US4912141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fibrous and cartilaginous tissue replacement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-07-28
•
Granted: 1990-03-27
•
Expires: 2007-07-28
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is new type of implantable material for replacement of cartilaginous or fibrous tissue. The material has controlled porosity and is biocompatible. A method for making this material is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph H. Kronman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:31
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/26; A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61L27/50; A61L27/56; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S521/00; Y10S521/905; Y10S521/915; Y10S521/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of producing a biocompatible hydrophilic microporous implant having pores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the body of said implant for replacement of fibrous tissue comprising the steps of: A. dispersing crystals of a water-dissolvable material in an unpolymerized hydrophilic polymerizable monomer, substantially all of said crystals being of a single size between about 225-450 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said hydrophilic polymerizable monomer with said crystals dispersed therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material with said crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. contacting said hydrophilic polymeric material with a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution to dissolve said crystals, thereby forming a polymerized microporous material having micropores of about 225 to about 450 μ in diameter at the locations where said crystals had previously been; and D. forming said implant of said polymerized microporous material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of producing a biocompatible hydrophilic microporous implant having pores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the body of said implant for replacement of fibrous tissue comprising the steps of: A. dispersing crystals of a water-dissolvable material in an unpolymerized hydrophilic polymerizable monomer, substantially all of said crystals being of a single size between about 225-450 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said hydrophilic polymerizable monomer with said crystals dispersed therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material with said crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. contacting said hydrophilic polymeric material with a sufficient amount of an aqueous solution to dissolve said crystals, thereby forming a polymerized microporous material having micropores of about 225 to about 450 μ in diameter at the locations where said crystals had previously been; and D. forming said implant of said polymerized microporous material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said crystals comprise water-dissolvable salt crystals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 where said water-dissolvable salt crystals are selected from the group consisting of crystalline sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said monomer is selected from a group consisting of monomers of hydrophilic acrylates and hydrophilic methacrylates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said hydrophilic acrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl methacrylates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said hydroxyalkyl methacrylates comprise hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material consists essentially of a homopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an initiator is used to initiate the polymerization of said monomer into said hydrophilic polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein heat polymerization is used to initiate the polymerization of said monomer to said hydrophilic polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material is polymerized by UV radiation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said single size pores are selected from a range of about 250 to about 275 μ in diameter, whereby said polymerized microporous material is suitable for use as a replacement for cartilaginous tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said single size pores are selected from a range of about 300 μ to about 450 μ in diameter, whereby said polymerized microporous material is suitable for replacement of fibrous connective tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An implant for replacement of fibrous connective tissue made by the method of claim 12.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An implant product for the replacement of cartilaginous tissue made by the method of claim 11.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of producing a human nasal implant formed of a biocompatible hydrophilic synthetic cartilaginous material having micropores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the entire body of said implant comprising the steps of: A. dispersing water-dissolvable salt crystals in an unpolymerized monomer of a hydrophilic polymerizable material, said salt crystals being of a single controlled size selected from a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said monomer with said salt crystals dispersed randomly therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material having salt crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. removing said salt crystals from said hydrophilic polymeric material by contacting said material with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution dissolving said salt crystals, thereby leaving micropores of a single size in a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter randomly distributed through said hydrophilic polymeric material; and D. shaping said resulting material for use as an implant for nose cartilage.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of producing a human nasal implant formed of a biocompatible hydrophilic synthetic cartilaginous material having micropores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the entire body of said implant comprising the steps of: A. dispersing water-dissolvable salt crystals in an unpolymerized monomer of a hydrophilic polymerizable material, said salt crystals being of a single controlled size selected from a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said monomer with said salt crystals dispersed randomly therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material having salt crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. removing said salt crystals from said hydrophilic polymeric material by contacting said material with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution dissolving said salt crystals, thereby leaving micropores of a single size in a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter randomly distributed through said hydrophilic polymeric material; and D. shaping said resulting material for use as an implant for nose cartilage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein monomer is selected from a group consisting of monomers of hydrophilic acrylates and hydrophilic methacrylates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said hydrophilic acrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl acrylates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said hydrophilic methacrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl methacrylates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said hydroxyalkyl methacrylates comprise hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material consists essentially of a homopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said salt crystals are selected from a group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material comprises polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and said salt crystals comprise sodium chloride.