The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
May. 13, 1999
L. Daniel Eaton, Little Rock, AR (US);
Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR (US);
Abstract
A flexible, seamless tissue expanding implant with predetermined memory shape to augment tissue for accurate anatomical restoration for alloplastic reconstruction. The implant is a hollow shape formed from a material that tends to resume its molded shape even when collapsed and when reinflated resumes the desired shape. A minimal incision is made in the patient. From the incision a pocket is formed under the skin of the patient. The pocket is sized to hold the implant, which is inserted, in a collapsed deflated condition. The incision is then closed and allowed to heal. The implant is provided with a one-way, self-sealing valve for periodic inflation. The one-way valve is a latex plug encapsulated with silastic and incorporated into the implant. The valve can be palpated by the surgeon so that inflation can be performed with the implant in place by inserting a hypodermic needle through the skin of the patient, through the valve and into the interior of the implant. The implant is injected with the filling material at periodic intervals so that the tissue is gradually expanded to the appropriate extent. Since the implant has previously been formed into the desired shape, the implant gradually assumes the predetermined shape as it is filled. Therefore, the tissue likewise assumes the desired shape and predetermined volume augmenting the deficient anatomy predictably.