Abstract: A method for utilizing an implant in a human breast includes forming a breast cavity within the breast at a lumpectomy site, the breast cavity having surrounding tissue; forming a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biocompatible and biodegradable material configured to allow for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the biocompatible and biodegradable material, the biocompatible and biodegradable material being elastically compressible; sizing the substantially radio-opaque implant to occupy the breast cavity; and implanting within the breast cavity the substantially radio-opaque implant to support the tissue surrounding the breast cavity, the step of implanting including compressing the biocompatible and biodegradable material.

Abstract: An implant for marking an area within a living body includes a matrix material and a marking material. The implant is formable to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body. The implant is configured to support tissue surrounding the cavity and to allow in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replace at least a portion of the matrix material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an item, such as an external breast prosthesis, an anti-decubitus cushion or mattress, comprising a closed envelope A made of a soft material and containing as filler a silicone gel that comprises an odor masking active ingredient C.

Abstract: An external breast prosthesis having a thin-walled outer shell and an air-filled interior cavity. The prosthesis is fabricated using a method and die set to form the two-part shell without internal supporting structure. The method provides a repeatable process which yields a prosthesis having durable air-tight seal between the anterior and posterior shell and a Class-A exterior surface which accurately replicates the visual and tactile characteristics of a human breast.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a funnel member, a coupling member and retractors. The funnel member is flexible and is frusto-conical in shape. The funnel member proximal end opening is larger than the distal end opening. The funnel member couples to a distal or coupling member that is located at the funnel member distal end portion. The distal or coupling member is rigid and has catches for removably coupling to the retractors. In use, the retractors anchor the apparatus to the patient while allowing the funnel member to be manipulated to force the prosthesis into a surgical cavity of a patient.

Abstract: A prosthetic device configured for surgical implantation including at least a part of an electronic and/or electromechanical device and comprising an outer chamber, compartment, or bladder; an inner chamber, compartment, or bladder inside the outer chamber, compartment, or bladder; and an internal sipe separating at least a part of the outer chamber, compartment, or bladder and at least a part of the inner chamber, compartment, or bladder. The internal sipe is formed by at least a portion of an inner surface of the outer chamber, compartment, or bladder and at least a portion of an outer surface of the inner chamber, compartment, or bladder. The inner and outer surface portions forming the internal sipe oppose each other and can move relative to each other in a sliding motion. At least a portion of an outer surface of the outer chamber, compartment, or bladder is proximate to an outer surface of the prosthetic device.

Abstract: Shells for mammary prostheses and other devices are created by spraying a silicone dispersion onto a mandrel. Several coats of dispersion are applied with an interval for evaporation of solvent from the dispersion between application of coats. The shells created are uniform in thickness and have a desirably defect-free surface.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.

Abstract: An implantable tissue expander including an internal skeletal element extending between a base surface and an outer surface and including at least one plurality of elongate cells extending along mutually generally parallel axes from the base surface to the outer surface and being defined by elongate cell walls formed of a resilient material and a sealed enclosure, sealing the internal skeletal element and adapted for preventing body fluids from filling the plurality of elongate cells.

Abstract: A method of partial breast radiation therapy includes placing within a breast cavity a substantially radio-opaque implant constructed of biocompatible material, said substantially radio-opaque implant supporting the tissue surrounding the breast cavity; and directing a radiation beam to said substantially radio-opaque implant serving as a target for delivery of radiation therapy to margins around the breast cavity, such that the radiation beam does not materially irradiate the whole of the breast.

Abstract: A breast implant having a fluid holding and flexible membrane body. A plurality of tabs are located along a perimeter extending side or underside of the body and are adapted for engaging a muscle layer upon which the body is supported. Inner defining partitioning walls establishing a plurality of chambers and include vents at inner locations in order to manage the transfer of fluid between the chambers. A corresponding nipple implant body also includes a reservoir chamber and an interconnected nipple extender chamber via a stop or check valve positioned therebetween, with the outermost nipple extender chamber being repositionable along a surface of the implant body.

Abstract: A prosthesis, for example a breast or a finger prosthesis, is formed for mating with a first body portion of a user such that the prosthesis is symmetrical with a second body portion of the user. The prosthesis is formed at a manufacturing location using castings of the first and second body portions which the user creates themselves at a user location separate from the manufacturing location using a user casting kit. The user casting kit includes casting material, skin colour samples and any additional tools required for the subsequent manufacture of a custom prosthesis without the user being required to leave the user location.

