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US 8,377,127 B2Granted
Self-sealing shell for inflatable prostheses
AssigneeAllergan, Inc.
InventorDavid J. Schuessler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-sealing shell useful as a component of a soft fluid-filled prosthetic implant is provided. The shell is at least partly constructed of a wall made of a colloid of an elastomeric polymer matrix and particles of a water-soluble material distributed therein.
Claims9
A shell for an inflatable mammary implant, the shell comprising:
- an inflatable envelope at least a portion of which comprises a wall comprising a mixture of a polymeric elastomer component and solid, water soluble salt particles dispersed throughout and occupying enclosed spaces in the polymeric elastomer component;
- wherein, when the wall is contacted with an aqueous fluid, the water soluble salt particles at least partially dissolve and cause expansion of the enclosed spaces such that the wall becomes self-sealing to a needle puncture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.