Filling tube and seal construction for inflatable implant

• US 4,773,908 A
• Filed: 12/18/1986
• Issued: 09/27/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LNC Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beverley Anne Becker, Hilton Becker
• Inventors: Becker, Hilton
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Isabella, David J.
• Application Number:
  US06/943,202
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 623/7, 623/8, 623/11, 128/1 R, 128/325, 128/344, 128/348.1, 604/96, 604/99
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants

Abstract

An inflatable implant for use in human breast reconstruction includes at least one and preferably two chambers. The chambers are defined by a flexible membrane or lumen and include valves which are adapted to have a singular flexible filling tube passed therethrough for filling the inner chamber.

A dual chambered device includes a viscous gel in the outer chamber. This viscous gel is in contact with the valves and sealingly cooperates with the valves and the filling tube.

The implant also includes at least one valve having a short semi-rigid tube surrounding an opening and extending inwardly of the membrane, i.e. into the chamber. And the filling tube comprises a soft and flexible length of tubing and a solid portion at a distal end thereof. This solid portion has an outer diameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the semi-rigid tube and is stretchable longitudinally to reduce its outer diameter to facilitate passage through the semi-rigid tube. And the solid portion is adapted to sealingly engage the semi-rigid tube upon relaxation thereof.

Claims

1. A filling tube and seal construction for an inflatable implant which includes a flexible membrane defining a chamber and having an inlet opening and a semi-rigid tube surrounding said opening and extending inwardly of said chamber, said filling tube comprising a soft and flexible length of tubing forming a solid portion at a distal end thereof, said solid portion being longer than said semi-rigid tube and the remaining portion of said filling tube defining a hollow passage way and an opening for connecting the interior of said filling tube with the interior of said chamber for inflation of said chamber, and said filling tube having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of said semi-rigid tube and being stretchable longitudinally to reduce its outer diameter to facilitate passage through said semi-rigid tube, said solid portion of said filling tube sealingly engaging said semi-rigid tube upon relaxation thereof whereby said filling tube can be stretched longitudinally and moved outwardly through said semi-rigid tube by pulling on a proximal portion of said filling tube after inflation of said chamber to position said solid portion in said semi-rigid tube to seal said opening in said membrane.

2. The construction called for in claim 1 in which said filling tube includes means at the distal end thereof engageable with said semi-rigid tube to limit withdrawal of said filling tube.

3. The construction called for in claim 2 in which said limiting means has a generally T-shaped cross-section.

4. The construction called for in claim 2 in which said distal end means includes a generally radially extending flange engageable with said semi-rigid tube.

5. The construction called for in claim 4 in which said filling tube is made of silicone elastomer.

6. The construction called for in claim 5 in which the membrane and semi-rigid tube are made of silicone elastomer and said semi-rigid tube is formed as an integral part of said membrane.

7. The construction called for in claim 6 in which said membrane includes a thicker portion adjacent said semi-rigid tube to thereby reduce the liklihood of tearing the membrane in that area.

8. An inflatable implant for use in human breast reconstruction comprising inner and outer membranes, said outer membrane containing a viscous gel, first and second valves in said inner and outer membranes respectively and adopted to have a singular filling tube removably passed therethrough for filling said implant, said viscous gel in contact with both of said valves and sealingly cooperating with said valves and with said filling tube when the latter is in place, the improvement comprising a filling tube and seal construction wherein said inner membrane defines a chamber and an inlet opening, and a semi-rigid tube surrounding the opening and extending inwardly of said inner membrane, said filling tube comprising a soft and flexible length of tubing forming a solid portion at a distal end thereof, and said solid portion of said filling tube being longer than said semi-rigid tube and having an diameter larger than the inner diameter of said semi-rigid tube and being stretchable longitudinally to reduce its outer diameter to facilitate passage through said semi-rigid tube, and the remaining portion of said filling tube defining a hollow passage way and an opening for connecting the hollow passage way with the interior of the chamber defined by the inner membrane, said solid portion of said filling tube sealingly engaging said semi-rigid tube upon relaxation thereof whereby said filling tube can be stretched longitudinally and moved outwardly through said semi-rigid tube by pulling on a proximal portion of said filling tube after inflation of the implant to position said solid portion in said semi-rigid tube to seal said opening in said inner membrane.

9. The inflatable implant for human breast reconstruction called for in claim 8 wherein said semi-rigid tube includes sealing means and wherein said filling tube includes a generally radially extending flange which is adapted to engage said sealing means.

10. The inflatable implant for human breast reconstruction called for in claim 9 wherein said inner membrane includes a thickened portion adjacent said semi-rigid tube to thereby reduce the likelihood of tearing the membrane in the area around the semi-rigid tube.