Flush patch for elastomeric implant shell

Abstract

An elastomeric prosthetic breast implant is provided having a shell and a patch forming a flush interface with the shell and no sudden surface steps on both interior and exterior surfaces of the shell.

1 . A hollow medical implant, comprising:
 an elastomeric hollow shell having a contiguous and consistent wall except in an access region; and   a patch extending across the access region of the shell and securely bonded thereto, wherein a peripheral edge of the patch and the shell cooperate to form a flush interface with no surface steps on both interior and exterior surfaces of the implant;   wherein the patch is a substantially flat disk shape and the shell wall covers and entire inner face of the patch and wherein the patch increases in radial thickness for its periphery toward its center such that the shell wall covering the inner face of the patch is thickest adjacent the patch periphery; and   the patch including a self-sealing channel therein for the insertion of a vent or fill tube.   
     
     
         2 . The hollow medical implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant is an intragastric balloon. 
     
     
         3 . The hollow medical implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant is a breast implant. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow medical implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant is a tissue expander.