GB1352282A - Flexible sheet prosthesis - Google Patents

Abstract

1352282 Prosthetic sheet CUTTER LABORATORIES Inc 19 June 1972 [9 July 1971] 28641/72 Heading A5R [Also in Division B5] A sterile flexible sheet prosthesis 10, having an open pore, tissue-ingrowth-receptive surface 11 and a reinforced backing of smoothsurfaced elastomer 12 is used in surgery for preserving sliding motion between adjacent tissue structures. When placed between two adjacent sliding muscles, tendons or bones (Figs. 2, 3 and 4, not shown) which have been injured it prevents fibrous scarring attachment due to regrowth of tissue. The open pore surface may be polyethylene terephhalate mesh or velour, or polymerized tetrafluoroethylene. The backing may be of silicone rubber reinforced with fibrous or mesh material. Both .the open pore surface and the backing may be of polyurethane. A method of preparing the prosthesis comprises placing a thin sheet of unvulcanized elastomer in surface contact with the back surface of a thin sheet of fabric having an open pore surface, subjecting the sheets to a pressure of from 20-100 p.s.i. at ambient temperature to form a composite sheet and then heating the composite sheet to vulcanize and cure the elastomer. The sheet prosthesis may be cut and shaped to fit the situation in which it is to be placed. When placed in position between two or more surfaces which have a sliding relationship the sheet is sutured to the surface which abuts the open pore surface round the periphery of the sheet, to hold the prosthesis in position while the tissue of the surface is allowed to grow into the open pore surface of the prosthesis.