Tissue expansion devices
A tissue expansion device, the device comprising: (a) an expandable compartment adapted for implanting in a body of a subject; and (b) a gas source adapted for implanting in a body of a subject and operably connected to said expandable compartment for inflation thereof by transfer of a gas thereto.
1 . A tissue expansion device, the device comprising:
(a) an expandable compartment adapted for implanting in a body of a subject; and
(b) a gas source adapted for implanting in a body of a subject and operably connected to said expandable compartment for inflation thereof by transfer of a gas thereto.
2 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said expandable compartment is at least partially constructed from an elastic material.
3 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said expandable compartment is at least partially constructed from an inelastic material.
4 . A device according to claim 3 , wherein said expandable compartment is at constructed completely from an inelastic material
5 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said gas source is contained within said expandable compartment.
6 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said expandable compartment is filled from said gas source via an open loop expansion mechanism.
7 . A device according to claim 6 , wherein said open loop expansion lasts between 7 and 180 days.
8 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said gas source contains a pressurized gas.
9 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said gas source contains reagents for a chemical reaction which produces a gas.
10 . A device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising:
(c) a regulator to regulate a flow of said gas from said gas source into said expandable compartment.
11 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator includes a flow restriction pathway.
12 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator includes a flow restriction membrane to restrict a flow of gas from said gas source to said expandable compartment.
13 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator includes an actuator, said actuator designed and constructed to alternately permit and deny a flow of gas through said regulator.
14 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator includes a valve to restrict a flow of gas from said gas source to said expandable compartment.
15 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator includes at least one data processing circuit.
16 . A device according to claim 15 , wherein said data processing circuit is an analog data processing module.
17 . A device according to claim 15 , wherein said data processing circuit is a digital circuit.
18 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator is subject to mechanical feedback.
19 . A device according to claim 10 , wherein said regulator is responsive to an input signal so that said regulator implements a feedback loop.
20 . A device according to claim 19 , wherein said input signal includes an operational command originating from an external controller.
21 . A device according to claim 20 , wherein said regulator response persists only as long as said operational command.
22 . A device according to claim 20 , wherein said regulator response persists after said operational command ceases.
23 . A device according to claim 20 , wherein said external controller issues a compliance reminder, said compliance reminder indicating that said operational command should be delivered.
24 . A device according to claim 19 , wherein said input signal includes an output signal from at least one sensor.
25 . A device according to claim 24 , wherein said sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter of the subject.
26 . A device according to claim 25 , wherein said at least one parameter of the subject includes a measure of a degree of tissue perfusion.
27 . A device according to claim 24 , wherein said sensor is configured to measure at least one parameter of the expandable compartment.
28 . A device according to claim 25 , wherein said at least one parameter of the expandable compartment includes a measure of a gas pressure within said compartment.
29 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said gas source comprises a plurality of gas sources.
30 . A device according to claim 29 , wherein each source in said plurality of gas sources is configured for selectable discharge according to an open loop.
31 . A device according to claim 13 , additionally comprising:
(d) a power source configured to provide a power output to facilitate said transfer.
32 . A device according to claim 31 , wherein said power source includes a battery.
33 . A device according to claim 31 , wherein said power source resides outside the device and transmits power in a wireless manner to the device.
34 . A device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising:
(c) a power source configured to provide a power output for at least one of data collection, transmission and storage.
35 . A device according to claim 34 , wherein said power source resides outside the device and transmits power in a wireless manner to the device.
36 . A device according to claim 35 , wherein said power source is configured to supply power for transfer of data from the device to a location outside the device.
37 . A device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising:
(c) an outer shell surrounding said expandable compartment.
38 . A device according to claim 37 , wherein said expandable compartment comprises an inelastic deformable container.
39 . A device according to claim 37 , wherein said outer shell comprises an elastic balloon.
40 . A device according to claim 37 , wherein said outer shell comprises an inelastic deformable container.
41 . A device according to claim 40 , wherein said inelastic deformable container is configured to expand to conform to a natural contour of a body part.
42 . A device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising:
(c) a release valve configured to release gas from said expandable compartment.
43 . A device according to claim 42 , wherein said release of gas includes a release into a body tissue.
44 . A device according to claim 42 , wherein said release of gas includes a transcutaneous release outside of a body of the subject.
45 . A device according to claim 42 , wherein said release mechanism operates at a set point between 150 and 300 mm of mercury.
46 . A device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising:
(c) a studded surface comprising a plurality of studs to inhibit relative translational motion between said studded surface and an adjacent tissue layer, wherein said studded surface is an anterior surface of a breast expander and said adjacent tissue layer includes at least a portion of a pectoralis muscle and wherein said studs protrude from said surface between 0.5 and 5 mm and number between 2 and 500 studs.
47 . A device according to claim 1 , designed and configured as a breast expansion device.
48 . A device according to claim 1 , designed and configured to discharge gas from said gas source into said expandable compartment during a period of at least 7 days.
49 . A device according to claim 1 , designed and configured to provide an expansion pressure of 10 to 200 mm of mercury to an adjacent tissue.
50 . A device according to claim 1 , additionally comprising an antimicrobial coating on at least one of an inside and an outside of said compartment.
51 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said expandable compartment comprises at least two expandable compartments.
52 . A device according to claim 1 with a pre-implantation shelf life of at least 30 days.
53 . A tissue expansion device, the device comprising:
(a) an expandable compartment adapted for implanting in a body of a subject;
(b) a gas source coupled to said compartment; and
(c) at least one regulator adapted to be located within said body and selectively control gas flow from said source to said compartment.
54 . A device according to claim 53 , wherein said source is adapted to be external to said body and connected by a tube to said compartment.