Permanent reconstruction implant and method of performing human tissue expansion

• US 4,643,733 A
• Filed: 04/04/1983
• Issued: 02/17/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BHCL Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Beverley Anne Becker, Hilton Becker
• Inventors: Becker, Hilton
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US06/481,912
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1, 3/1.2, 3/36, 128/1 R, 128/DIG. 25, 623/7, 623/8, 623/11
• US Class Current: 623/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/02 Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/12 Mammary prostheses and implants

Abstract

A delayed filling permanent reconstruction implant comprising a inflatable flexible prosthesis having an inlet opening, a normally closed valve in the inlet opening, a filling tube having one end detachably connected to the prosthesis at the inlet opening and operable when in the inlet opening to open the valve, and a reservoir connected to the other end of the filling tube. In addition, a method of performing human tissue expansion and providing a permanent reconstruction implant comprising the steps of providing a permanent prosthesis having an inlet opening, a normally closed valve in the opening, providing a filling tube having one end adapted for insertion into the inlet opening to open the valve and having a self-sealing reservoir at its other end, surgically placing the prosthesis in the area to be expanded and reconstructed and placing the filling tube and reservoir beneath the skin adjacent the prosthesis with the tube one end in the inlet opening, gradually expanding the prosthesis by percutaneous fluid injections into the reservoir, and detaching the reservoir and filling tube from the prosthesis and allowing the prosthesis to remain permanently in position.

Claims

1. A delayed filling permanent reconstruction implant comprising an inflatable flexible plastic prosthesis constructed substantially entirely of a relatively soft and flexible material adapted to be implanted beneath human tissue, said prosthesis having an inlet opening, a normally closed valve in said opening, a filling tube having one end detachably connected to said prosthesis at said inlet opening and operable when in said opening to open said valve, and a reservoir connected to the other end of said filling tube, whereby said prosthesis can be controllably expanded after implantation by percutaneously injecting fluid into said reservoir which fluid passes through said filling tube into said prosthesis, said filling tube and reservoir both readily detachable from the prosthesis upon achieving the desired expansion thereof and said opening forming a relatively smooth exterior surface upon detachment of said filling tube therefrom whereupon said valve closes and said prosthesis remains permanently implanted.

2. The device claimed in claim 1, said filling tube and said reservoir being adapted to be placed beneath the skin near said prosthesis, said prosthesis being expandable by percutaneous injection of fluid into said reservoir, said reservoir and filling tube being detachable from said prosthesis and removable through a single incision over said reservoir.

3. The device claimed in claim 1, said reservoir being constructed substantially entirely of a relatively soft and flexible material facilitating easy removal from beneath the skin.

4. The device claimed in claim 1, said inlet opening and valve being located at a lateral position of said prosthesis.

5. A delayed filling permanent reconstruction implant comprising an inflatable flexible plastic prosthesis adapted to be implanted beneath human tissue, said prosthesis having an inlet opening, a normally closed valve in said opening, a filling tube having one end detachably connected to said prosthesis at said inlet opening and operable when in said opening to open said valve, and a reservoir connected to the other end of said filling tube, whereby said prosthesis can be controllably expanded after implantation by percutaneously injecting fluid into said reservoir which fluid passes through said filling tube into said prosthesis, said filling tube and reservoir both readily detachable from the prosthesis upon achieving the desired expansion thereof, whereupon said valve closes and said prosthesis remains permanently implanted, said valve including a valve tube extending inwardly of said inlet opening, a diaphragm normally covering said valve tube, said diaphragm having openings therein which are blocked when said diaphragm covers said valve tube, said diaphragm being movable away from said valve tube upon insertion of said one end of said filling tube into said inlet opening and through said valve.

6. The device claimed in claim 5, said filling tube having a shoulder adjacent said one end limiting insertion thereof.

7. A delayed filling permanent reconstruction implant comprising an inflatable flexible plastic prosthesis adapted to be implanted beneath human tissue, said prosthesis having an inlet opening, a normally closed valve in said opening, a filling tube having one end detachably connected to said prosthesis at said inlet opening and operable when in said opening to open said valve, and a reservoir connected to the other end of said filling tube, whereby said prosthesis can be controllably expanded after implantation by percutaneously injecting fluid into said reservoir which fluid passes through said filling tube into said prosthesis, said filling tube and reservoir both readily detachable from the prosthesis upon achieving the desired expansion thereof, whereupon said valve closes and said prosthesis remains permanently implanted, said valve including a normally closed, double flap construction extending inwardly of said prosthesis at said inlet opening, a cover flap over said inlet opening having a slit therein, said one end of said filling tube being insertable through said slit and said double flap.

8. A method of performing human tissue expansion and providing a permanent reconstruction implant comprising the steps of providing a permanent prosthesis having an inlet opening, a normally closed valve in said opening, providing a filling tube having one end adapted for insertion into said inlet opening to open said valve and having a self-sealing reservoir at its other end, surgically placing the prosthesis in the area to be reconstructed and placing the filling tube and reservoir beneath the skin adjacent the prosthesis with the tube one end in the inlet opening, gradually expanding the prosthesis by percutaneous fluid injections into the reservoir, and detaching the reservoir and filling tube from the prosthesis and allowing the prosthesis to remain permanently in position.