Abstract: Described herein are open celled foams including a matrix of interconnected spheres. Also described herein are methods of making open celled foams as well as making composite members with open celled foam coatings covering at least a portion of the composite member. The open celled foams described herein are silicone based materials and can be used to coat implants such as breast implants and function to encourage tissue ingrowth and reduce capsular formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an artificial breast prosthesis which minimizes stress concentration and to a production method therefore, and more specifically relates to an artificial breast prosthesis which has excellent mechanical properties, superior tactile texture, and excellent safety and efficacy as a breast prosthesis, and also relates to a production method therefore. The artificial breast prosthesis made with the production method of the present invention, comprises a silicone shell which is of the same thickness as the connecting portion and has the same or similar physical properties thereof, and which minimizes the concentration of the stresses sustained after insertion into the body and maximizes resistance to fatigue failure such that durability is improved while at the same time the thinness of the connecting portion provides an outstanding texture to the prosthesis as a whole, and safety and efficiency are improved as stress concentration is minimized.

Abstract: A tissue expansion device implanted in a non-activated state over a region of desired tissue growth. Once implanted and positioned the device is activated creating a supporting structure that creates a convex shaped dome over the underlying tissue. The convex shaped dome formed by the tissue expansion device places a tensile stress against the underlying tissue that promotes tissue growth. Alone or with the introduction of tissue enhancing agents and/or adipose tissue, new tissue within the convex shaped void grows until a balance is achieved eliminating the induced stress. Periodically the tissue expansion devices is again activated and enlarged creating an even larger void. Again, the newly enlarged void places additional tensile stress on the underlying tissue thus repeating the cycle of new tissue growth. Once the desired amount of tissue growth has been achieved the device is deactivated and removed.

Abstract: A prosthetic breast form and a method of making thereof provides for a flexible resilient stretchable soft pouch adapted to be filled with a desired quantity of granular material to simulate shape and volume of a natural woman's breast. The pouch can be made from a nylon net, spandex, and microfibers, mixed together or with natural fibers. The granular filler can be made from a natural or artificial material. The method provides for the user to fill the pouch with the desired quantity of the filler material suitable for a particular lingerie item or garment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is curved in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted.

Abstract: A medical implant assembly and method having a medical implant, e.g. a breast prostheses, attached to a biological interface. The biological interface is comprised of a dermal material with capsular contracture inhibiting properties so that once the medical assembly is inserted into the host, the biological interface, which is intimately coupled to the implant, prevents/reduces capsular contracture formation around the implant. The biological interface comprises a plurality of apertures along its periphery, and attaches to the medical implant by receiving a plurality of attachment flaps or appendages located on the exterior surface of the medical implant within or through the apertures. The attachment of the biological interface is such that the assembly remains intact even where the attachment flaps loosen upon expansion of the implant after insertion into a host, as where the implant is therein injected to a desired dimension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a body part shaped mould, for example for creating a test breast, a customized bra or a test body part and a method for using such a mould. The mould is characterised in that it is made of a formstable material having a predetermined shape forming at least one cup. The cup is having a breast like appearance or a body part appearance with a specific size and shape and is adapted to be fitted to a patient's chest or corresponding body part, It is also adapted to be filled with a hardening mixture in a cavity formed between the mould and the chest or corresponding body part. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to try out a suitable size and shape of a breast or other body part, before an implantation is made.

Abstract: Methods for applying surface texture to the exterior of bodily implants, as well as implants made by the methods described.

Abstract: A cushion for a patient interface includes two or more bladders arranged in concentric relation. Each of the bladders includes a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face, and each of the bladders is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another. At least one of the bladders is an active bladder that is pressurized to at least a sealing pressure to form a continuous seal with the patient's face in use.

Abstract: A novel method of partial breast radiation utilizing a breast implant which can provide a stable and improved target for stereotactic radiation treatment.

Abstract: An implantable soft tissue prosthesis comprising a hollow shell formed of a flexible elastomeric envelope, the shell having an inner volume and an exterior surface, when the inner volume is filled with an elastomeric silicone tubing that is preshaped conforming to the inner volume of the shell, the prosthesis being adapted to be surgically implanted in a human breast.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a lubricating coating on an inner surface. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve is provided for implant delivery. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicone breast implant) is introduced into a large proximal end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized distal end of the device. Sized appropriately to the implant, the sleeve remains intact during implant run-through of the sleeve.

