US4899764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tissue expander and method of making and using
Assignee: Dow Silicones Corp
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Filing: 1989-05-24
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Granted: 1990-02-13
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Expires: 2009-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A tissue expander and a method for making a tissue expander which includes (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation and which has an expandable upper section formed of (i) a first elastic portion and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a material having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of the material forming the first portion, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each portion at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion, thereby allowing the envelope to assume a complex shape. The tissue expander also has a means for inflating the envelope with a biocompatible fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. D. Gauger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/12; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A tissue expander comprising (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation, said envelope having an expandable upper section comprising (i) a first elastic portion formed of a first elastomer and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a second elastomer having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of said first elastomer wherein the moduli of elasticity are measured on specimens of said first and second elastomers having no laminations, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each elastomer at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion and causes the envelope to assume a complex shape, and (b) means for inflating said envelope with a biocompatible fluid associated therewith for the controlled inflation of said envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A tissue expander comprising (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation, said envelope having an expandable upper section comprising (i) a first elastic portion formed of a first elastomer and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a second elastomer having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of said first elastomer wherein the moduli of elasticity are measured on specimens of said first and second elastomers having no laminations, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each elastomer at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion and causes the envelope to assume a complex shape, and (b) means for inflating said envelope with a biocompatible fluid associated therewith for the controlled inflation of said envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second portion is smaller than said first portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of said second elastomer is less than 75% of that of said first elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of said second elastomer is less than half of that of said first elastomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said portions is laminated to the other of said portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second portion is laminated to said first portion at an opening in said first portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first portion extends around the majority of envelope leaving an area deficient of said first portion and said second portion extends around the entire envelope.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second portion comprises an inside layer and an outside layer which extend around the entire envelope and said first portion comprises an intermediate layer positioned between said inside layer and said outside layer which extends partially around said envelope, thereby leaving an area deficient of said first portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inflation means comprises an injection button for injection by a needle, said button having a hollow region which is in fluid communication with the interior of said envelope.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said portions are formed exclusively of elastomer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moduli of elasticity of the elastomers forming each portion predominantly controls the amount of expansion of each portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tissue expander as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second elastic portions are of the same thickness.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of expanding tissue of a patient comprising the steps of: (I) implanting beneath a section of tissue to be expanded a tissue expander comprising (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation, said envelope having an expandable upper section comprising (i) a first elastic portion formed of a first elastomer and (ii) a section elastic portion formed of a second elastomer having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of said first elastomer wherein the moduli of elasticity are measured on specimens of said first and second elastomers having no laminations, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each elastomer at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion and causes the envelope to assume a complex shape, and (b) means for inflating said envelope with a biocompatible fluid associated therewith for the controlled inflation of said envelope, and (II) inflating said envelope gradually over a period of time to expand the tissue overlying the envelope.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of expanding tissue of a patient comprising the steps of: (I) implanting beneath a section of tissue to be expanded a tissue expander comprising (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation, said envelope having an expandable upper section comprising (i) a first elastic portion formed of a first elastomer and (ii) a section elastic portion formed of a second elastomer having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of said first elastomer wherein the moduli of elasticity are measured on specimens of said first and second elastomers having no laminations, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each elastomer at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion and causes the envelope to assume a complex shape, and (b) means for inflating said envelope with a biocompatible fluid associated therewith for the controlled inflation of said envelope, and (II) inflating said envelope gradually over a period of time to expand the tissue overlying the envelope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
135 words
A tissue expander comprising (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation, said envelope having an expandable upper section free of fabric reinforcement comprising (i) a first elastic portion formed of a first elastomer and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a second elastomer having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of said first elastomer wherein the moduli of elasticity are measured on specimens of said first and second elastomers having no laminations, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each elastomer at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion and causes the envelope to assume a complex shape, and (b) means for inflating said envelope with a biocompatible fluid associated therewith for the controlled inflation of said envelope.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
135 words
A tissue expander comprising (a) a fluid-tight envelope which is inflatable by a single means for inflation, said envelope having an expandable upper section free of fabric reinforcement comprising (i) a first elastic portion formed of a first elastomer and (ii) a second elastic portion formed of a second elastomer having a lower modulus of elasticity than that of said first elastomer wherein the moduli of elasticity are measured on specimens of said first and second elastomers having no laminations, so that during the inflation of said envelope the modulus of elasticity of each elastomer at least partially controls the amount of expansion of each portion and causes the envelope to assume a complex shape, and (b) means for inflating said envelope with a biocompatible fluid associated therewith for the controlled inflation of said envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-02-12 | 1993-08-14 | 1994-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-12 | 1997-08-14 | 1998-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-12 | 2001-08-14 | 2002-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |