Lipomatrix Incorporated

Other

Mcghan Medical Corporation

Winston A Andrews

Terry R Knapp

Gloria R Dumlao

Thomas Lawrence Monsees

Terry Russell Knapp

David Nelson

Pierre Comte

Richard W Novy

A filler material for a surgically implantable prosthesis comprised of a synthetic triglyceride having a viscosity substantially greater than that of naturally occurring triglycerides is provided. The triglyceride composition is formed of saturated alkyl chains to reduce or limit the potential for oxidation of the alkyl chains to form peroxide groups which adversely affect the biocompatibility of the filler material and the implant. Preferably, the filler material has a viscosity substantially the equivalent of a normal human breast. The synthetic triglyceride filler material may also have a lower viscosity which is a liquid at room temperature for use in inflatable devices. Prostheses containing filler material having the desired viscosity and antioxidation characteristics are also provided as well as a method for preparing the filler material.

Method of making a synthetic triglyceride filler material

Synthetic triglyceride filler material for surgically implanted prostheses

The invention relates to a tissue implant having visco-elastic characteristics which simulate the natural tissue that is intended to be augmented or replaced. The implant is comprised of a shell or envelope enclosing a compound foam body and a fluid filler material. Both the foam body and the fluid filler are should be biocompatible and preferably are substantially radiolucent using standard mammographic materials and protocols. The compound foam body is of elastomeric cellular foam materials. Intercellular communication of the fluid filler provides a hydraulic mechanism for imparting shape and tissue-like consistency to the implant. The compound foam body has multiple regions, each region having a different cellular density, for simulating the tactile characteristics of the natural tissue that the implant is intended to augment or replace. The implant may also have a cavity in the compound foam body configured for providing a hydraulic reservoir for the fluid filler. The resiliency of the compound foam body permits realistic elastic deformation, in response to external pressure, and 'rebound' following such deformation.

Hydraulic foam tissue implant

A passive transponder may be encoded with a number or code of up to 64 binary bits and then mounted to virtually any prosthesis implanted in a human, such as a breast implant. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's manufacturer and use for medical as well as legal reasons.

Implant with transponder marker

A method for forming an open cell texturized surface in a silicone elastomer layer of a breast implant, or other medical implant, is created by forming a layer of uncured silicone elastomer, applying a coating of particles to the surface thereof, and curing the layer by heating it at an elevated temperature which also volatilizes the particles such that their constituent gases boil through the surface of the layer and create the texturing.

Implantable prosthesis with open cell textured surface and method for

An atherectomy catheter including an expandable cutter head having spaced apart blades radially extending from a cutter sleeve at a leading end of the cutter head. A torque tube is attached to and surrounds the blades at an expanding end of the cutter head opposite the leading end. An expander cable is attached to a bushing within the cutter head adjacent to the cutter sleeve and blades with the expander tube axially displaceable through the torque tube. A guide wire slidably extends through the bushing and expander tube. A guiding catheter substantially encloses the torque tube with the torque tube rotatable and axially displaceable within the guiding catheter, to rotate the cutter head as it engages a blockage in a blood vessel, An inflatable low pressure balloon around the torque tube applies a bio-active agent directly to tissues of the blood vessel cut during atherectomy. A stent with bio-active agent promotes healing of the vessel.

Atherectomy catheter

Implant with electrical transponder marker

An atherectomy catheter including an expandable cutter head having spaced apart blades radially extending from a cutter sleeve at a leading end of the cutter head. A torque tube is attached to and surrounds the blades at an expanding end of the cutter head opposite the leading end. An expander cable is attached to a bushing within the cutter head adjacent to the cutter sleeve and blades with the expander tube axially displaceable through the torque tube. A guidewire slidably extends through the bushing and expander tube. A guiding catheter substantially encloses the torque tube with the toruqe tube rotatable and axially displaceable within the guiding catheter, to rotate the cutter head as it engages a blockage in a blood vessel.

Growing community of inventors

Danville, CA, United States of America

Winston A Andrews