Identification marker for a breast prosthesis

• US 4,863,470 A
• Filed: 09/24/1987
• Issued: 09/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medical Engineering Corporation
• Original Assignee: Medical Engineering Corporation
• Inventors: Carter, Garry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Isabella, David J.
• Application Number:
  US07/102,752
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 623/8, 623/7, 623/11, 623/16, 128/92 VZ
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

A radiopaque identification marker is incorporated into a radiolucent prosthesis, such as a breast implant. The marker denotes data which is ascertainable prior or subsequent to implantation.

Claims

1. A prosthesis for subcutaneous implantation in a patient comprising:

a container suitable for implantation, said container being at least partly transparent and having a radiolucent portion; and

a radiopaque identification marker at least partly surrounded by said radiolucent portion, said marker including alphanumeric symbols that are visible and readable by eye through said transparent part of said container prior to implantation and readable after implantation from an x-ray photograph of the patient.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said container includes a radiolucent outer shell and a radiolucent material encased within said shell, said marker being at least partly surrounded by said radiolucent material.

3. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said container is suitably shaped for implantation in a patient'"'"'s breast, said shell is a silicone elastomer and said material is a silicone gel.

4. The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said identification marker is made of silicone with bismuth trioxide.

5. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said identification marker is made of silicone with barium sulfate.

6. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said identification marker is secured to an inner wall of said shell.

7. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said identification marker is substantially fixed in position within said silicone gel.

9. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said gel has a high viscosity so as to enable said identification marker to be located in a fixed position in said gel.

10. The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said identification marker is shaped to indicate the prosthesis size.

8. A mammary prosthesis for subcutaneous implantation in a patient comprising:

a radiolucent and transparent silicone elastomer shell;

a radiolucent and transparent silicone gel contained within said shell; and

a radiopaque identifying marker within said gel, said marker including alphanumeric symbols that are readable by eye through said transparent shell and gel prior to implantation and readable after implantation from an x-ray photograph of the patient.