Biocompatible implant system and method

• US 20080312739A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Q-Med Aktiebolag (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Q-Med Aktiebolag (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Agerup, Bengt, Winter, Ulf, Caram-Lelham, Ninus
• Granted Patent: US 7,942,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/20 Polysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/52 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/56 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 5/08 Chitin; Chondroitin sulfate; Hyaluronic acid; Derivatives thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an implantable combination comprising a barrier (12), and a macromolecular bio-compatible material (14). The barrier (12) is porous to allow moieties of the macromolecular bio-compatible material (14), when implanted, to be exposed through the barrier, whereby the surface of the barrier is experienced by the body as an essentially non-foreign object. It also relates to an implant made from a barrier material and a bio-compatible material, the implant being suitable as e.g. a breast implant.

Claims

1. An implantable combination comprising

a) a barrier (12);

and

b) a macromolecular bio-compatible material (14);

characterized in that

the barrier (12) is porous to allow moieties of the macromolecular bio-compatible material (14), when implanted, to be exposed on and/or through the barrier, whereby the surface of the barrier is experienced by the body as an essentially non-foreign object.

2. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the macromolecular bio-compatible material (14) is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogel and a macromolecule in solution.

3. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the macromolecular bio-compatible material (14) is a hydrogel of a polysaccharide.

4. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polysaccharide is hyaluronic acid.

5. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the macromolecule in solution is hyaluronic acid.

6. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein 30 the hydrogel is in a swollen state or in a dry state.

7. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hydrogel is particulate.

8. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 7, wherein the particle size is between 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

9. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the porous barrier is made of a sheet material, such as a fabric, be it woven, knitted, non-woven or in the form of a perforated or discontinuous having openings extending through the sheet.

10. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein the openings have an effective diameter in the range 0,02 mm to 5 mm.

11. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier is shaped to fit a desired location in a body in which it is to 15 be implanted.

12. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier is shaped as a pouch.

13. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier is an essentially flat piece of material, configured to be sealable over a body cavity.

14. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 12, said pouch being shaped so as to be usable as a breast implant.

15. The implantable combination as claimed in claim 12, said pouch being shaped so as to be usable as a buttocks implant.

21. A method of body contouring by implanting a suitably shaped implant, comprising positioning an implantable combination as claimed in claim 1 in a desired location in a body, suitably by minimal invasive surgery.

16. An implant comprising a macromolecular bio-compatible material, enclosed in a pouch made of a barrier material which is porous to allow moieties of the hydrogel, when implanted, to be exposed through the barrier, whereby the surface of the barrier is experienced by the body as an essentially non-foreign object.

17. An implant according to claim 16 which is a breast implant.

18. An implant according to claim 16 which is a buttocks implant.

19. A depot device, for sustained or controlled release of a drug or other beneficial agent, comprising

a) a barrier;

b) a macromolecular and bio-compatible material;

c) a drug distributed in the macromolecular and bio-compatible material;

wherein the barrier material is porous to allow moieties of the macromolecular and bio-compatible material, when implanted, to be exposed through the barrier, whereby the surface of the barrier is experienced by the body as an essentially non-foreign object, and to allow the drug to be released through the barrier.

20. A kit, comprising a barrier and a macromolecular and bio-compatible material, wherein the barrier material is porous to allow moieties of the hydrogel, when implanted, to be exposed through the barrier.