Reconstruction implant

• US 6,387,133 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1999
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Perouse Plastie
• Original Assignee: Laboratoire Perouse Implant
• Inventors: Perouse, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Brian E
• Application Number:
  US09/353,789
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 623/23.64, 623/23.67, 623/8, 623/23.65, 623/23.68
• US Class Current: 623/23.64
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0059 Cosmetic or alloplastic implants A61F2/10 - A61F2/16, A61F2/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/02 Prostheses implantable into the body closure means for urethra or rectum or for artificial body openings therefor A61F2/0004

Abstract

A reconstruction implant (10) of predetermined shape has a deformable outer envelope (12) containing a filler liquid (15) whose viscosity is substantially equal to that of water. The thickness of the envelope (12) is sufficient to confer on the envelope a shape substantially identical to the predetermined shape in the absence of the filler liquid. The pressure of the filler liquid contained in the envelope (12) is substantially equal to the pressure outside the envelope. The implant can be used as a testicle prosthesis.

Claims

1. A reconstruction implant of predetermined shape, comprising:

a deformable outer envelope including a silicone membrane whose thickness (e) is greater than 2.5 mm; and

a filler liquid contained in said outer envelope and having a viscosity substantially equal to that of water;

wherein said filler liquid is contained in said outer envelope so as to have a pressure substantially equal to a pressure outside of said outer envelope; and

wherein said outer envelope has a thickness sufficient that, even without said filler liquid contained in said outer envelope, said outer envelope would maintain a shape substantially identical to said predetermined shape.

2. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (e) of the envelope is such that the ratio of the greatest dimension (L) of the implant to the thickness (e) of the envelope is in the range from 2.3 to 20.

3. A reconstruction implant according to claim 2, wherein the filler liquid is physiological serum.

4. A reconstruction implant according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined shape is an oval shape and corresponds to the shape of a testicle.

5. A reconstruction implant according to claim 2, wherein the thickness (e) of said envelope is substantially uniform throughout.

6. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (e) of the envelope is such that the ratio of the greatest dimension (L) of the implant to the thickness (e) of the envelope is in the range from 5 to 18.

7. A reconstruction implant according to claim 6, wherein the filler liquid is physiological serum.

8. A reconstruction implant according to claim 6, wherein said predetermined shape is an oval shape and corresponds to the shape of a testicle.

9. A reconstruction implant according to claim 6, wherein the thickness (e) of said envelope is substantially uniform throughout.

10. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (e) of the envelope is in the range from 2.5 mm to 7.5 mm.

11. A reconstruction implant according to claim 10, wherein the greatest dimension (L) of the implant is in the range from 2 cm to 5 cm.

12. A reconstruction implant according to claim 10, wherein the filler liquid is physiological serum.

13. A reconstruction implant according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined shape is an oval shape and corresponds to the shape of a testicle.

14. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein a greatest dimension (L) of the implant is in the range from 2 cm to 5 cm.

15. A reconstruction implant according to claim 14, wherein the filler liquid is physiological serum.

16. A reconstruction implant according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined shape is an oval shape and corresponds to the shape of a testicle.

17. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein the filler liquid is physiological serum.

18. A reconstruction implant according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined shape is an oval shape and corresponds to the shape of a testicle.

19. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape is an oval shape and corresponds to the shape of a testicle.

20. A reconstruction implant according to claim 1, wherein the thickness (e) of said envelope is substantially uniform throughout.