Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods

Abstract

An implant for filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure includes first and second portions. The first portion may include a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density and the second portion may include a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density. The first and second cross-linking densities may be selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant swells into a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted. An aqueous solution may be added to the cavity if the cavity is not sufficiently aqueous to cause the implant to swell.

1 . A method of filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure, the cavity having a predetermined size and shape, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an implant, the implant including at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density, the second portion comprising a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density, the first and second cross-linking densities being selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant swells into a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted;    implanting the implant within the cavity through an incision;    adding an aqueous solution to the cavity if the cavity is not sufficiently aqueous to cause the implant to swell, and    closing the incision with the implant implanted in the cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the providing step is carried out with the first portion comprising a plurality of first collagenous fibers, each of the plurality of first collagenous fibers having the first selected crosslinking density.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the providing step is carried out with the second portion comprising a plurality of second collagenous fibers, each of the plurality of second collagenous fibers having the second selected cross-linking density.  
     
     
         4 . An implant for filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure, the cavity having a predetermined size and a shape, the implant comprising: 
 a first portion including a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density, and    a second portion including a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density,    wherein the first and second cross-linking densities are selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant assumes a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted.    
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of first collagenous fibers, each of the plurality of first collagenous fibers having the first selected crosslinking density.  
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 4 , wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of second collagenous fibers, each of the plurality of second collagenous fibers having the second selected cross-linking density.