All-barrier elastomeric gel-filled breast prosthesis
US8043373B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 2008 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2210/0076
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An elastomeric gel-filled prosthetic implant having a shell made of a single gel barrier layer. The barrier layer is formed of a homogeneous silicone elastomer capable of sterically retarding permeation of the silicone gel through the shell and having a bleed rate that is less than about 40% of the bleed rate of current shells which use a sandwiched construction with an internal barrier layer. Further, the barrier layer shell is made of a material that exhibits a wet strength that is comparable to or greater than current shells. The silicone elastomer may be a polydimethyl siloxane, and the substituted chemical group is a diphenyl group with a minimum mole percent of at least 13%. The implant may be designed for breast reconstruction or augmentation such that the shell is accordingly shaped. The shell wall thickness is at least 0.254 mm (0.010 inches), and desirably about 0.456 mm (0.018 inches). The implant shell may be made by dip-forming, spray-forming, or rotational molding. The exterior may be smooth or textured.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.