BIOLOGICAL TISSUE GROWTH THROUGH INDUCED TENSILE STRESS
First Claim
1. A method for promoting human tissue generation, comprising:
- providing a tissue expansion device, said tissue expansion device being expandable between a deflated state and a progressively expanded state and wherein the progressively expanded state forms a convex shape having an interior region and wherein a tissue layer interfacing with the interior region experiences tensile stress promoting tissue growth;
positioning the tissue expansion device in the deflated state over a region of desired tissue growth; and
expanding the tissue expansion device progressively by injecting fluid into the tissue expansion device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tissue expansion device implanted in a non-activated state over a region of desired tissue growth. Once implanted and positioned the device is activated creating a supporting structure that creates a convex shaped dome over the underlying tissue. The convex shaped dome formed by the tissue expansion device places a tensile stress against the underlying tissue that promotes tissue growth. Alone or with the introduction of tissue enhancing agents and/or adipose tissue, new tissue within the convex shaped void grows until a balance is achieved eliminating the induced stress. Periodically the tissue expansion devices is again activated and enlarged creating an even larger void. Again, the newly enlarged void places additional tensile stress on the underlying tissue thus repeating the cycle of new tissue growth. Once the desired amount of tissue growth has been achieved the device is deactivated and removed.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for promoting human tissue generation, comprising:
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providing a tissue expansion device, said tissue expansion device being expandable between a deflated state and a progressively expanded state and wherein the progressively expanded state forms a convex shape having an interior region and wherein a tissue layer interfacing with the interior region experiences tensile stress promoting tissue growth; positioning the tissue expansion device in the deflated state over a region of desired tissue growth; and expanding the tissue expansion device progressively by injecting fluid into the tissue expansion device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for promoting tissue growth, the device comprising:
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an inner membrane; an outer membrane wherein the inner membrane and the outer membrane form an inner surface and an outer exterior surface of the device respectively; and at least one inflatable vessel, wherein the at least one inflatable vessel is encased within the outer membrane and the inner membrane and wherein inflating the at least one inflatable vessel causes the device to create tensile stress throughout a region of tissue underlying the inner surface of the device thereby promoting tissue growth. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for promoting an area of targeted growth of living tissue, the system comprising:
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a tissue expansion device having a collapsible support structure, wherein the collapsible support structure is collapsed during initial placement and removal of the tissue expansion device over the area of targeted growth of living tissue, wherein after initial placement the collapsible support structure is activated to cause the tissue expansion device to form a convex shape having an interior surface, and wherein tissue interfacing with the interior surface of the convex shape is drawn toward the interior surface placing the area of targeted growth of living tissue under a tensile force thereby promoting tissue growth; and an agent injected into the area of target growth of living tissue wherein said agent promotes tissue growth. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for treating capsular contracture of an implant, the method comprising:
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injecting an agent including an adipose tissue specimen into a region of tissue substantially adjacent to capsular tissue surrounding the implant; and placing the region of tissue under a tensile stress for a period of time. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification