Dimensionally adjustable soft tissue expander and method
First Claim
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1. A dimensionally adjustable tissue expander adapted to be inserted under soft tissue to be expanded, the expander comprising a substantially flat base having a shape and defining a peripheral edge;
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to define a closed interior chamber;
a movable S-shaped fold in the base having a number of adjustable shapes; and
a port for inflating and deflating the chamber, said fold being freely movable to vary the shape of the base.
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Abstract
A soft tissue expander includes a dimensionally adjustable base. The shape of the base is optimally adjusted prior to inserting the expander into an incision formed below a layer of skin to be expanded.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A dimensionally adjustable tissue expander adapted to be inserted under soft tissue to be expanded, the expander comprising a substantially flat base having a shape and defining a peripheral edge;
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to define a closed interior chamber;
a movable S-shaped fold in the base having a number of adjustable shapes; and
a port for inflating and deflating the chamber, said fold being freely movable to vary the shape of the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to define a closed interior chamber;
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6. A dimensionally adjustable tissue expander comprising a substantially flat base defining a peripheral edge;
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to define a closed interior chamber;
a fold extending from the peripheral edge a distance into the base and a distance into the cover; and
a port for inflating and deflating the chamber, said fold being freely movable to adjust the shape of the base to a selected shape for expansion of a soft tissue layer overlying the cover the base having sufficient compliance to insure that the base retains the selected shape from implantation of the expander into a surgically-formed incision until tissue surrounding the expander base heals. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to define a closed interior chamber;
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10. A dimensionally adjustable tissue expander comprising a substantially flat base defining a peripheral edge;
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the peripheral edge of the base to define a closed interior chamber;
the base including a freely movable dimensionally adjustable fold having a number of adjustable shapes;
the expander including a central portion, and opposed arms to either side of the central portion and a port for inflating and deflating the chamber, said fold being freely movable to adjust the shape of the base to a selected shape for expansion of a soft tissue layer overlying the cover, the base having sufficient compliance to insure that the base retains the selected shape from implantation of the expander into a surgically-formed incision until tissue surrounding the expander base heals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a cover formed from an expandable elastomer, the cover overlying the base and joined to the peripheral edge of the base to define a closed interior chamber;
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18. A dimensionally adjustable tissue expander adapted to be implanted under soft tissue to be expanded, the expander comprising a substantially flat imperforate base, the base defining a peripheral edge;
- an expandable imperforate cover formed of compliant material overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to form a closed interior chamber between the cover and base;
a port opening into the chamber to permit fluid to be injected into the chamber and to be withdrawn from the chamber; and
a first adjustable fold in the base. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
- an expandable imperforate cover formed of compliant material overlying the base and joined to the base at the peripheral edge to form a closed interior chamber between the cover and base;
Specification