Fail-safe silicone breast implant delivery device
A tapered sleeve is provided for implant delivery. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicone breast implant) is introduced into a large proximal end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized distal end of the device. Sized appropriately to the implant, the sleeve remains intact during implant run-through of the sleeve.
1. An apparatus for use in a surgical procedure, comprising:
a pre-filled implant; and
a compactible and wholly evertible sleeve having a proximal opening and distal opening, the proximal opening being larger than the distal opening,
the sleeve including a feature adapted to tear before damage to the implant occurs when the implant is forced through the distal end for insertion into a surgical pocket, the feature being isolated such that the feature does not extend to the distal and proximal openings of the sleeve.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feature is provided by a gap in a seam between sections of the sleeve.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feature is provided by a slit in a material defining the sleeve.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feature is provided by perforations in a material defining the sleeve.