US5007929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open-cell, silicone-elastomer medical implant
Assignee: APPALOOSA MANAGEMENT LP
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Filing: 1990-07-27
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2010-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A medical implant with an external surface layer of silicone elastomer and having an open-cell structure is made by applying solid particles to the external surface layer of the implant before it is cured, curing the external surface layer with the solid particles embedded therein and then dissolving the solid particles with a solvent that does not dissolve the silicone elastomer. An implant having such an external surface layer is expected to help prevent capsular contraction, to help prevent scar formation, and to help in anchoring the implant within the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Quaid
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:20
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J9/00; C08J9/26; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0077; A61F2/02; A61F2/12; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; A61L27/50; A61L27/56; B; B29; B29C; B29C41/00; B29C41/02; B29C41/14; B29C59/00; B29C59/02; B29C2059/028; C08J2201/00; C08J2201/04; C08J2201/044; C08J2201/0444; C08J2201/0446; C08J2383/00; C08J2383/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A medical implantable device of substantially homogeneous composition comprised of silicone elastomer, said implantable device having an external surface integral therewith, at least a portion of said surface having an open-cell structure, said medical implantable device made by the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying a layer of silicone elastomer to said medical implantable device; and (b) applying solid particles to the surface before the layer is fully cured; and (c) fully curing the layer; and (d) dissolving the solid particles with a solvent that does not dissolve the silicone elastomer to any appreciable extent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A medical implantable device of substantially homogeneous composition comprised of silicone elastomer, said implantable device having an external surface integral therewith, at least a portion of said surface having an open-cell structure, said medical implantable device made by the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying a layer of silicone elastomer to said medical implantable device; and (b) applying solid particles to the surface before the layer is fully cured; and (c) fully curing the layer; and (d) dissolving the solid particles with a solvent that does not dissolve the silicone elastomer to any appreciable extent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A medical implantable device according to claim 1 wherein most of the external surface has an open-cell structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A medical implantable device according to claim 1 wherein cells in the open-cell structure have a diameter ranging from about 10 microns to about 600 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A medical implantable device according to claim 3 wherein interconnected cells extend down from the external surface to a depth ranging from about one half to about three times the diameters of the cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
An improved silicone elastomer shell for a mammary prosthesis, the improvement comprising: a shell of substantially unitary construction and substantially homogeneous composition having an external surface, at least a portion of said surface having an open-cell structure said open-cell structure of said improved silicone-elastomer shell made by the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying a layer of silicone elastomer to said medical implantable device; and (b) applying solid particles to the surface before the layer is fully cured; and (c) fully curing the layer; and (d) dissolving the solid particles with a solvent that does not dissolve the silicone elastomer to any appreciable extent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
An improved silicone elastomer shell for a mammary prosthesis, the improvement comprising: a shell of substantially unitary construction and substantially homogeneous composition having an external surface, at least a portion of said surface having an open-cell structure said open-cell structure of said improved silicone-elastomer shell made by the method comprising the steps of: (a) applying a layer of silicone elastomer to said medical implantable device; and (b) applying solid particles to the surface before the layer is fully cured; and (c) fully curing the layer; and (d) dissolving the solid particles with a solvent that does not dissolve the silicone elastomer to any appreciable extent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved silicone elastomer shell according to claim 5 wherein most of the external surface has an open-cell structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved silicone elastomer shell according to claim 5 wherein cells in the open-cell structure have a diameter ranging from about 10 microns to about 600 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An improved silicone elastomer shell according to claim 7 wherein interconnected cells extend down from the external surface to a depth ranging from about one to about three times the diameters of the cells.
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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) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |