MINIMALLY INVASIVE TISSUE SUPPORT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device, for use in supporting a tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising;
- a support member, adapted to engage at least a portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end, the support member further comprising a plurality of support elements; and
first and second suspension members, the first suspension member being coupled to the first end of the support member, the second suspension member being coupled to the second end of the support member;
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to be secured to a location in the patient'"'"'s body;
wherein the plurality of support elements is configured to distribute a load, from the tissue engaged by the support member, imposed on the support member; and
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to transmit a force through the support member, the force effective to move the engaged portion of the tissue from a first position to a second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of apparatus and methods for tissue lifting, or for correcting a ptosis condition caused by tissue stretching, are described. In some embodiments a tissue is supported by a support member. In some embodiments, tension is applied to a support member through at least one suspension member. The described embodiments provide examples of methods and apparatus effective for use in lifting or otherwise applying tension to various tissues, including tissues of the breast, buttock, thigh, arm, abdomen, neck and face.
344 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A device, for use in supporting a tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising;
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a support member, adapted to engage at least a portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end, the support member further comprising a plurality of support elements; and
first and second suspension members, the first suspension member being coupled to the first end of the support member, the second suspension member being coupled to the second end of the support member;
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to be secured to a location in the patient'"'"'s body;
wherein the plurality of support elements is configured to distribute a load, from the tissue engaged by the support member, imposed on the support member; and
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to transmit a force through the support member, the force effective to move the engaged portion of the tissue from a first position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device, for use in supporting a tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising;
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a support member, adapted to engage at least a portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end, a second end, and an inflatable portion therebetween;
wherein, upon inflation, the inflatable portion is effective to increase an apparent volume of the tissue;
first and second suspension members, the first suspension member being coupled to the first end of the support member, and the second suspension member being coupled to the second end of the support member;
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to be secured to a location in the patient'"'"'s body;
wherein the support member is configured to distribute a load imposed on the support member from the tissue engaged by the support member; and
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to transmit a force through the support member, the force effective to move the engaged portion of the tissue from a first position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A device, for use in supporting tissue, comprising;
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a support member, adapted to engage at least a portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end;
wherein the support member is configured to distribute a load imposed on the support member from the tissue engaged by the support member; and
first and second suspension members, the first suspension member being coupled to the first end of the support member and the second suspension member being coupled to the second end of the support member;
wherein at least one suspension member is configured to be secured to a location at least about 5 cm away from the engaged portion of the tissue;
wherein at least one of the first suspension member, the second suspension member, and the support member comprises an elastic element;
wherein at least one of the first and second suspension members is configured to transmit a force through the support member, the force effective to move the engaged portion of the tissue from a first position to a second position; and
wherein the elastic element is configured to permit movement of the engaged portion of the tissue from the second position toward the first position. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A device, for use in supporting a tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising;
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a support member, adapted to engage at least a portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end;
wherein the support member is configured to distribute a load imposed on the support member from the tissue engaged by the support member;
first and second suspension members, the first suspension member being coupled to the first end of the support member, and the second suspension member being coupled to the second end of the support member; and
a disconnect member, configured to release tension in the suspension member when a load on the device exceeds a threshold load;
wherein at least one of the suspension members is configured to be secured to a location in the patient'"'"'s body; and
wherein at least one of the suspension members is configured to transmit a force through the support member, the force effective to move an engaged portion of the tissue of the patient from a first position to a second position. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A device, for use in supporting a tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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an elongate suspension member, having a first end and a second end, and a length extending therebetween;
wherein the suspension member is configured to engage, and exert traction on, a tissue, resulting in the tissue moving from a first position to a second position;
wherein at least a portion of suspension member is configured to shorten along the length of the suspension member in response to delivery of an energy to the suspension member;
wherein the suspension member further comprises at least one engagement member, configured to engage at least a portion of the tissue;
an elongate energy delivery member, coupled to at least a portion of the suspension member;
wherein at least a portion of the elongate energy delivery member extends alongside at least a portion of the length of the suspension member; and
wherein the elongate energy delivery member is configured to deliver the energy to the suspension member. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method, for supporting a breast in a body of a patient, comprising:
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providing a supporting device having a first end, a second end, and a support member positioned between the first end and second end;
advancing the first end of the supporting device into a breast, through a first incision that is located on one of a medial and a lateral side of the breast;
withdrawing the first end of the supporting device from the breast through a second incision, located on the other of the medial and the lateral side of the breast, until the support member is positioned within breast tissue between the first incision and second incision;
advancing the first end of the supporting device, from a position within the breast adjacent the second incision, to a first location, and the second end of the supporting device, from a position within the breast adjacent the first incision, to a second location;
wherein both of the first and second locations are superior to the first and second incisions;
drawing the breast tissue toward the first and second locations; and
anchoring the first and second ends of the supporting device at the first and second locations, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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51. A method, for supporting a tissue in a body of a patient, comprising:
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placing a supporting device into the body, the supporting device comprising;
a support member, adapted to engage at least a portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end;
wherein the support member is configured to distribute a load imposed on the support member from the tissue engaged by the support member;
at least one suspension member coupled to the support member;
engaging the at least a portion of the tissue with the support member;
applying tension to the at least one suspension member, thereby moving the engaged portion of the tissue from a first position to a second position;
securing the at least one suspension member to a location in the body, such that the engaged portion of the tissue is effectively maintained in the second position; and
inflating at least a portion of the supporting device to increase an apparent volume of the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (52)
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53. A method, for supporting a tissue in a body of a patient, comprising:
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placing a supporting device into the body, the supporting device comprising;
a support member, adapted to engage at least portion of a tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end;
wherein the support member is configured to distribute a load imposed on the support member from the tissue engaged by the support member; and
at least one suspension member coupled to the support member;
placing the support member so as to effectively engage at least a portion of the tissue;
applying tension to the at least one suspension member, thereby moving the engaged portion of the tissue from a first position to a second position;
securing the at least one suspension member to a location in the body, such that the engaged portion of the tissue is effectively maintained substantially in the second position; and
wherein the supporting device is configured, in response to a load that exceeds a threshold, to release tension in the at least one suspension member. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56)
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57. A method, for use in supporting breast tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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providing a support member, adapted to engage breast tissue, the support member comprising a first end and a second end;
wherein the support member is configured to distribute a load imposed on the support member from the breast tissue engaged by the support member; and
providing first and second suspension members, the first suspension member being coupled to the first end of the support member and the second suspension member being coupled to the second end of the support member;
wherein, when implanted, the first suspension member, extends superiorly from the first end of the support member, and the second suspension member, extends superiorly from the second end of the support member;
anchoring the first suspension member at a first location, and the second suspension member at a second location;
wherein the first and second locations are located superiorly to the engaged breast tissue;
wherein a distance between the first and second locations is greater than a greatest distance between the first and second ends of the support member.
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58. A method, for use in supporting a tissue in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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providing an elongate suspension member, having a first end and a second end, and a length extending therebetween;
wherein the suspension member is configured to engage, and exert traction on, a tissue, resulting in the tissue moving from a first position to a second position;
wherein at least a portion of suspension member is configured to shorten along the length of the suspension member in response to delivery of an energy to the suspension member;
wherein the suspension member further comprises at least one engagement member, configured to engage at least a portion of the tissue;
providing an elongate energy delivery member, coupled to at least a portion of the suspension member;
wherein at least a portion of the energy delivery member extends alongside at least a portion of the length of the suspension member; and
wherein the energy delivery member is configured to deliver the energy to the suspension member;
delivering the energy to the energy delivery member, thereby shortening the suspension member. - View Dependent Claims (59)
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Specification