IMPLANTABLE PROSTHESIS FOR PERIAREOLAR MASTOPEXY

• US 20080154366A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Frank
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Frank
• Inventors: Frank, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,998,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis for use in periareolar mastopexy. The prosthesis may constructed of a prosthetic or biological mesh material, or a biodegradable/resorbable material, and may be either annular or frusto-conical in shape. An aperture of the prosthesis is sized to surround an areola upon implantation. The prosthesis may include a plurality of teeth, extending outwardly from a top surface of the prosthesis, and canted generally towards an apex of the prosthesis. The implantable prosthesis permits a resorbable, rather than a nonresorbable suture to be used in the periareolar mastopexy procedure.

Claims

1. An implantable prosthesis for use in periareolar mastopexy, the implantable thesis having an aperture sized to surround an areola of a breast.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the implantable prosthesis is annular in shape.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the implantable prosthesis is frusto-conical in shape.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the implantable prosthesis is constructed from a prosthetic mesh material.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein the prosthetic mesh material comprises polypropylene.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the implantable prosthesis includes at least one surface of a chemically inert material.

7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the chemically inert material is selected from the group comprising polytetrafluoroethylene and silicone.

8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the implantable prosthesis is constructed from a biological mesh material.

9. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the biological mesh material is of human donor origin.

10. The invention according to claim 8, wherein the biological mesh material is of porcine origin.

11. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the implantable prosthesis has a top surface, and at least one tine extending from the top surface.

12. The invention according to claim 11, wherein the at least one tine is constructed from a resorbable material.

13. The invention according to claim 12, wherein the resorbable material is a polylactide polymer.

14. The invention according to claim 11, wherein the at least one tine is canted towards a geometric center of the implantable prosthesis.

15. The invention according to claim 11, wherein the at least one tine comprises a plurality of tines.

16. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the implantable prosthesis further comprises at least one defined area of weakness.

17. The invention according to claim 16, wherein the at least one defined area of weakness comprises at least one aperture disposed through a surface of the implantable prosthesis.

18. A method for performing periareolar mastopexy, comprising:

excising a region of skin surrounding an areola of a breast;

providing an implantable prosthesis having an aperture sized to surround the areola;

placing the implantable prosthesis upon the excised region of skin, with the aperture surrounding the areola;

stitching a pursestring suture proximate skin surrounding an outer edge of the excised region of skin; and

cinching the pursestring suture to draw skin surrounding the outer edge of the excised region of the skin towards the areola and the implantable prosthesis.

19. The method according to claim 18, further including the step of tacking skin surrounding the outer edge of the excised region of skin to the implantable prosthesis.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the pursestring suture comprises a resorbable suture.

21. A kit comprising a plurality of implantable prostheses for use in periareolar mastopexy, each of the implantable prostheses having an aperture and an outer circumference, at least one of the implantable prostheses of the kit differing in at least one of aperture size, outer circumference size, and thickness, relative to another implantable prosthesis in the kit.