Mammary implant
First Claim
1. A method of making a mammary prosthesis comprisinga. forming a hollow, collapsible shell from a flexible, stretchable material and providing an opening of predetermined size in the wall of the shell,b. inserting a resilient, nondeformable, substantially non-compressible reinforcement member of greater size than the opening of the shell into the shell,c. joining the shell to the reinforcement member,d. supplying a predetermined amount of cohesive filler material in the shell to project a portion of the shell from the reinforcement member, ande. sealing the opening in the shell to confine the filler material therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The mammary implant includes a shell with a base portion and a reinforcement member provided at the base portion. The shell also includes a promontory portion that projects from the base portion. The reinforcement member can be formed with materials of different hardnesses, or of different thicknesses in different areas. The reinforcement member can also be formed with ribs, rings or grooves at various areas of the reinforcement member to enhance flexibility or rigidity. The reinforced mammary implant prevents casular contracture due to scar tissue formation after implantation and thus maintains a desired profile and softness of the implanted prosthesis.
66 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of making a mammary prosthesis comprising
a. forming a hollow, collapsible shell from a flexible, stretchable material and providing an opening of predetermined size in the wall of the shell, b. inserting a resilient, nondeformable, substantially non-compressible reinforcement member of greater size than the opening of the shell into the shell, c. joining the shell to the reinforcement member, d. supplying a predetermined amount of cohesive filler material in the shell to project a portion of the shell from the reinforcement member, and e. sealing the opening in the shell to confine the filler material therein.
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5. A method of making a mammary prosthesis comprising
a. forming a hollow, collapsible shell from a flexible, stretchable material and providing an opening of predetermined size in the wall of the shell, b. inserting a resilient, nondeformable, substantially non-compressible reinforcement member of greater size than the opening of the shell into the shell, c. joining the shell to the reinforcement member, d. supplying a predetermined amount of cohesive filler material in the shell to project a portion of the shell from the reinforcement member, e. sealing the opening in the shell to confine the filler material therein, and wherein the step of inserting includes turning the shell inside out, and after the joining step, turning the shell outside in.
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6. A method of making a mammary prosthesis comprising
a. forming a hollow, collapsible shell from a flexible, stretchable material and providing an opening of predetermined size in the wall of the shell, b. forming a reinforcement member of resilient, nondeformable, substantially non-compressible material with a median portion that has a first level of flexibility and a peripheral portion that has a second level of flexibility greater than the first level of flexibility, and of greater size than the opening of the shell, c. inserting the reinforcement member into the shell, d. joining the shell to the reinforcement member, e. supplying a predetermined amount of cohesive filler material in the shell to project a portion of the shell from the reinforcement member, and f. sealing the opening in the shell to confine the filler material therein.
Specification