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said implant is used for nasal augmentation, nasal enhancing, or nasal reshaping.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of producing a human ear implant formed of a biocompatible hydrophilic synthetic noncalcified cartilaginous material having micropores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the entire body of said implant comprising the steps of: A. dispersing water-dissolvable salt crystals in an unpolymerized monomer of a hydrophilic polymerizable material, said salt crystals being of a single controlled size selected from a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said monomer with said salt crystals dispersed randomly therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material having salt crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. removing said salt crystals from said hydrophilic polymeric material by contacting said material with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution dissolving said salt crystals, thereby leaving micropores of a single size in a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter randomly distributed through said hydrophilic polymeric material; and D. shaping said resulting material for use as an implant for ear cartilage.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of producing a human ear implant formed of a biocompatible hydrophilic synthetic noncalcified cartilaginous material having micropores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the entire body of said implant comprising the steps of: A. dispersing water-dissolvable salt crystals in an unpolymerized monomer of a hydrophilic polymerizable material, said salt crystals being of a single controlled size selected from a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said monomer with said salt crystals dispersed randomly therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material having salt crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. removing said salt crystals from said hydrophilic polymeric material by contacting said material with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution dissolving said salt crystals, thereby leaving micropores of a single size in a range of about 225 to about 275 μ in diameter randomly distributed through said hydrophilic polymeric material; and D. shaping said resulting material for use as an implant for ear cartilage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 wherein monomer is selected from a group consisting of monomers of hydrophilic acrylates and hydrophilic methacrylates.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said hydrophilic acrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl acrylates.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said hydrophilic methacrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl methacrylates.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said hydroxyalkyl methacrylates comprise hydroxyethyl methacrylates.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material consists essentially of a homopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said salt crystals are selected from a group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material comprises polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and said salt crystals comprise sodium chloride.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said implant is used for ear augmentation, ear enhancing, or ear reshaping.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of producing a human breast implant formed of a biocompatible hydrophilic synthetic fibrous material having micropores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the entire body of said implant comprising the steps of: A. dispersing water-dissolvable salt crystals in an unpolymerized monomer of a hydrophilic polymerizable material, said salt crystals being of a single controlled size selected from a range of about 300 to about 450 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said monomer with said salt crystals dispersed randomly therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material having salt crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. removing said salt crystals from said hydrophilic polymeric material by contacting said material with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution dissolving said salt crystals, thereby leaving micropores of a single size in a range of about 300 to about 450 μ in diameter randomly distributed through said hydrophilic polymeric material; and D. shaping said resulting material for use as an implant for breast tissue.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of producing a human breast implant formed of a biocompatible hydrophilic synthetic fibrous material having micropores of a single controlled size randomly distributed throughout the entire body of said implant comprising the steps of: A. dispersing water-dissolvable salt crystals in an unpolymerized monomer of a hydrophilic polymerizable material, said salt crystals being of a single controlled size selected from a range of about 300 to about 450 μ in diameter; B. polymerizing said monomer with said salt crystals dispersed randomly therein to form a hydrophilic polymeric material having salt crystals dispersed randomly throughout the body of said material; C. removing said salt crystals from said hydrophilic polymeric material by contacting said material with an aqueous solution, said aqueous solution dissolving said salt crystals, thereby leaving micropores of a single size in a range of about 300 to about 450 μ in diameter randomly distributed through said hydrophilic polymeric material; and D. shaping said resulting material for use as an implant for breast tissue.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 33 wherein monomer is selected from a group consisting of monomers of hydrophilic acrylates and hydrophilic methacrylates.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said hydrophilic acrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl acrylates.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said hydrophilic methacrylates comprise hydroxyalkyl methacrylates.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said hydroxyalkyl methacrylates comprise hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material consists essentially of a homopolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said salt crystals are selected from a group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said hydrophilic polymeric material comprises polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and said salt crystals comprise sodium chloride.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said implant is used for breast augmentation, breast enhancing, or breast reshaping.
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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) | 1993-03-26 | 1993-09-25 | 1994-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-26 | 1997-09-25 | 1998-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-26 | 2001-09-25 | 2002-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |