Abstract:
A breast implant comprising an outer shell that may be filled with saline or a double shell comprising two chambers, wherein the outer shell may be filled with silicone gel and the inner shell may be filled with saline. Alternatively, the single lumen saline chamber may contain several bubble shells disposed within the lumen to baffle the saline, giving the implant a more gel-like feel. The implant may be selectively filled with saline via a self-sealing valve located on the superior edge of the exterior surface of the outer shell. The valve is palpable but small enough so as not to bother the patient. The valve includes an injection port that provides access to the saline lumen so that the size of the shell is adjustable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/346,980, entitled “Adjustable Breast Implant with Integral Injection Port,” which was filed on Jun. 7, 2016 in the name of the inventor herein, Hilton Becker, and which is incorporated herein in full by reference. The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/355,724, entitled “Integral Injection Port,” which was filed on Jun. 28, 2016 in the name of the inventor herein, and which is also incorporated herein in full by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to breast implants, and more specifically, to an adjustable breast implant with an integral injection port. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Breast reconstruction following mastectomy is most commonly performed by placing a tissue expander below the muscle and expanding the overlying remaining tissues. The typical expander is a single lumen saline-filled device which is subsequently replaced with a silicone gel implant. As the expander is placed beneath the muscle it is necessary to have a large injection port in order to locate it beneath the thick tissue. However, the bulkiness of the injection port makes it undesirable for permanent placement. Therefore, it is subsequently replaced with a gel implant. 
         [0004]    Now that surgeons are performing skin sparing mastectomies, it is possible to place the expander above the muscle. Therefore, a smaller injection port may be utilized. With a smaller injection port, it is possible to keep the expander in position long term without the injection port being bothersome to the patient. 
         [0005]    Double lumen expanders having silicone gel in the outer chamber and saline in the inner chamber have previously been used. For example, Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 7,081,136 (“&#39;136 Patent”) discloses an adjustable gel-filled mammary prosthesis. That patent discloses that saline is added to the inner chamber via a remote injection port that is removed once filling is completed. The implant seals at a valve once the filling port is removed. Thus, a saline-gel implant becomes the definitive implant without the need to replace the expander with a gel implant. The implant disclosed in the &#39;136 Patent, however, includes the need to place the injection port in a remote pocket. The injection port then needs to be removed at a second procedure. The injection port can become obstructed by kinking of the filling tube. The remote port may also at times become a source of irritation to the patient. It can also erode through the skin and become infected. Therefore, an integral injection port placed in the upper pole of the expander/implant is advantageous. 
         [0006]    An improved design is described which overcomes the problems related to a remote port implant. For example, Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,908 (“&#39;908 Patent”) discloses an implant having an injection port that is integrally attached to the implant without the need to place it remotely, thus eliminating the associated complications. 
         [0007]    Currently available integral tissue expanders are not suitable for pre-pectoral placement and are not designed to remain in place as the definitive implant. The present invention, however, facilitates placement of the implant above the muscle. 
         [0008]    The device disclosed herein consists of either a single lumen or double lumen implant containing an integral injection port in the upper pole. The single lumen saline implant may contain multiple bubble shells within the inner chamber in order to buffer the saline. The shells may be spherical, concave, or flat and stacked upon each other in order to create a sponge like structure that baffles the saline resulting in a more gel-like feel to the implant. The single lumen implant may be filled with saline while the double lumen implant may contain silicone gel in the outer lumen and saline in the inner lumen. The shells may be attached to each other by means of an injection port. It is thus possible to inject saline into the inner lumen by injecting into the injection port. 
         [0009]    The device may be placed beneath the skin flaps at the completion of the mastectomy. The implant may be placed under-filled, or even empty, if the circulation to the overlying skin flaps appears compromised. Once the circulation has improved, saline is added to the implant via the self-sealing injection port. In order to facilitate palpability of the injection port, the injection port may be placed at the apex of the device which is preferable when the implant is placed above the muscle. 
