Implantable transponders comprising no ferromagnetic parts for use in medical implants are disclosed herein. Such transponders may assist in preventing interference of transponders with medical imaging technologies. Such transponders may optionally be of a small size, and may assist in collecting and transmitting data and information regarding implanted medical devices. Methods of using such transponders, readers for detecting such transponders, and methods for using such readers are also described.

A tissue expander includes a shell having an anterior wall with superior and inferior zones, and one or more drainage openings formed in the inferior zone. A fill port assembly is located within the superior zone, and a drain port assembly is located within the inferior zone and is in fluid communication with the one or more drainage openings. The fill port assembly is isolated from the drain port assembly that is located within the inferior zone. The drain port assembly includes a drain cover having an elongated body, a central hub, one or more fluid reservoirs between the first and second ends of the elongated body, and an outer face that surrounds the fluid reservoirs. The outer face of the drain cover is secured to an inner surface of the anterior wall and surrounds the one or more drainage openings formed in the inferior zone of the shell.

A prosthetic implant, such as a tissue expander, includes a silicone shell having an anterior wall and a posterior wall, and a needle stop patch secured over an inner surface of the posterior wall of the silicone shell. The needle stop patch has two or more layers of a textile material that are stacked atop one another. The textile material is flexible and includes woven threads or fiber. A bonding material bonds together the two or more layers of the textile material that are stacked atop one another. The outer edges of the respective layers are feathered for minimizing step effects between adjacent ones of the layers. A self-sealing membrane covers the anterior wall of the silicone shell. The dernier level of the textile layers increases between top and bottom layers for progressively increasing resistance tom a needle passing through the needle stop patch.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of adjustable implants, particularly permanent breast implants, intended for implantation into a subject, particularly a human subject. In some embodiments, the adjustable implant comprises a shell including a resilient shell membrane, a first reservoir containing a fluid, e.g., a saline, a second reservoir including a resilient second-reservoir membrane, and a pump. The pump may include a first pump actuator, a first pump inlet, and a first pump outlet. The first reservoir and second reservoir may be disposed within the shell and be in fluid communication via the pump. Fluid may be transferred between the two reservoirs to change the profile of the implant.

An apparatus for treating obesity comprises a volume filling device formed by at least two segments and is provided and following implantation, the device is placed resting against the stomach wall of the patient to reduce the inner volume of the stomach, thereby affecting the patients appetite.

Systems, instruments, and methods for minimally invasive procedures including one or more of fractional resection, fractional lipectomy, fractional skin grafting, and/or fractional scar revision are described. Embodiments include instrumentation comprising a scalpet assembly coupled to a carrier, and the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array. The scalpet array includes one or more scalpets configured for fractional resection, fractional lipectomy, fractional skin grafting, and/or fractional scar revision. The system includes a vacuum component coupled to the scalpet assembly and configured to evacuate tissue from the a site. The carrier is configured to control application of a rotational force and/or a vacuum force to the scalpet assembly.

Systems, instruments, and methods for minimally invasive procedures including one or more of fractional resection, fractional lipectomy, fractional skin grafting, fractional scar revision, and/or fractional tattoo removal are described. Embodiments include instrumentation comprising a scalpet assembly coupled to a carrier, and the scalpet assembly includes a scalpet array. The scalpet array includes one or more scalpets configured for fractional resection, fractional lipectomy, fractional skin grafting, fractional scar revision, and/or fractional tattoo removal. The system includes a vacuum component coupled to the scalpet assembly and configured to evacuate tissue from the a site. The carrier is configured to control application of a rotational force and/or a vacuum force to the scalpet assembly.

A passive stent for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ may include an inner layer, an outer layer, and a middle layer that is enclosed by the inner layer and the outer layer, comprising a plurality of components configured to interlock and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. A method for retaining an organ in an expanded state may include applying at least one force to the organ to place the organ in the expanded state; applying a passive stent to an external surface of the organ; and applying a vacuum to the passive stent sufficient to cause a plurality of components of at least one layer of the passive stent to interlock, where the at least one layer is configured to maintain the organ in the expanded state after interlocking.

A drain-compatible soft tissue expander can incorporate a drainage structure that allows fluid to be removed from the body of a living subject. The soft tissue expander can include an expandable shell and a drainage structure that can, for example, assist in mitigating or eliminating seromas. The drainage structure can be coupled to the shell at a plurality of locations and be removable therefrom without damaging the expandable shell.

Disclosed are a tissue expander for breast reconstruction comprising an MMP sensor and thus being capable of real-time capsular contracture monitoring and treatment, and a patient information system linked thereto. According to these, a patient or medical staff can easily check and evaluate capsular contracture, which may occur when wearing a tissue expander for breast reconstruction, and whether inflammation, a side effect, or the like is caused thereby, even outside the human body in real time. Accordingly, before or when capsular contracture occurs, effective treatment and response are possible.