Absorbable implants for plastic surgery

US10058417B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tepha, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Skander Limem · Lynnfield, US
• Emily Stires · Cambridge, US
• Rebecca Holmes · North Reading, US
• Said Rizk · Windham, US
• Arikha Moses · New York, US
• Fabio Felix · Foxborough, US
• Bruce Van Natta · Westfield, US
• Antonio Fosco · Lexington, US
• David P. Martin · Arlington, US
• Simon F. Williams · Sherborn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 28, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/7532
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.