Medical implants of stretch-crystallizable elastomers and methods of implantation
First Claim
1. An improved medical implant formed of a stretch-crystallizable, shape-transformable elastomer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Reduced trauma medical implants and methods for their use are disclosed wherein at least a portion of the implant is formed of a stretch-crystallizable elastomeric material formulated to exhibit the property of stretch crystallization upon substantial elongation of the implant to form stable, small-incision implant configurations having at least one dimension substantially reduced for insertion through a surgical incision that is small relative to the incision size necessary to implant the unstretched implant. Exemplary embodiments include intraocular implants formed of optically clear, high refractive index stretch-crystallizable silicone elastomers formulated to stretch crystallize at near ambient temperatures upon elongations greater than or equal to 300% and to recover their original configuration immediately upon exposure to body temperature following implantation.
60 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. An improved medical implant formed of a stretch-crystallizable, shape-transformable elastomer.
- 11. An intraocular implant configured for reduced trauma implantation and having a light focusing optical portion formed of a stretch-crystallizable, shape-transformable silicone elastomer having a refractive index ranging from about 1.38 to 1.46.
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21. A reduced trauma surgical implantation method comprising the steps of:
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providing a stretch-crystallizable, shape-transformable implant; stretch crystallizing said implant into a stable, small-incision implant configuration; and inserting said stretch-crystallized implant through a small incision into a patient'"'"'s body. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification