Infra-orbital implant

Abstract

An infra-orbital implant is provided for surgically altering the appearance of an infra-orbital region of an associated human eye. The implant includes a body made from a biocompatible material adapted for use with human tissue. The body includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface. The anterior surface of the body includes a skin tone correction surface. The skin tone correction surface of the infra-orbital implant cooperates with the overlying skin to correct a skin tone of the infra-orbital region when the implant is introduced beneath the skin portion of the infra-orbital region of the associated human eye.

1 . An infra-orbital implant for surgically altering the appearance of an infra-orbital region of an associated human eye, the implant comprising:
 a body made from a biocompatible material adapted for use with human tissue, the body including an anterior surface and a posterior surface, the anterior surface of the body having a skin tone correction surface;   wherein, the skin tone correction surface of the infra-orbital implant cooperates with the overlying skin to correct a skin tone of the infra-orbital region when the implant is introduced beneath the skin portion of the infra-orbital region of the associated human eye.   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body is opaque. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally crescent shaped and includes a medial end and a lateral end. 
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a thickness for elevating a skin portion of the infra-orbital region of the associated human eye. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the body includes a plurality of pores. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the material of the body includes one of PTFE, expanded PTFE, Dacron, silicone, synthetic graft, porcine graft, or human graft. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being thinner than the lower portion. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anterior or posterior surfaces is substantially porous. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anterior or posterior surfaces includes a surface area that is between 20% to 70% porous. 
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first porous end and second porous end. 
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a first mesh end and second mesh end. 
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the anterior or posterior surface is substantially smooth. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of implanting an infra-orbital implant for improving cosmesis of an infra-orbital region of an associated human eye, the method comprising:
 providing an infra-orbital implant including a body made from a biocompatible material adapted for use with human tissue, the body including an anterior surface and a posterior surface;   creating an incision below a hairline of a lower eyelid of the associated human eye;   inserting the infra-orbital implant via the incision beneath the skin in the infra-orbital region of the associated human eye;   orienting the infra-orbital implant; and   closing the incision.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further including attaching the infra-orbital implant to a surrounding tissue via one or more sutures. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further including trimming the infra-orbital implant to accommodate the affected infra-orbital region of the associated human eye. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further including providing a skin tone correction surface on the anterior surface of the infra-orbital implant. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , further including providing a posterior ridge on the posterior surface of the infra-orbital implant.