This invention relates generally to tissue expansion, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for supporting, sculpting and/or shaping tissue.
Tissue expanders, such as implants, bladders, envelopes and the like, are typically placed within the body to expand, reconstruct, or otherwise augment missing or misshapen body tissue. For example, a tissue expander may be used to augment, sculpt, and support soft tissue, such as breast, penile, gluteal, and facial tissue.
Soft tissue augmentation and reconstruction, for example breast augmentation and reconstruction, is known and has been performed by physicians for decades. The use of silicone gel-filled implants may provide improved appearance, but silicone gel-filled envelopes create safety concerns for manufacturers, physicians, and patients due to possible leaks of the silicone gel into the body. Saline-filled implants have been used in place of silicone gel-filled implants, but have a less natural shape and consistency.
Another aspect in the field of breast augmentation and reconstruction is the use of tissue expanders. Tissue expanders typically include a bladder or envelope that holds a liquid, such as saline or a hydro-gel. The tissue expander is implanted under tissue, such as under the muscle below a surgically removed breast. A small amount of liquid is added to the envelope periodically until the desired size is reached. By adding liquid slowly over a period of weeks or months, the covering tissue is allowed to expand to accommodate its size. However, in order to change the volume of the tissue expander a needle must be inserted into the envelope each time.
In one aspect, an implantable tissue expander is provided for supporting a body tissue. An implantable support member is externally positioned with respect to the body tissue to be shaped. The support member includes a first end and an opposing second end. The first end includes a first fastener configured to be inserted into the body tissue to secure the first end to a first portion of the body tissue. The second end includes a second fastener configured to be inserted into the body tissue to secure the second end to a second portion of the body tissue. The support member includes a biasing element configured to exert a tension force at each of the first end and the second end to shape the body tissue. The support member has shape memory properties and is adapted to move to a support configuration. In the support configuration, the support member shapes the body tissue.
In another aspect, an implantable tissue expander is provided for supporting a body tissue. The implantable tissue expander includes a support member adapted to be implanted and positioned externally with respect to the body tissue to be supported in a support configuration. A first end of the support member includes a first fastener configured to be inserted into a first portion of the body tissue to secure the first end to the first portion. An opposing second end of the support member includes a second fastener configured to be inserted into a second portion of the body tissue to secure the second end to the second portion. Each of the first end and the second end transitions into a body of the support member. The body includes a biasing element. In the support configuration, the biasing element exerts a force at each of the first end and the second end to support the body tissue.
In yet another aspect, a method is provided for supporting a body tissue. The method includes positioning at least one tissue expander externally with respect to the body tissue to be supported. The at least one tissue expander includes a biasing element. A first end of the at least one tissue expander is inserted into a first portion of the body tissue to secure the first end with respect to the first portion. A second end of the at least one tissue expander is inserted into a second portion of the body tissue to secure the second end with respect to the second portion. The at least one tissue expander is expanded to a support configuration. The biasing element exerts a force at the first end and the second end to support and shape the body tissue.
Referring to
In the exemplary embodiment, tissue expander 100 includes a support member 105 having a first end 106, an opposing second end 108, and a body 110 extending therebetween, as shown in
Tissue expander 100 is adapted to expand from an initial insertion configuration to a support configuration for supporting and/or shaping the body tissue. In the exemplary embodiment, tissue expander 100 has a circular cross-section and is radially expandable. In one embodiment, tissue expander 100 is radially expandable between a generally unexpanded or insertion diameter and an expanded or support diameter which is greater than the insertion diameter. As such, tissue expander 100 is flexible and can be coupled to a catheter in a radially compressed configuration, i.e. the insertion configuration, for introduction and positioning with respect to the body tissue. Upon positioning of tissue expander 100, tissue expander 100 is expandable to the support configuration. In one embodiment, tissue expander 100 is expandable using a spring-like action and/or memory properties of the material, for example. As such, tissue expander 100 is radially distensible and/or deformable. In one embodiment of this invention, tissue expander 100 includes support member 105 fabricated using a suitable material having shape memory properties that are effected by changes in temperature or that have super elastic properties. It will be understood that various other means for expanding or enabling the expansion of tissue expander 100 may be employed without departure from the scope of this invention.
