Abstract: A medical procedure for the placement and inflation of an implant such as a breast implant. Once an implant site has been identified, a cavity is created and a sheath is inserted thereinto. The sheath contains a pre-sterilized and pre-packaged inflatable implant. The implant is property oriented and then the sheath is withdrawn from site while maintaining the implant within the surgical site. The implant is then inflated via a fill tube and a self-sealing valve. Finally, the fill tube is removed.

Abstract: A pre-packaged inflatable breast implant that has been pre-tested, rolled, and encompassed in its own insertion sheath, complete with handle marked with indices to show how the implant is to be properly oriented in the retro-mammary space, by the manufacturer before being sterilized and shipped to the surgeon. The invention implant/insertion sheath complex is long enough and small enough in diameter to permit introduction of the implant in the retro-mammary space through a small, distant incision (e.g., the umbilicus). Use of the invention implant/insertion sheath complex simplifies the breast augmentation procedure and shortens the time in which the surgeon can perform the breast augmentation procedure.

Abstract: A kit for use in the surgical implantation of an shaped implant. The kit includes a shaped balloon dissector packaged with an implant which, when inflated, has a shape complimentary with the shape of the dissector. Using orientation indicia for proper orientation, the surgical site is dissected with the shaped balloon dissector. Once so prepared, a shaped deflated implant is positioned within the site and then inflated. Since the implant's shape is complementary with the dissector's shape, the implant fits within the site without requiring excess site preparation.

Abstract: A balloon dissector in which an elastic balloon is positioned on an exterior portion of a rigid tube. The tube is inserted into the patient and then a medium, such as saline solution, is inserted into the hollow tube. The medium is communicated to an interior portion of the elastic balloon causing the balloon to expand and dissect tissue in the area. This dissection permits a subsequent surgical procedure to be performed at the site. Since the tube is rigid, one end of the tube is preferably shaped as a dissector. The rigid tube is graspable by the surgeon and is used as an instrument during its insertion into the site. The rigid tube, in one embodiment of the invention, is rigidly affixed to a syringe containing the medium so that the syringe/tube form one unit which is manipulated by the surgeon.