Prosthesis formed by inner and outer inflatable containers

Claim 1

A breast prosthesis comprising an outer inflatable container of flexible biological implant material; an inner inflatable container of flexible biological implant material, substantially concentric with said outer container; a valve associated with each container and for admitting fluid to the container with which it is associated, and for sealing the fluid within the container after filling thereof; removable fluid-filling means for penetrating said valves and providing the introduction of fluid therethrough; and wherein both valves are self-sealing and wherein said removable fluid-filling means comprises a single tubular member penetrating both self-sealing valves at the same time, and means mounting said tubular member for movement from a position penetrating both self-sealing valves to a position penetrating only the self-sealing valve of said outer container, to a position penetrating neither valve.

Claim 6

A method of practicing augmentation mamoplasty utilizing a breast prosthesis including inner and outer substantially concentric inflatable containers of flexible biological implant material, each having a valve associated therewith, and wherein a removable tubular fluid-filling member extends from exteriorly of both the containers through the valves and the valves are self-sealing; said method comprising the steps of substantially sequentially (a) forming an incision in the breast area; (b) placing the prosthesis, with both containers deflated, through the incision beneath the breast; (c) filling the at least one deflated container with a physiologic fluid, and providing sealing of the valve associated with that container to seal the fluid within the container; by: (d) filling the inner container with a physiologic fluid by introducing fluid through the tubular member into the inner container, and then withdrawing the tubular member from passage through the self-sealing valve of the inner container while it remains passing through the self-sealing valve of the outer container, to seal the fluid within the inner container, and (e) filling the outer container with a physiologic fluid by introducing fluid through the tubular member into the outer container, and then withdrawing the tubular member from passage through the self-sealing valve of the outer container, and to seal the fluid within the outer container; and (f) closing the incision.

Claim 7

A method of practicing augmentation mamoplasty utilizing a breast prosthesis including inner and outer substantially concentric inflatable containers of flexible biological implant material, each having a valve associated therewith, and wherein a removable tubular fluid-filling member extends from exteriorly of both the containers through the valves and the valves are self-sealing; said method comprising the steps of substantially sequentially (a) forming an incision in the breast area; (b) placing the prosthesis, with both containers deflated, through the incision beneath the breast; (c) filling the at least one deflated container with a physiologic fluid, and providing sealing of the valve associated with that container to seal the fluid within the container; by: (d) filling the inner container with a physiologic fluid by introducing fluid through the tubular member into the inner container, and then withdrawing the tubular member from passage through the self-sealing valve of the inner container while it remains passing through the self-sealing valve of the outer container, to seal the fluid within the inner container, and (e) filling the outer container with a physiologic fluid by introducing fluid through the tubular member into the outer container, and then withdrawing the tubular member from passage through the self-sealing valve of the outer container, and to seal the fluid within the outer container; and (f) closing the incision.