US4624671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of sizing and implanting breast prosthesis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-25
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2004-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A method of sizing a breast prosthesis and implanting an accurately sized breast prosthesis is disclosed. The method invovles implanting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon in a breast, filling the balloon with a liquid to a desired size, measuring the amount of liquid in the filled balloon, removing the liquid from the balloon, and removing the empty balloon from the breast. A final breast prosthesis is sized in accordance with the amount of liquid that was in the filled balloon. The properly sized final breast prosthesis is then implanted into the breast.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W. Kress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of sizing a breast prosthesis comprising the steps of (a) implanting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon in a breast; (b) filling the balloon with a liquid to a desired size; (c) measuring the amount of liquid in the filled balloon; (d) removing the liquid from the balloon; and (e) removing the empty balloon from the breast.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of sizing a breast prosthesis comprising the steps of (a) implanting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon in a breast; (b) filling the balloon with a liquid to a desired size; (c) measuring the amount of liquid in the filled balloon; (d) removing the liquid from the balloon; and (e) removing the empty balloon from the breast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the balloon is made of a nontoxic, flexible plastic material impermeable to liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the balloon is made of a silicone elastomer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the balloon is filled by a syringe connected thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 wherein a filler tube is connected between the syringe and the balloon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the syringe includes a barrel and a stem slidably mounted within the barrel and wherein the amount of liquid in the filled balloon is measured by observing the extent of travel of the stem within the barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the balloon is filled with a saline solution.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of implanting a precisely sized breast prosthesis comprising the steps of (a) implanting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon in a breast; (b) filling the balloon with a liquid to a desired size; (c) measuring the amount of liquid in the filled balloon; (d) sizing a final breast prosthesis in accordance with the amount of liquid in the filled balloon; (e) removing the liquid from the balloon; (f) removing the empty balloon from the breast; and (g) implanting the final breast prosthesis.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of implanting a precisely sized breast prosthesis comprising the steps of (a) implanting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon in a breast; (b) filling the balloon with a liquid to a desired size; (c) measuring the amount of liquid in the filled balloon; (d) sizing a final breast prosthesis in accordance with the amount of liquid in the filled balloon; (e) removing the liquid from the balloon; (f) removing the empty balloon from the breast; and (g) implanting the final breast prosthesis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the balloon is made of a nontoxic, flexible plastic material impermeable to liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the balloon is made of a silicone elastomer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the balloon is filled by a syringe connected thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein a filler tube is connected between the syringe and the balloon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the syringe includes a barrel and a stem slidably mounted within the barrel and wherein the amount of liquid in the filled balloon is measured by observing the extent of travel of the stem within the barrel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the balloon is filled with a saline solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the final breast prosthesis is an elastomeric silicone bag containing a saline solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the final breast prosthesis is an elastomeric silicone bag containing a silicone gel.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of accurately sizing a breast prosthesis and implanting the same comprising the steps of (a) making an incision along the bottom portion of a breast; (b) inserting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon through the incision and into a cavity behind the breast; (c) inflating the balloon with a liquid to a desired size; (d) measuring the amount of liquid in the inflated balloon; (e) selecting a final breast prosthesis as determined by the amount of liquid in the inflated balloon; (f) deflating the balloon; (g) withdrawing the empty balloon from the cavity and through the incision; (h) inserting the final breast prosthesis through the incision and into the cavity; and (i) surgically closing the incision.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of accurately sizing a breast prosthesis and implanting the same comprising the steps of (a) making an incision along the bottom portion of a breast; (b) inserting an empty, inflatable elastomeric balloon through the incision and into a cavity behind the breast; (c) inflating the balloon with a liquid to a desired size; (d) measuring the amount of liquid in the inflated balloon; (e) selecting a final breast prosthesis as determined by the amount of liquid in the inflated balloon; (f) deflating the balloon; (g) withdrawing the empty balloon from the cavity and through the incision; (h) inserting the final breast prosthesis through the incision and into the cavity; and (i) surgically closing the incision.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the balloon is made of a nontoxic, flexible plastic material impermeable to liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the balloon is made of a silicone elastomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the balloon is filled by a syringe connected thereto.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 wherein a filler tube is connected between the syringe and the balloon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the syringe includes a barrel and a stem slidably mounted within the barrel and wherein the amount of liquid in the filled balloon is measured by observing the extent of travel of the stem within the barrel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the balloon is filled with a saline solution.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the final breast prosthesis is an elastomeric silicone bag containing a saline solution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the final breast prosthesis is an elastomeric silicone bag containing a silicone gel.
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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) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |