Tissue expanders and methods of use
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of expanding breast tissue, comprising:
- positioning an external device external to a patient and proximate the patient'"'"'s breast;
actuating the external device to wirelessly transmit a signal from the external device to a self-contained tissue expansion device, wherein the tissue expansion device comprises a compressed gas source disposed completely within and in fluidic communication with a compartment comprising an inelastic material with a preformed breast shape, the preformed breast shape having an inferior portion that extends more in an anterior direction than a superior portion, and wherein the compartment is disposed within the patient'"'"'s breast;
wherein actuating the external device controllably releases gas from the compressed gas source into the compartment to controllably inflate the compartment and cause the inelastic material to be reconfigured towards its preformed shape with the inferior portion that extends more in an anterior direction than a superior portion; and
stimulating new tissue growth adjacent the tissue expansion device.
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Abstract
Tissue expanders and their methods of use.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of expanding breast tissue, comprising:
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positioning an external device external to a patient and proximate the patient'"'"'s breast; actuating the external device to wirelessly transmit a signal from the external device to a self-contained tissue expansion device, wherein the tissue expansion device comprises a compressed gas source disposed completely within and in fluidic communication with a compartment comprising an inelastic material with a preformed breast shape, the preformed breast shape having an inferior portion that extends more in an anterior direction than a superior portion, and wherein the compartment is disposed within the patient'"'"'s breast; wherein actuating the external device controllably releases gas from the compressed gas source into the compartment to controllably inflate the compartment and cause the inelastic material to be reconfigured towards its preformed shape with the inferior portion that extends more in an anterior direction than a superior portion; and stimulating new tissue growth adjacent the tissue expansion device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of expanding tissue;
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positioning an actuating device external to a patient and proximate to a self-contained and implanted tissue expander, wherein the implanted tissue expander comprises a compressed gas reservoir disposed completely within and in fluidic communication with an inflatable compartment, wherein the inflatable compartment is made from an inelastic material with a preformed shape; actuating the external device to controllably release a compressed gas from the compressed gas reservoir into the inflatable compartment to inflate the inflatable compartment and cause the inelastic material to be reconfigured towards its preformed shape; and
stimulating new tissue growth adjacent the tissue expander. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification