniently repaired.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A kit as in claim 1, wherein:
each of said plurality of differently configured repair tapes within each said kit is of like color, shading and texture,
said like color, shading and texture closely approximating said externally worn breast prosthesis in flesh color, shading and texture.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The kit of claim 1 wherein:
said externally worn breast prosthesis comprises an enclosure containing viscous silicone gel therein.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The kit of claim 1 including:
a generally planar container having a resealable opening along one edge and sealed remaining edges;
said container providing for the storage and containment of said at least one planar backing sheet having repair tapes thereon.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The kit of claim 1 further comprising:
a rolled linear backing sheet having a plurality of differently configured repair tapes removably mounted thereon;
said rolled linear backing sheet providing for the storage and containment of said plurality of repair tapes thereon.