US4936858A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Implantable fabric pouch for mammary prosthesis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-05-24
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2008-05-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention discloses a pouch to contain a mammary implant formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn; the pouch being so constructed that the surface intended to form the anterior layer in use is relatively inextensible in the vertical direction as compared with at least one axis non-parallel thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul O'Keeffe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An implantable pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto, said net-like material forming a closed pouch, whereby said relatively inextensible axis of the anterior layer of said pouch upon implantation is aligned with the cephalic-caudal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An implantable pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto, said net-like material forming a closed pouch, whereby said relatively inextensible axis of the anterior layer of said pouch upon implantation is aligned with the cephalic-caudal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pouch material is tulle fabricated from polyester monofilament yarn of between 0.001 and 0.5 millimeters diameter the tulle having openings between 0.001 and 5 millimeters diameter; the tulle being pre-stressed before implantation so as to produce an elongated diamond pattern between the yarns comprising the material with the long axes of the diamond being parallel to the axis in which the material is intended to be relatively inextensible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A pouch in accordance with either of claim 1 wherein the material of the pouch is additionally relatively inextensible on its posterior side along an oblique axis parallel to the lines of stress traditionally present on the posterior side of a breast due to the combined influence of the pectoral muscles and gravitational stresses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 1 wherein the extensibility of the relatively inextensible axis of the pouch is no greater than 5 percent from its equilibrium position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 1 wherein the relative inextensibility along one axis of the material of the pouch arises from the inclusion of layers of yarn parallel to such axis which yarn itself is relatively inextensible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 1 wherein the relative inextensibility along one axis arises from the manner in which the yarn is formed into the fabric rather than inherent characteristics of the yarn itself.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A pouch in accordance with any one of claim 1, hereof wherein the pouch material is relatively extensible along all axes non-parallel to those specified as relatively inextensible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 1 hereof wherein the pouch material is relatively extensible along all axes non-parallel to those specified as relatively inextensible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 3 hereof wherein the pouch material is relatively extensible along all axes non-parallel to those specified as relatively inextensible.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implantable pouch of claim 1, wherein said bio-compatible, non-biodegradable yarn is polymeric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 10 wherein the material of the pouch is additionally relatively inextensible on its posterior side along an oblique axis parallel to the lines of stress traditionally present on the posterior side of a breast due to the combined influence of the pectoral muscles and gravitational stresses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A pouch in accordance with claim 11 hereof wherein the pouch material is relatively extensible along all axes non-parallel to those specified as relatively inextensible.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of implanting a pouch comprising: (a) taking a tissue sample from a breast which is to receive a prosthesis and observing fiber orientation within the tissue; (b) selecting a pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto; (c) placing the prosthesis within the pouch; (d) inserting the prosthesis-containing pouch within the breast in such an orientation that the pouch is relatively inextensible in a direction parallel to the lines of stress in the breast as indicated by the tissue sample.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of implanting a pouch comprising: (a) taking a tissue sample from a breast which is to receive a prosthesis and observing fiber orientation within the tissue; (b) selecting a pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto; (c) placing the prosthesis within the pouch; (d) inserting the prosthesis-containing pouch within the breast in such an orientation that the pouch is relatively inextensible in a direction parallel to the lines of stress in the breast as indicated by the tissue sample.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of implanting a pouch comprising: (a) selecting a pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto, the pouch having a diameter up to 40 percent greater than the equilibrium diameter of the prosthesis which it is to contain; (b) placing the prosthesis within the pouch; (c) locating the prosthesis-containing pouch in the breast such that the relatively inextensible axis of the anterior layer of the pouch is aligned with the cephalic-caudal axis.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of implanting a pouch comprising: (a) selecting a pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto, the pouch having a diameter up to 40 percent greater than the equilibrium diameter of the prosthesis which it is to contain; (b) placing the prosthesis within the pouch; (c) locating the prosthesis-containing pouch in the breast such that the relatively inextensible axis of the anterior layer of the pouch is aligned with the cephalic-caudal axis.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for implanting a pouch in a breast comprising: (a) providing a pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch being formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn and having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto; and (b) implanting the pouch in a breast such that the relatively inextensible axis of the anterior layer of the pouch is aligned with the cephalic-caudal axis.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for implanting a pouch in a breast comprising: (a) providing a pouch capable of receiving a mammary prosthesis, said pouch being formed from a net-like material fabricated from a bio-compatible non-biodegradable yarn and having one axis which is relatively inextensible as compared to at least one other axis non-parallel thereto; and (b) implanting the pouch in a breast such that the relatively inextensible axis of the anterior layer of the pouch is aligned with the cephalic-caudal axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |