# US 7,744,915 B2 · Apparatus and method for preventing adhesions between an implant and surrounding tissues

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- Number: US 7,744,915 B2
- Document ID: US7744915B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/653,064
- Filed: 2007-01-12
- Published: 2007-05-24
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2002-07-31
- Assignees: MAST Biosurgery AG
- Inventors: Christopher J. Calhoun; Ralph E. Holmes; G. Bryan Cornwall
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744915B2

## CPC

- A61C 8/0012: {characterised by the material or composition, e.g. ceramics, surface layer, metal alloy (use of specific materials A61K6/00)}
- A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue}
- A61C 8/0016: {polymeric material}
- A61L 27/34: Macromolecular materials
- A61L 31/10: Macromolecular materials
- A61N 1/375: Constructional arrangements, e.g. casings
- A61N 1/37512: {Pacemakers}
- A61B 17/06166: {Sutures (suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M)}
- A61B 17/0642: {for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone}
- A61B 17/70: Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
- A61B 17/80: Cortical plates {, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates}
- A61B 17/86: Pins or screws {or threaded wires; nuts therefor (A61B17/72 take precedence)}
- A61B 2090/0816: {for preventing adhesion}
- A61F 2/12: Mammary prostheses
- A61F 2/2846: {Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects (nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006)}
- A61F 2002/009: {for hindering or preventing attachment of biological tissue}
- A61F 2002/2817: {Bone stimulation by chemical reactions or by osteogenic or biological products for enhancing ossification, e.g. by bone morphogenetic or morphogenic proteins [BMP] or by transforming growth factors [TGF]}
- A61F 2002/2835: {Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material}
- A61F 2002/30064: {Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of biodegradable material}
- A61F 2002/30932: {for retarding or preventing ingrowth of bone tissue}
- A61F 2002/4631: {the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented}
- A61F 2310/00353: Bone cement, e.g. polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA
- A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- 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)

## Abstract

An anti-adhesion membrane is placed onto an implant introduced into a surgical site of a patient to prevent post-surgical adhesions between the implant and surrounding tissue. The implant may comprise either biological material, such as a transplanted organ, or non-biological material such as a medical device. The membrane may be applied in a variety of ways. In one example, a membrane according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped around a pace-maker. In another example, a breast implant is spray-coated or dipped with the membrane material.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus, comprising: an implant comprising a transplanted organ and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane comprising a substantially planar membrane having a first substantially smooth side and second substantially smooth side and being heat-shrunk over the exterior surface of the implant; wherein the substantially planar membrane is substantially non-porous and comprise a polymer base material selected from the group consisting essentially of: a lactide polymer; and a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biological implant comprises grafting material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the implant comprises a non-biological body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the non-biological body comprises a medical device selected from the group consisting of bone graft substitutes, bone cement, tissue glues and adhesives, bone fixation members, defibrillators, eye spheres, sutures, staples, cochlear implants, pumps, artificial organs, non-resorbable membranes, bone growth stimulators, neurological stimulators, dental implants, guided tissue and guided bone regeneration membranes, eyelid weights and tympanostomy tubes.

### Claim 5

An apparatus, comprising: an implant configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane comprising a layer of resorbable polymer base material having a substantially uniform composition, consisting essentially of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of a lactide polymer and a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters, and comprising a heat-shrunk disposition around the implant.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the membrane comprises a single layer of resorbable polymer base material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the single layer of resorbable material has a thickness between about 10 microns and about 100 microns.

### Claim 8

An apparatus, comprising: an implant comprising a fluid-filled implantable prosthesis and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane being heat-shrunk over the exterior of surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the fluid-filled implantable prosthesis comprises a breast implant.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the breast implant comprises a saline-type implant in a silicone casing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 3)

The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the non-biological body comprises a pacemaker.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polymer base material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a lactide polymer and a copolymer of two or more lactides.