SILK MEDICAL DEVICE FOR USE IN BREAST AUGMENTATION AND BREAST RECONSTRUCTION
A three-dimensional fabric structure in a form of a pocket for use in a breast reconstruction surgical procedure such as single-stage or two-stage breast reconstruction. The silk scaffold employs a knit pattern that substantially prevents unraveling and preserves the stability of the mesh or scaffold device, especially when the mesh or scaffold device is cut. An example scaffold device employs a knitted mesh including at least two yarns laid in a knit direction and engaging each other to define a plurality of nodes.
1 . A three-dimensional fabric structure for use in breast surgery, the structure comprising;
a silk mesh in a form of a pocket; and
the mesh comprising a first face defining an outside of the pocket and a second face defining an inside of the pocket, the inside of the pocket shaped to accommodate a prosthetic breast implant or tissue expander seated there;
wherein the first face has a lower stretchability than the second face.
2 . The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the faces are of a node-lock construction.
3 . The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the mesh is bioresorbable.
4 . The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the faces are knit with a double needle bed, single needle bed, or tubular knit.
5 . The structure according to claim 1 wherein the mesh is seamless.
6 . The structure according to claim 1 wherein the mesh is knitted.