Dissolvable septal splint and method of using the same
AssigneeAcoustic Technologies, Inc.
InventorMatthew C. Patterson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A septal splint that does not require surgical removal after implantation. The septal splint is designed to be dissolvable over a period of time, thereby eliminating the need to surgically remove the splint. Preferably, the splint dissolves within four weeks after placement. The dissolvable splint of the invention allows surgeons that provide services to rural and small medical facilities at infrequent intervals, such as once per month, to perform septoplasty procedures without requiring the surgeons to make special arrangements for follow-up visits to remove the splints. Furthermore, the dissolvable splint eliminates the need for a splint removal procedure, which is particularly difficult to perform with children.
Claims18
A septal splint for supporting a nasal septum, comprising:
- a body having first and second side faces and a peripheral edge extending between the first and second side faces, one of said first and second side faces being substantially planar for disposition against the septum, and said body being formed of bioerodable collagen whereby the splint does not have to be surgically removed, wherein the body has first and second side faces and a peripheral edge extending between the first and second side faces, and said peripheral edge includes a curvilinear section with a first end and a second end, and said peripheral edge includes a linear section between the first and second ends, and wherein the body is about 0.25 mm in thickness measured between the first and second side faces.
A method of supporting a nasal septum, comprising:
- providing a pair of septal splints each of which comprises a body having first and second side faces and a peripheral edge extending between the first and second side faces, one of said first and second side faces being substantially planar for disposition against the septum, and each body being formed of bioerodable collagen whereby the splint does not have to be surgically removed, wherein said peripheral edge includes a curvilinear section with a first end and a second end, and said peripheral edge includes a linear section between the first and second ends, and wherein each body is about 0.25 mm in thickness measured between the first and second side faces;
- positioning said septal splints on each side of the nasal septum;
- suturing said septal splints in place with the nasal septum disposed therebetweeen;
- and
- allowing said septal splints to dissolve over a period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.