Self positioning breast prosthesis

• US 6,183,514 B1
• Filed: 08/16/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hilton Becker
• Original Assignee: Hilton Becker
• Inventors: Becker, Hilton
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Brian E.
• Application Number:
  US09/374,850
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 623/7, 623/8
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants

Abstract

A dual lumen gravity oriented breast prosthesis or implant for surgical implantation includes inner and outer lumens which are defined by inner and outer closed envelopes of a medical grade elastomer. The outer closed envelope or lumen defines a generally oval or tear-shape with upper and lower portions. The outer envelope also contains a quantity of fluid material as for example a silicone gel having a first density. The prosthesis also includes a second or inner lumen defined by a second closed envelope of medical grade elastomer which is disposed in and fixed in the lower portion of the outer closed envelope. The inner lumen may be of various shapes such as generally spherical or preferably crescent shape. The second lumen is filled with a saline solution which has a density which is greater than the density in the outer lumen. The inner lumen with its greater density maintains or returns the prosthesis to its predetermined orientation when an individual in whom the prosthesis is implanted is in a standing or sitting position.

Claims

1. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body comprising:

an outer closed envelope of medical grade elastomer with upper and lower portions, and a first fluid material of a given density contained in said outer closed envelope; and

an inner closed envelope of medical grade elastomer disposed within said outer closed envelope and fixed thereto in the lower portion thereof, and said inner closed envelope containing a second fluid material of a given density which is greater than said density of said first fluid material; and

,

said inner closed envelope containing said second fluid material of a given density being fixed within said lower portion of said outer closed envelope with the center of gravity of said inner closed envelope containing said second fluid below the center of gravity of said outer closed envelope containing said first fluid material;

whereby the mammary prosthesis is maintained in or returned to its predetermined position by the higher density of the second fluid material which is the lower portion of said outer closed envelope.

2. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 1 in which said outer closed envelope defines a generally oval or generally tear shape.

3. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 1 in which said first fluid material is a gel and in which said second fluid material is a saline solution.

4. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which said first fluid material is a silicone gel.

5. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which said first fluid material is a hydrogel.

6. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which essentially all of said inner closed envelope is disposed below the center of gravity of said outer closed envelope.

7. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which said inner closed envelope defines a generally crescent shape.

8. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 7 in which the lower portion of said outer closed envelope defines a shape that conforms with the crescent shape of said inner closed envelope.

9. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which said inner closed envelope defines a generally spherical shape.

10. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which the inner closed envelope essentially fills the lower portion of said outer closed envelope.

11. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which said inner and outer closed envelope each include a resealable opening to allow a surgeon to add saline solution to said inner closed envelope.

12. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation with a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 3 in which outer closed envelope of medical grade elastomer has a smooth non-textured surface.

13. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation within a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least 75% of the volume of said inner closed envelope containing said second fluid material is below the center of gravity of said outer closed envelope containing said first fluid material.

14. A self-positioning multi-lumen mammary prosthesis for surgical implantation within a predetermined orientation within a human body in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distance between the center of gravity of said inner closed envelope containing said second fluid material and the center of gravity of said outer closed envelope containing said first fluid material is at least 20% of the length of the longest dimension of the prosthesis.