Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

Abstract: A prosthesis can include a shell and a needle guard coupled to a posterior portion of the shell. The shell can include a laminate having a base layer, a top layer, and a soft silicone gel intermediate layer disposed between the base layer and the top layer and of sufficient thickness for self-sealing of a needle hole therethrough. The needle guard can include a plurality of offset layers of offset, puncture-resistance structures that, in an expanded state, (i) collectively form a concave shape and (ii) provide a concave exterior surface along the posterior portion of the prosthesis for approximating a human anatomical feature. The needle guard can have a shape memory characteristic for urging the prosthesis toward the expanded state.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

Abstract: A laminate useful as a component of a medical implant, for example, useful as a component of an inflatable tissue expander. The laminate includes a base layer, an intermediate layer, and a top layer. When used as a component of a tissue expander, the laminate enables an internal chamber pressure of about 2.5 psi with an expander exterior compressive force of about 40 lbs.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a gastric banding system, including an implantable access port. The access port assembly may comprise a self-sealing septum, a housing, a mesh rivet and a mesh layer. The housing may include a septum retaining portion for holding the septum in place, and a base for defining an internal fluid reservoir and further defining a rivet receiving portion and a rivet engaging member, the housing further including a tubing connector configured to connect to a tubing for the movement of fluid into and out of the internal fluid reservoir. The mesh layer may be positioned beneath the housing and may define a plurality of spaces. The mesh rivet may engage the rivet engaging member to hold the mesh rivet in place while holding the mesh layer between a base of the mesh rivet and the housing of the access port.

Abstract: An inflatable tissue expander or more permanent prosthesis, suitable for implantation in a breast, is provided. The tissue expander includes a puncturable, self-sealing anterior portion forming a fillable cavity, and posterior portion that is puncture resistant. The anterior portion includes a silicone-based elastomer material having a mesh embedded therein. The posterior portion includes a first composite guard and a second composite guard, each composite guard including an arrangement of puncture resistant members and a flexible substrate having a first side on which the puncture resistant members are disposed in a spaced apart fashion.

Abstract: A tissue expander includes an elastomeric shell having an anterior inside surface and a posterior inside surface with a self-healing layer abutting only a portion of the anterior inside surface. The layer is spaced apart from the posterior inside surface while facilitating folding of the shell prior to insertion into a tissue pocket and also enabling inflation of the shell subsequent to insertion by a fluid injected between the self healing layer and posterior surface.

Abstract: An inflatable tissue expander or more permanent prosthesis, suitable for implantation in a breast, is provided. The tissue expander includes a puncturable, self-sealing anterior portion forming a fillable cavity, and posterior portion that is puncture resistant. The anterior portion includes a silicone-based elastomer material having a mesh embedded therein. The posterior portion includes a first composite guard and a second composite guard, each composite guard including an arrangement of puncture resistant members and a flexible substrate having a first side on which the puncture resistant members are disposed in a spaced apart fashion.

Abstract: An implantable device comprises a reservoir for holding a fluid and a sensor positioned between the gastric band and the reservoir. The sensor monitors a parameter of the fluid when filling and draining the inflatable portion of the gastric band. A first flow control device controls a flow of the fluid when filling and draining the inflatable portion of the gastric band. A pumping device moves the fluid into and out of the inflatable portion of the gastric band, and the pumping device is capable of being activated and deactivated using a telemetric signal received from a remote device.

Abstract: An inflatable tissue expander or more permanent prosthesis, suitable for implantation in a breast, is provided.

Abstract: Described herein are polysaccharide gel formulations including at least one inhibitor of polysaccharide degradation and methods of making the same. The methods described herein involve the steps of providing at least one polysaccharide and incorporating at least one inhibitor of degradation into the polysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a gastric banding system, including an implantable access port. The access port assembly may comprise a self-sealing septum, a housing, a mesh rivet and a mesh layer. The housing may include a septum retaining portion for holding the septum in place, and a base for defining an internal fluid reservoir and further defining a rivet receiving portion and a rivet engaging member, the housing further including a tubing connector configured to connect to a tubing for the movement of fluid into and out of the internal fluid reservoir. The mesh layer may be positioned beneath the housing and may define a plurality of spaces. The mesh rivet may engage the rivet engaging member to hold the mesh rivet in place while holding the mesh layer between a base of the mesh rivet and the housing of the access port.

Abstract: A tissue expander includes an elastomeric shell having an anterior inside surface and a posterior inside surface with a self-healing layer abutting only a portion of the anterior inside surface. The layer is spaced apart from the posterior inside surface while facilitating folding of the shell prior to insertion into a tissue pocket and also enabling inflation of the shell subsequent to insertion by a fluid injected between the self healing layer and posterior surface.

Abstract: A needle guard assembly includes a first composite guard and a second composite guard, each including an arrangement of puncture resistant members on a flexible substrate. The first composite guard and the second composite guard are positioned such that the arrangement of puncture resistant members of the second composite guard are misaligned with the arrangement of puncture resistant members of the first composite guard. The assembly further includes an intermediate layer disposed between and connecting the first composite guard with the second composite guard.

Abstract: An inflatable tissue expander, suitable for implantation in a breast, is provided. The tissue expander includes a puncturable, self-sealing anterior portion forming a fillable cavity, and posterior portion that is puncture resistant. The anterior portion includes a silicone-based elastomer material having a mesh embedded therein. The posterior portion includes a first composite guard and a second composite guard, each composite guard including an arrangement of puncture resistant members and a flexible substrate having a first side on which the puncture resistant members are disposed in a spaced apart fashion.

Abstract: An inflatable tissue expander or more permanent prosthesis, suitable for implantation in a breast, is provided. The tissue expander includes a puncturable, self-sealing anterior portion forming a fillable cavity, and posterior portion that is puncture resistant. The anterior portion includes a silicone-based elastomer material having a mesh embedded therein. The posterior portion includes a first composite guard and a second composite guard, each composite guard including an arrangement of puncture resistant members and a flexible substrate having a first side on which the puncture resistant members are disposed in a spaced apart fashion.

Abstract: An implantable device comprises a reservoir for holding a fluid and a sensor positioned between the gastric band and the reservoir. The sensor monitors a parameter of the fluid when filling and draining the inflatable portion of the gastric band. A first flow control device controls a flow of the fluid when filling and draining the inflatable portion of the gastric band. A pumping device moves the fluid into and out of the inflatable portion of the gastric band, and the pumping device is capable of being activated and deactivated using a telemetric signal received from a remote device.