Implantable prosthetic or tissue expanding device

Abstract

A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area. One kit has a powdered, keratin hydrogel precursor disposed within the envelope interior, awaiting the addition of water, preferably after insertion of the implant into the body.

1 - 4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . An intervertebral disk implant comprising: 
 an envelope;    a keratin hydrogel precursor contained within said envelope, wherein said hydrogel precursor forms a hydrogel upon the addition of fluid.    
     
     
         6 . The intervertebral disk implant of  claim 5  wherein: 
 said envelope is comprised of one of silicone, and a biocompatible polymer.    
     
     
         7 . The intervertebral disk implant of  claim 5  wherein: 
 said envelope has a self-sealing port.    
     
     
         8 . A medical package for use as an intervertebral disk implant, wherein said package comprises a formulation of a dry keratin hydrogel precursor that forms a hydrogel upon hydration of said precursor in use.  
     
     
         9 . The intervertebral disk implant of  claim 8  wherein: 
 said package includes an envelope that is comprised of one of silicone, and a biocompatible polymer.    
     
     
         10 . The intervertebral disk implant of  claim 8  wherein: 
 said package includes an envelope that has a self-sealing port.    
     
     
         11 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A method for implanting a prosthetic intervertebral disk comprising the steps of: 
 selecting an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel precursor which forms a hydrogel upon the addition of a fluid;    accessing the space between adjacent vertebra;    implanting the envelope into the space; and    introducing fluid into the envelope.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said keratin hydrogel precursor is in fibrous form.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said keratin hydrogel precursor is in powder form.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said keratin hydrogel precursor is in a mixture of fibrous and power form.  
     
     
         19 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A method for making a prosthetic intervertebral disk kit for a patient comprising the steps of: 
 selecting an envelope having an interior capable of containing a gel;    having human hair harvested; and    processing the hair into a keratin hydrogel precursor which forms a hydrogel upon the addition of a fluid; and    inserting the keratin hydrogel precursor into the interior of the envelope.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said selecting step includes: 
 selecting an envelope provided in a low profile shape.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said selecting step includes; 
 selecting an envelope provided in a rolled up shape.    
     
     
         26 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said selecting step includes: 
 selecting an envelope provided in a low profile shape.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 23  wherein said selecting step includes; 
 selecting an envelope provided in a rolled up shape.    
     
     
         36 . The implant of  claim 5  wherein said envelope has a low profile shape.  
     
     
         37 . The implant of  claim 5  wherein said envelope has a rolled-up shape.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 24  including after the implanting step, the step of unrolling the envelope.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 25  including after the implanting step, the step of unrolling the envelope.  
     
     
         40 - 47 . (canceled)  
     
     
         48 . In an intervertebral disk implant, the improvement comprising: 
 an envelope;    a keratin hydrogel precursor, wherein said hydrogel precursor forms a hydrogel upon the absorption of fluid from the body.    
     
     
         49 . In a method for implating a prosthetic intervertebral disk, the improvement comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a keratin hydrogel;    accessing the space between adjacent vertebra; and    implanting the keratin hydrogel into the space.    
     
     
         50 . In a method for implanting a prosthetic intervertebral disk, the improvement comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a keratin hydrogel precursor which forms a hydrogel upon the addition of a fluid;    accessing the space between adjacent vertebra;    implanting the keratin hydrogel precursor into the space; and    introducing fluid into the keratin hydrogel precursor.    
     
     
         51 . (canceled)  
     
     
         52 . In an intervertebral disk implant, the improvement comprising: 
 a keratin hydrogel precursor, wherein said hydrogel precursor forms a hydrogel upon the addition of fluid.    
     
     
         53 . In a method for implanting a prosthetic intervertebral disk, the improvement comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a keratin hydrogel precursor which forms a hydrogel upon the addition of fluid;    accessing the space between adjacent vertebra; and    implanting the keratin hydrogel precursor into the space.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  including the step of allowing the keratin hydrogel precursor to absorb fluid from a patient.  
     
     
         55 . An intervertebral disk implant comprising: 
 a keratin hydrogel precursor, wherein said hydrogel precursor forms a hydrogel upon the addition of fluid.    
     
     
         56 . (canceled)  
     
     
         57 . A method for implanting a prosthetic intervertebral disk comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a keratin hydrogel precursor which forms a hydrogel upon the addition of fluid;    accessing the space between adjacent vertebra; and    implanting the keratin hydrogel precursor into the space.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57  including introducing fluid into the keratin hydrogel precursor.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57  including allowing fluid to be absorbed into the keratin hydrogel precursor.