Implantable prosthetic or tissue expanding device
First Claim
1. A prosthetic implant comprising:
- an envelope; and
a keratinous gel contained within said envelope.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area. One kit has a powdered, keratin hydrogel precursor disposed within the envelope interior, awaiting the addition of water, preferably after insertion of the implant into the body.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A prosthetic implant comprising:
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an envelope; and
a keratinous gel contained within said envelope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A prosthetic implant comprising:
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an envelope; and
a keratin hydrogel contained within said envelope, wherein said keratin hydrogel is a product made by the process comprising;
oxidizing keratin in a first solution with an oxidizing agent such that at least some of the disulfide bonds of said keratin are oxidized to form sulfonic acid residues;
separating an oxidized solid fraction from said solution;
placing said oxidized keratin solid in a second solution including monovalent cations dissolved in a solvent under conditions effective to allow electrostatic interactions between the sulfonic acid residues of said oxidized keratin and said monovalent cations to obtain a salt of said keratin and said cations;
removing the solvent from said salt to obtain a solid salt; and
hydrating said solid salt. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification