Perforation repair device and method

• US 6,191,334 B1
• Filed: 03/03/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acoustic Technologies Incorporated (Cirrus Logic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Acoustic Technologies Incorporated (Cirrus Logic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Patterson, Matthew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMILTON, LALITA M
• Application Number:
  US09/262,153
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 602/41, 602/54, 602/56, 602/58, 128/200.24, 128/207.18, 128/858
• US Class Current: 602/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/08 Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/24 Collagen
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body

Abstract

A dissolvable repair device, and a method utilizing the same, that is intended to aid in the repair and healing of a perforation in body tissue, such as a nasal septum. The repair device is intended to be placed over the area of the perforation to act as a scaffolding for the regrowth of tissue over the perforation. The repair device is made from a bioerodable material that is dissolvable upon exposure to certain fluids, including body fluids. Over time, the repair device will dissolve, allowing sufficient time for tissue to regrow over the area of the perforation. Since the repair device is dissolvable, a surgical procedure is not required in order to remove the repair device.

Claims

1. A nasal perforation repair device, consisting essentially of:

a member made from a bioerodable collagen material, said member being in the form of a sheet having a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and about 2.0 mm.

2. The nasal perforation repair device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet member is generally planar and generally rigid.

3. The nasal perforation repair device according to claim 1, wherein the collagen is in the form of a gelatin material.

4. The nasal perforation repair device according to claim 1, wherein the bioerodable material is impregnated with gluteraldehyde.

5. The nasal perforation repair device according to claim 1, wherein the bioerodable material is impregnated with an antibiotic.

6. The nasal perforation repair device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is generally rectangular.