In one embodiment, tissue expander 100 including support member 105 is fabricated from any suitable biocompatible material including, without limitation, suitable metal materials, such as stainless steel, platinum, gold, titanium, and alloys and/or composites thereof, as well as suitable polymeric materials. In the exemplary embodiment, tissue expander 100 is fabricated from Nitinol which has the ability to perform well while in a spring-like configuration, and/or in a shape memory configuration.
In an alternative embodiment, tissue expander 100 includes a plurality of magnets and/or magnetic components positioned with respect to tissue expander 100 to affect a final shape of tissue expander 100 in the support configuration. For example, a first magnet is positioned at first end 106 of support member 105 and a second magnet is positioned at opposing second end 108 to magnetically move first end 106 towards or away from second end 108 and, thus, support and/or shape the body tissue.
As shown in
During positioning of tissue expander 100 with respect to breast 102, sheath 152 retracts to proximally release tissue expander 100. In one embodiment, tissue expander 100 begins to expand as it exits sheath 152. In another embodiment, tissue expander 100 expands at a selected temperature. In yet another embodiment, a balloon is inflatable to expand tissue expander 100. After deployment of tissue expander 100, catheter 151, including sheath 152, is withdrawn from the body tissue location, leaving tissue expander 100 properly positioned with respect to the body tissue.
Exemplary embodiments of tissue expanders are described below. The embodiments described herein are illustrated with reference to the figures wherein similar numbers indicate the same elements in all figures. Such figures are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting and are included herewith to facilitate explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the tissue expander.
Tissue expander 300 is flexible and can be initially coupled to a catheter delivery system, such as catheter delivery system 150, in a compressed insertion configuration and expanded within the body tissue location to a support configuration. Each support member 302 of tissue expander 300 is expandable using a spring-like action and/or shape memory properties of the material, for example. In one embodiment, support members 302 include a suitable material having shape memory properties reactive or responsive to temperature changes. As such, support members 302 are distensible and/or deformable.
In one embodiment, tissue expander 400 is fabricated from Nitinol. Other suitable biocompatible materials, including metal materials, such as stainless steel, platinum, gold, titanium, alloys and/or composites, as well as polymeric materials can be used to fabricate tissue expander 400.
In one embodiment, tissue expander 500 is initially positioned in a collapsed position about or within a catheter 502, as shown in
In one embodiment, implantable tissue expander 600 is adaptable to be positioned with respect to a body tissue, for example a breast 102 as shown in
Tissue expander 600 is flexible and can be initially coupled to a catheter delivery system, such as catheter delivery system 150, in a compressed insertion configuration and expanded within the body tissue location to a support configuration. Tissue expander 600 is expandable using a spring-like action and/or shape memory properties of the material, for example. In one embodiment, tissue expander 600 includes a suitable material having shape memory properties reactive or responsive to temperature changes. As such, tissue expander 600 is distensible and/or deformable.
Tissue expander 600 includes a support member 602 adapted to be positioned with respect to breast 102 in a support configuration, as shown in
In one embodiment, first end 604 forms or includes a suitable fastener 612 such as at least one hook or needle, which is inserted into the body tissue to secure first end 604 to superior region 103 of breast 102. Similarly, a suitable fastener 612 connected to or formed by second end 606 is inserted into the body tissue to secure second end 606 to inferior region 104 of breast 102. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that fastener 612 may include any suitable fastener or connector that can be inserted into the body tissue and remain securely connected to the body tissue to maintain first end 604 and second end 606 properly positioned with respect to the body tissue.
First end 604 and second end 606 transition into a body 608 of support member 602. In one embodiment, body 608 includes a biasing element 610, such as a spring, a coil and/or at least one magnet, which provides a force suitable to support, sculpt, and/or shape the body tissue, as desired. In the support configuration, biasing element 610 exerts a tension force at first end 604 and/or second end 606 to support breast 102. In one embodiment, biasing element 610 is generally positioned at a mid-section of support member 602 to provide a generally equal amount of force to first end 604 and second end 606. In another embodiment, biasing element 610 is positioned on support member 602 at a suitable location to provide a desired or selected force to first end 604 and/or second end 606.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/256,906, filed Oct. 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,914,578 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Child | 12978867 | US |