Self-sealing shell for inflatable prostheses

摘要

A self-sealing shell useful as a component of a soft fluid-filled prosthetic implant is provided. The shell is at least partly constructed of a wall made of a colloid of an elastomeric polymer matrix and particles of a water-swellable material distributed therein.

主权项

1. A method of making an implantable and inflatable prosthesis, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a curable polymer-based liquid; distributing a plurality of solid, water-swellable particles in the liquid to form a fluid mixture comprising the liquid polymer and the solid, water-swellable particles; solidifying the mixture to form a matrix of the polymer having the solid, water-swellable particles occupying enclosed spaces in the matrix; and forming the mixture into a wall of an inflatable prosthesis comprising the matrix and enclosed particles, wherein, when the wall is contacted with an aqueous fluid, the water-swellable particles expand and the wall becomes self-sealing to a needle puncture.