Abstract: Phosphorus-based coatings having a plurality of phosphate moieties, a plurality of phosphonate moieties, or both, covalently bonded to an oxide surface of an implantable substrate exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics: (a) the surface phosphorus-containing group density of the coated regions of the substrate is at least about 0.1 nmol/cm2; (b) the phosphorus-based coating has a thickness of less than about 10 nm; or (c) the surface phosphorus-containing group density of the coated regions of the substrate is equal to or greater than the surface hydroxyl group density of the oxide surface of the substrate. Implantable devices embodying the coated substrates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a tissue expanding portion and an enclosure positioned on a surface of the tissue expanding portion. The enclosure includes an enclosure wall and a drug formulation pocket defined by the enclosure wall. A solid drug formulation that includes a drug is housed within the drug formulation pocket.

Abstract: An implant for marking an area within a living body includes a matrix material and a marking material. The implant is formable to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body. The implant is configured to support tissue surrounding the cavity and to allow in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replace at least a portion of the matrix material.

Abstract: An external lightweight breast prosthesis comprising an elastomeric polyurethane skin filled with copolymer gel filler comprising a mixture of mineral oil, thermoplastic copolymer and glass microspheres and initially configured to approximate the shape of a natural breast wherein the breast prosthesis can be reconfigured to be customized to the individual wearer by subjecting the prosthesis to heating, reshaping, and followed by cooling until the prosthesis retains its new shape.

Abstract: Compositions of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed that are generally in the form of an elastic, hydrophilic, water-insoluble viscous cohesive mass of material that has many important medical uses including uses as a filler for implants. The present invention also involves a process for producing such compositions.

Abstract: A variable cohesive gel form stabilizing implant is disclosed for augmentation or reconstruction of the breast. The prosthesis of this invention comprises an implantable shell or envelope (not limited to a single shell or envelope), filled with a biocompatible gel, or gels, having alterations in gel cohesiveness to maintain stable form, shape, and dimension after surgical implantation. The gel cohesiveness may increase, with increased volume or dimension of the prosthesis. The variable cohesiveness of the gel filler material may be altered by any means (i.e. chemical, fabrication, etc.). The variable cohesive gel form stabilizing implant has shape retention characteristics to maintain its form, thereby reducing or eliminating the undesirable effects of shell wrinkling, knuckling, scalloping or deformation, which can occur at the upper or lower pole of the prostheses, along the perimeter of the shell or at the base, post-implantation.

Abstract: New Bacillus licheniformis strain named V9T14 that produces a new biosurfactant composition that is effective against colonization and/or bio film formation from bacteria. The new biosurfactant composition can be used in combination with biocides for preventing formation and/or for eradicating bacteria grown planktonically and/or as a biofilm, preferably on biotic and/or abiotic surfaces.

Abstract: A breast implant selector system including a breast width selector for selecting breast width input information, a breast tissue type selector for selecting breast tissue type input information in response to breast width input information selected with the breast width selector, and an implant size selector for selecting implant size input information in response to the breast tissue type input information selected with the breast tissue type selector. A result indicator provides a result characterizing at least one suggested breast implant as a function of the input breast width, breast tissue type, and implant size input information.

Abstract: Compositions of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed that are generally in the form of an elastic, hydrophilic, water-insoluble viscous cohesive mass of material that has many important medical uses including uses as a filler for implants. The present invention also involves a process for producing such compositions.

Abstract: A reduced weight implantable prosthesis, including, an outer surface shell for encapsulating the prosthesis, a gel mixture comprising a mixture of a cohesive gel and micro-spheres for filling the shell, one or more inner volumes internal to the shell which do not contain the gel mixture; and wherein the gel mixture contains less than 60% by volume of micro-spheres mixed into the cohesive gel.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels having advantageous physical properties, and covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions made by such methods, as well as articles of manufacture comprising such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions. The physical properties of the produced hydrogels can be adjusted by varying controlled parameters such as the proportion of physical associations, the concentration of polymer and the amount of radiation applied. Such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels can be made translucent, preferably transparent, or opaque depending on the processing conditions. The stability of the physical properties of the produced vinyl polymer hydrogel can be enhanced by controlling the amount of covalent crosslinks.

