Multiple-layer prosthesis implant with tissue tactility
First Claim
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1. A multiple lumen prosthesis comprising:
- a first, ballast lumen;
a second lumen enclosing said ballast lumen;
each said lumen having flexible exterior and interior walls, said interior walls defining an interior void, said ballast lumen being enclosed within said interior void of said second lumen;
a first thin coating of lubricant on the interior walls of said second lumen;
a second thin coating of lubricant on the exterior walls of said ballast lumen;
said first coating and said second coating of lubricant being insufficient in quantity of lubricant contained therein to inflate said second lumen and of a volume selected to provide a thin coating of lubricant sufficient for inhibiting direct contact of said exterior walls of said ballast lumen with said interior walls of said second lumen; and
means coupling said first and second coatings of lubricant for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant by redistributing lubricant within said first and said second coatings,said means for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant comprises an interstitial, distribution layer of lubricant, immiscible in said first and said second coatings of lubricant,said distribution layer of lubricant being generally located between said first and said second coatings of lubricant, further inhibiting direct contact of said exterior walls of said ballast lumen with said interior walls of said second lumen, and redistributing lubricant in said first and second coatings of lubricant along boundaries at which said distribution layer of lubricant moves relative to said first and said second coatings.
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Abstract
A multi-layer prosthesis simulates tissue tactility by structuring the plurality of layers of material making up the prosthesis to include lubricant coating between the layers. It is the plurality of layers and the lubricity of their movement which contributes greatly to the tactile simulation of human tissue. Present in the prosthesis is a ballast lumen which moves freely and contributes mass and motility to the prosthesis. The prosthesis finds ready use in the augmentation or restructuring of the human breast as well as in cosmetic modification of other portions of the anatomy as, for example, the chin, the pectorals, the calf muscles, etc.
77 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A multiple lumen prosthesis comprising:
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a first, ballast lumen; a second lumen enclosing said ballast lumen; each said lumen having flexible exterior and interior walls, said interior walls defining an interior void, said ballast lumen being enclosed within said interior void of said second lumen; a first thin coating of lubricant on the interior walls of said second lumen; a second thin coating of lubricant on the exterior walls of said ballast lumen;
said first coating and said second coating of lubricant being insufficient in quantity of lubricant contained therein to inflate said second lumen and of a volume selected to provide a thin coating of lubricant sufficient for inhibiting direct contact of said exterior walls of said ballast lumen with said interior walls of said second lumen; andmeans coupling said first and second coatings of lubricant for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant by redistributing lubricant within said first and said second coatings, said means for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant comprises an interstitial, distribution layer of lubricant, immiscible in said first and said second coatings of lubricant, said distribution layer of lubricant being generally located between said first and said second coatings of lubricant, further inhibiting direct contact of said exterior walls of said ballast lumen with said interior walls of said second lumen, and redistributing lubricant in said first and second coatings of lubricant along boundaries at which said distribution layer of lubricant moves relative to said first and said second coatings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A multiple lumen prosthesis comprising:
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a first, ballast lumen; a second lumen enclosing said ballast lumen; each said lumen having flexible exterior and interior walls, said interior walls defining an interior void, said ballast lumen being enclosed within said interior void of said second lumen; a first thin coating of lubricant on the interior walls of said second lumen; a second thin coating of lubricant on the exterior walls of said ballast lumen;
said first coating and said second coating of lubricant being insufficient in quantity of lubricant contained therein to inflate said second lumen and of a volume selected to provide a thin coating of lubricant sufficient for inhibiting direct contact of said exterior walls of said ballast lumen with said interior walls of said second lumen;means coupling said first and second coatings of lubricant for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant by redistributing lubricant within said first and said second coatings; said means for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant comprises said ballast lumen; said ballast lumen having its said interior void filled with fluid of a selected density, said ballast lumen being freely movable within said interior void of said second lumen, the free movement of said ballast lumen within said second lumen bringing said first and said second coatings of lubricant into repeated, moving contact whereby lubricant within said first and said second coatings is exchanged and redistributed; and said flexible interior and exterior walls of said first and said second lumens comprise a material selected, in combination with the multiplicity of said walls and the lubricity of relative motion among said walls, to impart the tactility and movement of natural body tissue when said prosthesis is implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, said relative motion being induced, in part, by movement of said ballast lumen within said second lumen; and said means for renewing said first and said second coatings of lubricant further comprises an interstitial, distribution layer of lubricant, immiscible in said first and said second coatings of lubricant, said distribution layer of lubricant being generally located between said first and said second coatings of lubricant, further inhibiting direct contact of said exterior walls of said ballast lumen with said interior walls of said second lumen, and redistributing lubricant in said first and second coatings of lubricant along boundaries at which said distribution layer of lubricant moves relative to said first and said second coatings. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification