Tissue expansion device

Abstract

A tissue expansion device can be implanted temporarily beneath skin of a patient and removed upon expansion of overlying tissue. The device can include an expandable shell having a smooth or glossy outer surface and an injection port. The expandable shell can form an expandable chamber and have an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The injection port can be coupled to the anterior portion of the shell and be in fluid communication with the chamber and configured to permit injection of fluid into the chamber from a hypodermic needle. The device can have a plurality of tabs coupled to the posterior portion of the shell having one or more colors or attributes. The device can also include an orientation indicator visible along the anterior portion of the shell for assisting a clinician and orienting the device during the implantation procedure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue expansion device for temporary surgical implantation beneath skin of a patient and for removal upon expansion of overlying tissue, the device comprising:
 an expandable shell having an expandable chamber, an anterior portion, and a posterior portion;   a plurality of tabs coupled to the posterior portion of the expandable shell, wherein a first tab of the plurality of tabs comprises a first color different from a second color of a remainder of the plurality of tabs; and   an injection port configured to permit injection of fluid into the expandable chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first color is any of white or transparent, and the second color is non-white or transparent. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second color is blue. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab comprises an attribute different from the other of the plurality of tabs. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the attribute consists of at least one a size of the tab, a shape of the tab, or a material of the tab. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tab is positioned at a bottom portion of the expandable shell. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tabs extends in radially outward direction relative to a center position of the device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of tabs are positioned circumferentially about the posterior portion of the expandable shell, and each of the plurality of tabs are spaced apart from an adjacent tab of the plurality of tabs by approximately 60 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs comprises six tabs, and wherein the six tabs are positioned circumferentially about the posterior portion of the expandable shell at a 12 o'clock position, a 2 o'clock position, a 4 o'clock position, a 6 o'clock position, an 8 o'clock position, and a 10 o'clock position, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first tab is positioned at the 6 o'clock position. 
     
     
         11 . A tissue expansion device for temporary surgical implantation beneath skin of a patient and for removal upon expansion of overlying tissue, the device comprising:
 an expandable shell comprising contrasting surface textures along an interior surface thereof that collectively form an orientation indicator that is visible along an anterior portion of the expandable shell for facilitating alignment of the expandable shell relative to surrounding tissue during placement; and   an injection port configured to permit injection of fluid into the expandable shell from a hypodermic needle.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the surface textures comprise a smooth vertical strip flanked by textured areas. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein when the expandable shell is seen in front view, the orientation indicator extends across at least 50% of a vertical dimension of the expandable shell. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable shell comprises a layer of polymer material, and the orientation indicator is coextensive with the layer of polymer material. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable shell, when seen in front view, comprises a center position, a top portion, and a bottom portion, and wherein at least a portion of the injection port is positioned between the top portion and center position. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the orientation indicator comprises a vertical strip having a first end portion adjacent to an edge of the expandable shell and a second end portion distal to the edge of the expandable shell. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the second end portion of the orientation indicator intersects the injection port. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the first end portion of the orientation indicator is aligned with a first tab of a plurality of tabs coupled to the expandable shell. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the second end portion of the orientation indicator extends around an outer perimeter of the injection port.