System and method for breast augmentation

Abstract

A system for cosmetic augmentation includes a plurality of microballoons. An injector can be provided for injecting microballoons into a subcutaneous pocket at a cosmetic site through an incision. A method for performing cosmetic augmentation surgery and microballoons for use in the method are also disclosed.

1 . A system for breast augmentation, comprising an injector and at least 3 microballoons, said microballoons being at least about 3 mm in diameter, said microballoons being elastically deformable. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said injector has an elongated delivery portion comprising a delivery chamber, said delivery chamber comprising an outlet, at least one microballoon positioned in said injector, said injector having structure for driving said microballoon through said outlet of said delivery chamber into said subcutaneous pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microballoons comprise a flexible, substantially spherical shell defining an open interior, said open interior being filled with a filling material. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible shell comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible shell comprises silicone. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said filling material is a saline solution. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said filling material is a gas. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said filling material comprises a silicone gel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microballoon has a largest dimension between about 3 mm and about 30 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microballoon has a largest dimension between about 5 mm and about 20 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microballoons are between about 10 mm and 15 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said injector with said microballoons are encased in a sterile container prior to use. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said microballoon comprises an outer shell filled with a filling material, the filling material comprising between about 10%-75% of the volumetric capacity of the outer shell. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising between about 3-3000 microballoons. 
     
     
         15 . A method for performing cosmetic augmentation surgery, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least 3 microballoons, said microballoons being at least 3 mm in largest dimension;   creating a subcutaneous pocket at a cosmetic site; and   placing said microballoons into said subcutaneous pocket.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising between 3-3000 microballoons. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A cosmetic implant for a subcutaneous pocket in a human body, said implant comprising at least 3 microballoons in said subcutaneous pocket, at least a portion of said microballoons being in direct contact with tissue forming said subcutaneous pocket, said microballoons being at least about 3 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         21 . The cosmetic implant of  claim 20 , wherein said implant comprises between about 3-3000 microballoons. 
     
     
         22 . The cosmetic implant of  claim 20 , wherein said microballoons are between about 10-15 mm in largest dimension. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)