Tissue augmentation material and method

Abstract

A permanent, biocompatible material for soft tissue augmentation. The biocompatible material comprises a matrix of smooth, round, finely divided, substantially spherical particles of a biocompatible ceramic material, close to or in contact with each other, which provide a scaffold or lattice for autogenous, three dimensional, randomly oriented, non-scar soft tissue growth at the augmentation site. The augmentation material can be homogeneously suspended in a biocompatible, resorbable lubricious gel carrier comprising a polysaccharide. This serves to improve the delivery of the augmentation material by injection to the tissue site where augmentation is desired. The augmentation material is especially suitable for urethral sphincter augmentation, for treatment of incontinence, for filling soft tissue voids, for creating soft tissue blebs, for the treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis, and for mammary implants. It can be injected intradermally, subcutaneously or can be implanted.

1 . A method of implanting a biocompatible material in a patient, comprising: 
 providing a cellulose polysaccharide gel having characteristic elastic properties when implanted;    manipulating the cellulose polysaccharide gel without loss of its elastic properties; and    implanting the cellulose polysaccharide gel into the patient with the gel recovering its elastic properties inherently within several seconds of implantation.