Non-enveloped gel prosthesis

• US 4,840,628 A
• Filed: 01/27/1988
• Issued: 06/20/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph F. Cavon
• Original Assignee: Joseph F. Cavon
• Inventors: Cavon, Joseph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Isabella, David J.
• Application Number:
  US07/148,864
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 623/7, 623/8, 623/10, 623/11, 623/16, 128/DIG. 21
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/34 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/04 Oxycellulose; Hydrocellulose , e.g. microcrystalline cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 89/00 Compositions of proteins; Compositions of derivatives thereof foodstuff preparations A23J3/00

Abstract

An unconstrained cohesive gel prosthesis is disclosed for implantation in a human body. The prosthesis consist essentially of an unconstrained, pressure-disbursing, cohesive, homogenous gel which can be stretched substantially more then 21% of its length without the appearance of stress cracks.

Claims

1. An unconstrained cohesive gel prosthesis for implantation in a human body cavity normally substantially occupied by soft tissue consisting essentially of:

an unconstrained molded pressure-dispersing cohesive homogeneous gel elastomer formed to fit the shape and size of a body cavity normally substantially occupied by soft tissue in the human body,

the cohesion of said gel being such that it can be stretched substantially more than 21% of its length without the appearance of stress cracks in the gel, the gel being sufficiently cross linked so that the gel has a non-flowing characteristic.

2. A method for avoiding post-surgical contracture of breast implants comprising the steps of

filling a cavity normally occupied by breast tissue with an unconstrained molded pressure-dispersing cohesvie gel elastomer implant sized and shaped to fit the cavity, the gel being sufficiently cohesive so that it can be stretched substantially more than 21% of its length without the appearance of stress cracks in the gel, and being sufficiently cross linked to exhibit a non-flowing characteristic.