Patents Represented by Attorney Linda Fox
  • Patent number: 8318695
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to novel biocompatible crosslinked polysaccharide gel compositions, methods of their manufacture and use, and the novel crosslinkers used to make them. In one aspect of the invention, a novel polyethylene glycol crosslinking agent is described for crosslinking hyaluronic acid. In another aspect of the invention, novel crosslinking agents comprising more than two functional groups are described. These multifunctional crosslinking agents can be used on their own to crosslink hyaluronic acid, or they may be combined with bifunctional crosslinking agents in varying ratios to make hyaluronic acid of tunable mechanical strength and hardness. The present invention also discloses novel hyaluronic acid compositions that have been coated with polyethylene glycol and methods of their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dimitrios Stroumpoulis, Ahmet Tezel
  • Patent number: 8313527
    Abstract: A method of texturing a soft prosthetic implant shell, such as a silicone breast implant shell. A soft prosthetic implant with a textured external surface layer of silicone elastomer and having an open-cell structure is made by adhering and then dissolving round salt crystals. The resulting roughened surface has enhanced physical properties relative to surfaces formed with angular salt crystals. An implant having such a textured external surface layer is expected to help prevent capsular contraction, to help prevent scar formation, and to help in anchoring the implant within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Powell, Loantrang Dang
  • Patent number: 8294708
    Abstract: Various methods, techniques or modules are provided to allow for the automated analysis of the 3-D representation of the upper front torso (i) to recognize 3-D anatomical features, (ii) to orient the subject with reference to their anatomy or a display, (iii) to determine dimensional analysis including direct point-to-point lines, 3-D surface lines, and volume values, (iv) to simulate the outcome with the addition of breast implants including breast and nipple positioning, (v) to assist in the selection of the breast implants, and/or (vi) to assist in the planning of breast surgery. The automated analysis is based on the analysis of changes in a 3-D contour map of the upper torso, orientation analysis of 3-D features and planes, color analysis of 3-D features, and/or dimensional analysis of 3-D features and positions of the upper torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Mordaunt, G. Patrick Maxwell