Implantable prosthetic device and tethered inflation valve for volume

Patent Number: 5146933, issued on 1992/09/15    
Applied on 1991/09/20
Inventor(s): Lawrence M Boyd
Assignee: Dow Corning Wright Corporation

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an implantable prosthetic device inflatable by a self-contained resealable valve in combination with an external locator for determining the position of the valve. The prosthesis includes a flexible outer envelope defining a closed lumen and having a valve attached to an area of the envelope with indicia on the valve responsive to the external locator for determining the position of the valve. A plurality of spaced sensors are each fixedly arrayed on the locator so that when the sensors are in a certain non-juxtaposed relationship with the indicia the sensors orientate with one another, signifying a true location of the valve. A multi-compartmental design having a tethered valve for selective inflation of an inner lumen is also disclosed. The tissue-contacting surface of the outer envelope is micro-textured to minimize tissue capsule contracture.