Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A prosthesis that can be filled with a fluid, comprising: an outer shell that has an inner cavity; and, an essentially dehydrated substance within said inner cavity, said dehydrated substance forms a gel when combined with the fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
The prosthesis as recited in claim 1, wherein said dehydrated substance is biocompatible.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis as recited in claim 2, wherein said dehydrated substance is an hydrophilic polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis as recited in claim 1, wherein said dehydrated substance is coated along an inner surface of said outer shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A prosthetic assembly that can be filled with a fluid, comprising: an outer shell that has an inner cavity; a secondary package that contains an essentially dehydrated substance that forms a gel when combined with the fluid and, an outer package that encloses said outer shell and said secondary package in a sterile condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said dehydrated substance is biocompatible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said dehydrated substance is an hydrophilic polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said outer shell, said secondary package and said outer package are sterilized.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for implanting a prosthesis within a body member, comprising the steps of: a) placing an outer shell into the body member, said outer shell having an inner cavity that contains an essentially dehydrated substance; and, b) introducing a fluid into said inner cavity, wherein said fluid and said dehydrated substance form a gel within said outer shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising a step of introducing additional fluid to said inner cavity to expand said outer shell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the fluid is introduced to said outer shell before said outer shell is placed within the body member.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for implanting a prosthesis within a body member, comprising the steps of: a) placing an outer shell into the body member, said outer shell having an inner cavity that contains an essentially dehydrated substance coated along an inner surface of said outer shell; and, b) introducing a fluid into said inner cavity, wherein said fluid and said dehydrated substance form a gel within said inner cavity of said outer shell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising a step of introducing additional fluid to said inner cavity to expand said outer shell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the fluid is introduced to said outer shell before said outer shell is placed within the body member.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for implanting a prosthesis within a body member, comprising the steps of: a) providing a sterile package which contains an outer shell and a secondary package, wherein said secondary package contains a dehydrated substance and said outer shell has an inner cavity; b) removing said outer shell from said sterile package; c) introducing a fluid into said secondary package, wherein the fluid and said dehydrated substance form a gel; d) placing said outer shell into the body member; and, e) transferring said gel from said secondary package to said inner cavity of said outer shell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising a step of introducing additional gel to said inner cavity to expand said outer shell.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 15, wherein gel is transferred to said outer shell before said outer shell is placed within the body member.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of creating a prosthesis within a body member, comprising the step of: a) introducing a dehydrated substance into the body member, wherein said dehydrated substance combines with body fluid to form a gel within the body member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 18, wherein said dehydrated substance is injected into the body member.