Abstract: Compositions of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed that are generally in the form of an elastic, hydrophilic, water-insoluble viscous cohesive mass of material that has many important medical uses including uses as a filler for implants. The present invention also involves a process for producing such compositions.

Abstract: A prosthetic breast form that is worn external to the human body to simulate a missing breast or portion thereof has a fabric pouch that defines an outer shape that approximates a breast shape or portion thereof, and that further defines an inner compartment; and a filler disposed within the inner compartment, the filler comprising a free flowing blend of clustered fiber filler, filler beads and weighting beads that are intermingled, where the weight of the filler is between approximately 1.25 ounces and 40 ounces. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: The present document describes a prosthesis for a mastectomy bra comprising: a lower portion comprising a manually malleable material having a first density; and an upper portion comprising a manually malleable material having a second density smaller than the first density, the lower portion being substantially located below the upper portion thereby insuring stability of the prosthesis when in use. There is also described a bra for receiving the prosthesis.

Abstract: An external breast prosthesis having a thin-walled outer shell and an air-filled interior cavity. The prosthesis is fabricated using a method and die set to form the two-part shell without internal supporting structure. The method provides a repeatable process which yields a prosthesis having durable air-tight seal between the anterior and posterior shell and a Class-A exterior surface which accurately replicates the visual and tactile characteristics of a human breast.

Abstract: Filamentous bodies which are longitudinally extended and other film-like constructions are made by combining liquid siliceous precursors with air and extruding them. Distinct types or grades of fibers, strands, and other film-like constructions are produced which have a multiplicity of useful applications and indications for use owing to their inherent memory, compactability, tensile strength and density. A prosthetic device for a mastectomy bra is constructed with filamentous bodies. It can be sewn permanently into the bra cup. The device can be refilled to counteract volume loss.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve is provided for implant delivery. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicone breast implant) is introduced into a large proximal end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized distal end of the device. Sized appropriately to the implant, the sleeve remains intact during implant run-through of the sleeve.

Abstract: An inflatable prosthetic breast assembly may include a pliant body. The assembly may also include a single and uniform outer layer that contiguously extends along an anterior face of the body as well as a rear wall removably attached to a posterior face of the body and a core permanently intercalated between the outer layer and the rear wall. The body may further include a mechanism for selectively modifying the shape of the body which may include a plurality of hollow pockets formed within the core and extending forwardly from the posterior face. A plurality of inflatable bladders may be removably seated within the pockets respectively. Each bladder preferably has an air-inlet orifice formed at a posterior side thereof. The body shape modifying mechanism may also include a hand-operable air pump to introduce volumes of air into the bladders respectively.

Abstract: The present specification provides for methods for purifying fibroins, purified fibroins, methods of conjugating biological and synthetic molecules to fibroins, fibroins conjugated to such molecules, methods of making fibroin hydrogels, fibroin hydrogels and fibroin hydrogel formulations useful for a variety of medical uses, including, without limitation uses as bulking agents, tissue space fillers, templates for tissue reconstruction or regeneration, cell culture scaffolds for tissue engineering and for disease models, surface coating to improve medical device function, or drug delivery devices.

Abstract: Methods for applying surface texture to the exterior of bodily implants, as well as implants made by the methods described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the modelling or the lifting of normal or distended tissue (a target tissue) in human being which comprises at least one thread, said thread having: at its distal end an expandable radially outwardly anchoring means conceived to anchor a stable anchoring tissue, and at its proximal end a sustaining means conceived to lift a mobile target tissue, so that the target tissue is linked with the anchoring tissue thanks to said device. The invention concerns an assembly which comprises at least one device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable, external breast prosthesis, comprising a body substantially corresponding to the shape and firmness of the female breast and made from one or more flexible plastic parts, wherein the side of the prosthesis facing the skin has antimicrobial properties due to an antimicrobial coating and/or to antimicrobial material in the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase wherein a) the continuous phase comprises a water vapour permeable hydrophobic polymer; and b) the discontinuous phase comprises a water soluble compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an item, such as an external breast prosthesis, an anti-decubitus cushion or mattress, comprising a closed envelope A made of a soft material and containing as filler a silicone gel that comprises an odor masking active ingredient C.