Systems, methods and apparatuses for formation and insertion of tissue prostheses

Abstract

A tissue prosthesis insertion system includes a first assembly comprising a plurality of nested tubes, one of the tubes being a carrier tube which, in use, receives a component of a tissue prosthesis at a distal end of the carrier tube. A magnetic mount is carried at a proximal end of the first assembly. A second assembly is removably attachable to the first assembly. An attachment device is carried at a distal end of the second assembly, the attachment device being responsive to the magnetic mount of the first assembly, the magnetic mount and the attachment device carrying complementary engaging formations to facilitate hermetic sealing between the magnetic mount and the attachment device.

1 . An apparatus for forming a tissue prosthesis in situ in a patient's body, the apparatus comprising:
 an inflatable component; and   a delivery mechanism for delivering a filler material into the inflatable component so that when the filler material is cured, a unified prosthesis is formed;   wherein the delivery mechanism comprises at least one hole in proximity of the area where the inflatable component is coupled to the delivery mechanism, the at least one hole being large enough for gas,to pass through but small enough so that the filler material can not pass through.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery mechanism is configured to be primed prior to forming the tissue prosthesis and the inflatable component is deflated during the priming so that after the delivery mechanism is primed, there is substantially no gas in the inflatable component, thereby eliminating the need for a gas removal system during delivery of the filler material. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method for forming a tissue prosthesis in situ in a patient's body, the method comprising:
 accessing the site in the body of a patient;   removing tissue from the site to form a cavity, if necessary;   priming a delivery mechanism with filler material to remove gas from within the delivery system;   inserting an inflatable component into the cavity; and   delivering, via a delivery mechanism, a filler material into the inflatable component so that when the filler material is cured, a unified prosthesis is formed.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the inflatable component is deflated during the priming so that after the delivery mechanism is primed, there is substantially no gas in the inflatable component, thereby eliminating the need for a gas removal system during delivery of the filler material. 
     
     
         6 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for completing the implantation of a tissue prosthesis in situ in a patient's body, the method consisting of:
 accessing the site in the body of a patient;   optionally, removing tissue from the site to form a cavity;   optionally, priming a delivery mechanism with filler material to remove gas from within the delivery system;   optionally, sizing the cavity;   inserting an inflatable component into the cavity;   delivering a filler material into the inflatable component so that when the filler material is cured, a unified prosthesis is formed; and   completing the procedure by removing the delivery mechanism from the site in the patients body and optionally, applying a bandage to the site.   
     
     
         17 . A tissue prosthesis comprising:
 an inflatable component; and   a filler material received in a fluent state in the inflatable component, the filler material being of an elastomeric material with a shore hardness of less than about 30 A.   
     
     
         18 . The prosthesis of  claim 17 , wherein the shore hardness is about 25 A.