Use of glucomannan hydrocolloid as filler material in prostheses

• US 6,537,318 B1
• Filed: 04/06/1998
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Konjac Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Konjac Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Ita, Essien Eyo-Okon, Clarke, Scott Hilton
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David J
• Application Number:
  US09/055,472
• Time in Patent Office: 1,814 Days
• Field of Search: 623/7, 623/8, 623/9, 623/11, 623/12, 623/16, 623/66, 623/901, 424/422, 424/423, 426/96, 426/573, 426/578, 128/898
• US Class Current: 623/11.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/20 Polysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/52 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 5/14 Hemicellulose; Derivatives thereof

Abstract

A prosthetic device for implantation into a mammalian body comprised of a non-absorbable biocompatible flexible material shell or sac filled with various biocompatible gel filler materials. The gel filler materials are comprised of biocompatible glucomannan obtained from konjac hydrocolloid flour and other biocompatible hydrocolloids, producing a natural look and feel for the prosthetic implants, especially reconstructive prostheses such as breast implants.

Claims

1. A prosthesis for implantation in a mammalian body comprising:

a) a shell made from a flexible, non-absorbable biocompatible material; and

b) a gel filler material contained within said shell wherein said gel filler material comprises glucomannan.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said glucomannan gel filler material is obtained from konjac gel.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said konjac gel is a konjac-carrageenan gel.

4. The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said konjac gel is a konjac-xanthan gum gel.

5. The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said konjac gel is a konjac-starch gel.

6. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said flexible non-absorbable material of said shell is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, polybutadiene, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose nitrate, cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butyrate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers polyethylene, polypropylene and non-absorbable silicone material.

7. A method of making a prosthesis for implanation into a mammalian body which comprises filling a shell made from flexible, non-absorbable biocompatible material with a filler material comprising glucomannan.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said shell and said filler material are sterilized.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said shell is filled with a filler material consisting of 3% by weight biocompatible konjac-xanthan gum filler material and 97% by weight water.