Self-sealing tissue expander and method
US5066303A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB32B2305/07
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The self-sealing tissue expander includes inner and outer layers of relatively nonflowable material and a median layer of flowable material, The median layer of flowable material which can include one or more sublayers of flowable material is under a predetermined compression imposed by the inner and outer layers due to a prestressing of the tissue expander shell during formation of the tissue expander. The self-sealing shell seals an opening in the shell wall following removal of an infusion needle. In all embodiments of the invention a needle stop member is provided to prevent the needle that accesses the fluid chamber from passing outwardly of the tissue expander. The need for a septum, a fluid conduit or a special fluid entry opening in the tissue expander shell is thus optional. The shell can also be made relatively more stretchable in some areas than in other areas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.