Mastopexy stabilization apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for mastopexy surgeries correcting a ptosis condition caused by tissue stretching, in the breast as a result of pregnancy, time, aging, and the effects of gravity and athletic activity provide an implant having homogeneously formed connectors extending from inside an implant wall for anchoring to the chest wall or chest muscles of a patient. Embedded reinforcements and anchoring tabs or sutures may be readily oriented along a rib or other defining physiological location in order to provide immediate, permanent, and symmetric installation of implants in a mastopexy reconstruction.

1 . An apparatus for mastopexy with augmentation, the apparatus comprising: 
 a vessel of predetermined form and size, the vessel including at least one wall for contact with tissue of a user;    a filler to maintain a volume of the vessel; and    a plurality of tabs homogeneously formed with, and continuously extending from, the at least one wall of the vessel.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wall comprises a polymer  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is an elastomer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomer is a silicone compound.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the silicone compound is dimethylsiloxane.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the filler comprises a material selected from the group consisting of water, saline, silicone, silicone gel, sugar, and hydrogel.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the back wall comprises at least one embedded reinforcing fiber.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one embedded reinforcing fiber is arranged in a mesh pattern.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs comprises an aperture extending therethrough.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one suture formed of non-elastomeric material embedded within the at least one wall and terminating at a first end extending outwardly from the at least one wall.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a first tab of the plurality of tabs extends substantially radially from the at least one wall at about the ten o'clock position.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a second tab of the plurality of tabs extends substantially radially from the at least one wall at about the two o'clock position.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one wall comprises a back wall providing a surface for contact with tissue posterior to the vessel.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one surgical needle connected to draw the first end of at least one suture.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one protective covering surrounding the at least one surgical needle to resist inadvertent puncture of the vessel.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back wall comprises a plurality of embedded reinforcing fibers arranged in a mesh pattern.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs comprises an aperture extending therethrough.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one suture formed of non-elastomeric material embedded within the at least one wall and terminating at a first end extending outwardly from the at least one wall.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first tab of the plurality of tabs extends from the at least one wall at about the ten o'clock position and a second tab of the plurality of tabs extends from the at least one wall at about the two o'clock position.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one wall comprises a back wall providing a surface for contact with tissue posterior to the vessel.