Apparatus and method for preventing adhesions between an implant and surrounding tissues
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an implant comprising a transplanted organ and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane comprising a substantially planar membrane having a first substantially smooth side and second substantially smooth side and being heat-shrunk over the exterior surface of the implant;
wherein the substantially planar membrane is substantially non-porous and comprise a polymer base material selected from the group consisting essentially of;
a lactide polymer; and
a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters.
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Abstract
An anti-adhesion membrane is placed onto an implant introduced into a surgical site of a patient to prevent post-surgical adhesions between the implant and surrounding tissue. The implant may comprise either biological material, such as a transplanted organ, or non-biological material such as a medical device. The membrane may be applied in a variety of ways. In one example, a membrane according to the present invention is shrink-wrapped around a pace-maker. In another example, a breast implant is spray-coated or dipped with the membrane material.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an implant comprising a transplanted organ and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane comprising a substantially planar membrane having a first substantially smooth side and second substantially smooth side and being heat-shrunk over the exterior surface of the implant;
wherein the substantially planar membrane is substantially non-porous and comprise a polymer base material selected from the group consisting essentially of;
a lactide polymer; and
a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 11, 12)
- an implant comprising a transplanted organ and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
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5. An apparatus, comprising:
- an implant configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane comprising a layer of resorbable polymer base material having a substantially uniform composition, consisting essentially of a material selected from the group consisting essentially of a lactide polymer and a copolymer of two or more cyclic esters, and comprising a heat-shrunk disposition around the implant. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
- an implant configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
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8. An apparatus, comprising:
- an implant comprising a fluid-filled implantable prosthesis and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
a resorbable membrane surrounding the implant for attenuating adhesions between the implant and the surrounding tissue, the resorbable membrane being heat-shrunk over the exterior of surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
- an implant comprising a fluid-filled implantable prosthesis and being configured to be inserted into a surgical site of a patient surrounded by tissue, wherein when the implant is inserted into the surgical site, tissue surrounds and contacts an exterior surface of the apparatus; and
Specification