Implantable prosthesis for positioning and supporting a breast implant

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis for use in positioning a breast implant comprising a sheet of a prosthetic material configured to form a sling-shaped receiving area for receiving and supporting the breast implant. The surface area of the implantable prosthesis contacting the breast implant comprises a biocompatible or chemically inert material to prevent abrasion of or reaction with the breast implant. The implantable prosthesis of the present invention can be used during corrective procedures to reposition and support a malpositioned breast implant or during reconstructive or cosmetic procedures at the time the implant is first positioned within the patient. The prosthesis is used with implants in the partial sub-muscular, completely sub-muscular, and sub-glandular position and is used to prevent medial, lateral and inferior displacement of the implant.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of maintaining the position of a breast implant within a patient using an implantable prosthesis, comprising;
 providing a sheet of prosthetic material having a surface region configured to form a receiving area for receiving and supporting the breast implant;   providing at least a first tissue affixation region adapted to facilitate fixation of the implantable prosthesis to the patient; and   positioning the implantable prosthesis in a supporting position relative to the breast implant.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of positioning the implantable prosthesis in a supporting position relative to the breast implant comprises positioning the implantable prosthesis in a substantially horizontal orientation to inhibit inferior displacement of the breast implant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stop of positioning the implantable prosthesis in a supporting position relative to the breast implant comprises positioning the implantable prosthesis in a substantially vertical orientation to inhibit lateral displacement of the breast implant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of positioning the implantable prosthesis in a supporting position relative to the breast implant comprises positioning the implantable prosthesis in a substantially vertical orientation to inhibit medial displacement of the breast implant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the breast implant is placed in a partial sub-muscular, completely sub-muscular, or sub-glandular position. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 cutting an incision in the patient, the incision adapted to provide a point of insertion for the breast implant; and 
 rolling the implantable prosthesis up and insetting the prosthetic through the incision. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the incision is a peri-areolar incision or an infra-mammary incision. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising suturing the implantable prosthesis at the first tissue affixation region to an area of soil tissue surrounding the breast implant or a boney structure within the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising tacking the implantable prosthesis at the first tissue affixation to an area of soft tissue surrounding the breast implant or a boney structure within the patient. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 providing the implantable prosthesis with a back wall configured to be placed adjacent to the chest wall of the patient; and 
 affixing the back wall to the patient adjacent the chest cavity wall at the first tissue affixation region. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of providing the implantable prosthesis with a front wall comprising a tissue affixation region; and
 affixing the front wall at the tissue affixation region to soft tissue surrounding the breast implant. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 providing the implantable prosthesis with a front wall comprising a tissue affixation region; and 
 providing the implantable prosthesis with a back wall configured to be placed adjacent to the chest wall of the patient; 
 wherein the front and back walls of the implantable prosthesis are dissimilar in height. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the front wall is taller than the back wall. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising suturing the first end of the sheet to the tissue surrounding the breast implant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising tacking the first end of the sheet to the tissue surrounding the breast implant. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the sheet of prosthetic material with a longitudinal length that enables the implantable prosthesis to be affixed to the soft tissue surrounding the breast implant on opposing sides of the implant. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the sheet of prosthetic material with an outer surface composed off biocompatible material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the biocompatible material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, silicon, or a chemically inert material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of prosthetic material comprises a porous mesh configured to facilitate in growth of tissue surrounding the breast implant. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the prosthetic material comprises a biological mesh. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein the biological mesh is of human donor origin. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein the biological mesh is of porcine origin. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising forming the sheet of prosthetic material to form a sling to support the breast implant. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing an adjustment region disposed within the receiving area, the adjustment region configured to alter the longitudinal length of the implantable prosthesis. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a sheet comprising a first portion and a second portion, and constructing the first and second portions with distinguishing indicia. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the distinguishing indicia comprise a first and second color. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing demarcations on the sheet configured to orientate the implantable prosthesis during placement. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a biocompatible landing overlying the prosthetic material, the landing adopted to communicate, with and support the breast implant. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the landing is a pad composed of polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone or a chemically inert material.