Implants assembled from skeletal polyhedron unit cells, coiled unit cells or mesh unit cells
Inventors
Limem, Skander • Rizk, Said • Williams, Simon F.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11903815-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Absorbable implants can be used to create volume and shape in soft tissues with regenerated tissue. The implants comprise lattices formed from multiple unit cells. Unit cells can be coils or springs, skeletal polyhedrons, foams, or structures derived from mesh and fiber. The implants may be coated or filled with cells and tissues, and preferably with autologous fat graft. The implants are particularly suitable for use in plastic surgery procedures, for example, to regenerate or augment breast tissue following mastectomy or in mastopexy procedures, and can provide an alternative to the use of permanent breast implants in these procedures.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an absorbable breast implant comprising a porous lattice with a plurality of segments defining a plurality of gaps between adjacent segments. Each segment comprises connected unit cells, and the unit cells are skeletal polyhedrons whose edges and vertices are defined by polymeric struts and/or fibers, and the skeletal polyhedron unit cells are compressible.
The porous lattice is compressible and is configured to recover its shape after being compressed, with porosity intended to enable tissue ingrowth. The lattice includes gaps between adjacent segments and pores of at least a specified diameter, and it supports engineered mechanical properties such as elastic modulus and strength retention.
The polymeric struts and/or fibers can be formed from degradable polymers including P4HB and PBS, with optional cross-linking. The implant can include additional structural and functional elements, including optional coatings and delivery/coating of cells, tissues, and/or bioactive agents, and an optional vascular-pedicle passage.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define a breast implant with a porous, compressible skeletal-polyhedron lattice made from polymeric struts and/or fibers, including gap-defined connectivity. Across the families, the claims further define quantitative pore and mechanical-property constraints and, in dependents, additional material and manufacturing configuration features, plus an implantation method.
Porous compressible skeletal polyhedron lattice for breast implants
A breast implant comprising a porous lattice with a plurality of segments defining a plurality of gaps between adjacent segments, where each segment comprises connected unit cells that are skeletal polyhedrons whose edges and vertices are defined by polymeric struts and/or fibers, and where the skeletal polyhedron unit cells are compressible.
Edge plurality connectivity in a compressible skeletal polyhedron lattice
A breast implant comprising a porous lattice with a plurality of segments defining a plurality of gaps between adjacent segments, where each segment comprises connected unit cells that are skeletal polyhedrons whose edges and vertices are defined by polymeric struts and/or fibers, where the skeletal polyhedron unit cells are compressible, and where the edges comprise at least a plurality of edges, a second plurality of edges directly connected to the first plurality of edges, and a third plurality of edges directly connected to the first plurality of edges and to the second plurality of edges.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a porous breast implant lattice constructed from compressible skeletal polyhedron unit cells with polymeric struts and/or fibers forming edges and vertices, with gap-defined connectivity. One independent claim adds a specified multi-plurality edge connectivity structure, while the claim families in dependents further constrain pore diameter and elastic modulus for recoverability after compression and refine lattice/material configuration.
Stated Advantages
Enables tissue ingrowth through porosity.
Provides compressibility with shape recovery after being compressed.
Provides engineered mechanical properties, including elastic modulus and strength retention.
Documented Applications
Breast implant use, including placement pre-pectoral, sub-glandular, or sub-pectoral.
Delivery/coating of cells/tissues (preferably autologous fat) and bioactive agents using the breast implant.
Use with an optional vascular-pedicle passage.
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