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US6214045B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Bioabsorbable breast implant

Assignee: SenoRx Inc
•
Filing: 1998-10-09
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Granted: 2001-04-10
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Expires: 2018-10-09
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Abstract

Abstract A breast implant has at least an outer shell which is composed of a resorbable material. The implant, which can be formed entirely of bioresorbable material, is sized and shaped to replace excised tissue. The implant supports surrounding tissue upon implantation, while allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue to replace the implant. According to various alternative embodiments, the implant is elastically compressible, or can be formed from self-expanding foam or sponges, and can be implanted through a cannula or by injection, as well as by open procedures. The implant also is capable of carrying therapeutic and diagnostic substances.

Inventors

  • 👤 John D. Corbitt, Jr.
  • 👤 Lori A. Leonetti

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 22:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61L27/58; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/12; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; A61L27/56; A61F2/0059; A61F2/0077

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim 63 words
An implant for implantation in a human body comprising an outer shell of resorbable material and a resorbable inner fluid core, the implant being formed to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body, the implant being configured to be installed for supporting tissue surrounding the cavity and allowing in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the outer shell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 63 words
An implant for implantation in a human body comprising an outer shell of resorbable material and a resorbable inner fluid core, the implant being formed to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body, the implant being configured to be installed for supporting tissue surrounding the cavity and allowing in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the outer shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell further comprises a non-resorbable material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is elastically compressible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the core is surrounded completely by the outer shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 12 words
The implant of claim 4 , wherein the core includes autologous material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of radiation material, antibiotics, chemotherapies, cancer therapies, hemostatic material, hormone therapies, and radiographic markers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising at least one medicinal, therapeutic or diagnostic substance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 45 words
The implant of claim 7 , wherein the at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of radiation material, antibiotics, chemotherapies, cancer therapies, hemostatic material, hormone therapies, and radiographic markers. and the step of implanting is performed by injection of the self-expanding foam.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for replacing excised human breast tissue with an implant comprising the steps of: forming a cavity having surrounding tissue within a breast; forming the implant entirely of resorbable material and sizing the implant to occupy the cavity; and implanting the implant in the cavity, the implant supporting the surrounding tissue and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the resorbable material wherein the resorbable material is elastically compressible, and the step of implanting includes the step of compressing the resorbable material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for replacing excised human breast tissue with an implant comprising the steps of: forming a cavity having surrounding tissue within a breast; forming the implant entirely of resorbable material and sizing the implant to occupy the cavity; and implanting the implant in the cavity, the implant supporting the surrounding tissue and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the resorbable material wherein the resorbable material is elastically compressible, and the step of implanting includes the step of compressing the resorbable material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of introducing into the implant at least one of a medicinal, therapeutic or diagnostic substance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of radiation material, antibiotics, chemotherapies, cancer therapies, hemostatic material, hormone therapies, and radiographic markers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the core includes a saline solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 30 words
The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a resorbable inner shell surrounding the inner core, and a supply of fluid disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 71 words
An implant for implantation in a human body comprising an outer shell of a resorbable material, the implant being formed to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body, the implant supporting tissue surrounding the cavity upon implantation and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the outer shell, and a resorbable core provided inside and surrounded by the outer shell and containing autologous material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 71 words
An implant for implantation in a human body comprising an outer shell of a resorbable material, the implant being formed to fit the shape and size of a cavity in the human body, the implant supporting tissue surrounding the cavity upon implantation and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the outer shell, and a resorbable core provided inside and surrounded by the outer shell and containing autologous material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 16 words
The implant of claim 14 , wherein the core is partially enclosed by a nonabsorbable material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of implanting the implant in the cavity comprises expanding the implant within the cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 39 words
A breast implant comprising a self-expanding matrix of biocompatible material, the expanded matrix having a porous structure for supporting surrounding tissue of a breast and configured to provide a framework for the in-growth of fibrous tissue into the matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 39 words
A breast implant comprising a self-expanding matrix of biocompatible material, the expanded matrix having a porous structure for supporting surrounding tissue of a breast and configured to provide a framework for the in-growth of fibrous tissue into the matrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 13 words
The breast implant of claim 17 , wherein the biocompatible material is resorbable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
The breast implant of claim 17 , wherein the self-expanding matrix comprises a foam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 32 words
The breast implant of claim 17 , wherein the self-expanding matrix comprises a resilient framework for implantation by compressing the matrix into a smaller volume, the matrix expanding resiliently within the breast.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 15 words
The implant of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is adjacent the inner core.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 88 words
A method for replacing excised human breast tissue with an implant comprising the steps of: forming a cavity having surrounding tissue within a breast; forming the implant entirely of resorbable material and sizing the implant to occupy the cavity; and implanting the implant in the cavity, the implant supporting the surrounding tissue and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the resorbable material, wherein the resorbable material is formed from a self-expanding foam and the step of implanting is performed by injection of the self-expanding foam.
Claim 27
Independent Claim 88 words
A method for replacing excised human breast tissue with an implant comprising the steps of: forming a cavity having surrounding tissue within a breast; forming the implant entirely of resorbable material and sizing the implant to occupy the cavity; and implanting the implant in the cavity, the implant supporting the surrounding tissue and allowing for in-growth of fibrous tissue into and replacing the resorbable material, wherein the resorbable material is formed from a self-expanding foam and the step of implanting is performed by injection of the self-expanding foam.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of introducing into the implant at least one of a medicinal, therapeutic or diagnostic substance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the at least one substance is selected from the group consisting of radiation material, antibiotics, chemotherapies, cancer therapies, hemostatic material, hormone therapies, and radiographic markers.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 2004-04-09 2004-10-09 2005-04-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-04-09 2008-10-09 2009-04-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-04-09 2012-10-09 2013-04-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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