Patent ID: 8753390
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for implanting a prosthesis in a human shoulder, the method comprising: providing an inflatable prosthesis; placing the prosthesis proximal to, or in lieu of, a naturally occurring bursa between humerus and scapula in the shoulder; inflating the prosthesis to a size or a shape of a naturally occurring bursa and to resemble characteristics of at least one of malleability and compressibility of the naturally occurring bursa; and sealing the prosthesis; wherein the sealed implanted prosthesis is configured to: (1) reduce rubbing of soft tissues against other tissues of at least one of a humerus, the acromion or the coracoid process of the shoulder while permitting at least some movement of the soft tissues relative to the humerus, the acromion or the coracoid process, and (2) permit relatively unhindered or free shoulder movement, and wherein the prosthesis is deployed such that there is no interposition of the soft tissues between the implanted prosthesis and the acromion or the coracoid process, and the implanted prosthesis remains below the acromion during movement of the humerus.