To subcutaneous prostheses for mammaplasty

• US 6,210,439 B1
• Filed: 10/05/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Arnaud, Axel, Firmin, Francoise
• Primary Examiner(s): Snow, Bruce
• Application Number:
  US09/412,478
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 623/8, 606/151
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0059 Cosmetic or alloplastic implants A61F2/10 - A61F2/16, A61F2/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants

Abstract

A subcutaneous prosthesis for mammaplasty repair comprising a netting having a generally circular shape with a V shaped opening extending from its center. The prosthesis having a metallic reinforcing wire that extends around the periphery of the circular netting. The ends of the reinforcing wire being maintained in position by a blocking piece. When the prosthesis is deployed, by tightening the reinforcing wire the prosthesis can be formed into a conical shape suitable for mammary repair.

Claims

1. A subcutaneous prosthesis for mammaplasty comprising a netting having a generally circular shape with a central opening and a V-shaped wedge opening extend from said central opening, the circular netting having a periphery with a reinforcing element extending around the circular netting near the periphery and attached to the netting about the periphery, and a blocking piece in communication with the reinforcing piece, wherein when the reinforcing element is tightened the netting will assume a bonnet shape.

2. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing element is a wire having two ends that are secured by the blocking piece.

3. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 2 wherein the blocking piece has channels therein to engage the ends of the reinforcing element.

4. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the netting is a lattice made from at least one partially absorbable material.

5. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the V-shaped opening extends over an angular sector of about 80°

.

6. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the netting has a channel about the periphery through which the reinforcing element is passed.

7. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the netting comprises a plurality of fibers and the reinforcing element is attached to the periphery of the netting by inserting the reinforcing elements through the fibers of the netting about the periphery.

8. The subcutaneous prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing element is a metallic wire.