         [0010]    A tab may be attached to the upper pole of the implant below the injection port. A suture may be placed through the tab and brought out through the skin. When saline is injected into the injection port, tension may be placed on the tab, thus securing the port and facilitating location of the port. At the end of the filling procedure, the external suture may be removed. Another option is to detachably adhere the injection port to the implant. It may then removed from the implant which seals by means of a valve as described in the &#39;136 Patent. A small incision is made over the injection port for removal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable breast implant is disclosed. The adjustable breast implant comprises: an outer shell; at least one inner lumen within the outer shell, wherein the at least one inner lumen is configured to receive a fluid to adjust a volume of the adjustable breast implant; and an injection port disposed on the outer shell and positioned proximate an upper pole of the adjustable breast implant. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable breast implant is disclosed. The adjustable breast implant comprises: an outer shell; at least one inner lumen within the outer shell, wherein the at least one inner lumen is configured to receive a fluid to adjust a volume of the adjustable breast implant; an injection port disposed on the outer shell and positioned proximate an upper pole of the adjustable breast implant, wherein the injection port comprises: a fill reservoir defined by the outer shell; and a fluid tube connected to the fill reservoir; wherein the fill reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one inner lumen via the fluid tube; a suture tab disposed proximate to the injection port at the upper pole of the adjustable breast implant, wherein the suture tab is absorbable. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable breast implant is disclosed. The adjustable breast implant comprises: an outer shell; at least one inner lumen within the outer shell, wherein the at least one inner lumen is configured to receive a fluid to adjust a volume of the adjustable breast implant; an injection port disposed on the outer shell and positioned proximate an upper pole of the adjustable breast implant, wherein the injection port comprises: a fill reservoir defined by the outer shell; and a fluid tube connected to the fill reservoir; an absorbable outer shell barrier; wherein the fill reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one inner lumen via the fluid tube; an absorbable suture tab disposed proximate to the injection port at the upper pole of the adjustable breast implant; a plug positioned within the outer shell; a hollow flow tube having one end coupled to the plug and having another end coupled to the injection port, wherein the fluid flows from the injection port through the hollow tube into the adjustable breast implant; and an aperture disposed on the flow tube to provide a flow path of the fluid into the adjustable breast implant; wherein the injection port is removable from the plug via the flow tube whereby exerting a tensile force onto the injection port separates the injection port from the plug, and the plug seats against the outer shell in response to removal of the injection port due to the tensile force. 
         [0014]    Disclosed is an adjustable breast implant comprising: an outer shell; an inner lumen bounded by the outer shell to receive a fluid to adjust a volume of the adjustable breast implant; an injection port disposed on the outer shell and arranged at the upper pole of the adjustable breast implant; and a suture tab disposed proximate to the injection port at the upper pole of the adjustable breast implant. 
         [0015]    Further disclosed is an adjustable breast implant comprising: an outer shell; an inner lumen bounded by the outer shell to receive a fluid to adjust a volume of the adjustable breast implant; a plurality of bubble shells disposed in the inner lumen, the bubble shells being spaced apart from the outer shell and disposed in the inner lumen a nested arrangement with respect to one another such that the bubble shells are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of second inner lumens, each second inner lumen being interposed between neighboring bubble shells, each of the bubble shells comprising a three-dimensional sinusoidal wall, and the bubble shells being size-adjustable, based on an amount of fluid disposed therein; an injection port disposed on the outer shell and arranged at an upper pole of the adjustable breast implant, the injection port to receive the fluid and to communicate the fluid to the inner lumen; and a suture tab disposed proximate to the injection port at the upper pole of the adjustable breast implant, wherein the injection port provides fluid access to inflate and adjust a size of the inner lumen and second inner lumens. 
         [0016]    Further disclosed is an adjustable breast implant comprising: an outer shell containing an inner shell. The first inner lumen is filled with silicone gel 25 to 80% of the total volume of the outer shell. The inner shell is attached to the outer shell at the entry point of the filling port. The volume of the inner shell is between 25 and 75% of the volume of the outer shell. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present application is further detailed with respect to the following drawings. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present application, but rather, illustrate certain attributes thereof. 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front cross-sectional view of an adjustable breast implant that includes an outer shell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-section of the adjustable breast implant of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front cross-sectional view of an adjustable breast implant that includes an inner shell disposed in an outer shell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of the adjustable breast implant of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a front cross-sectional view of an adjustable breast implant that includes an anatomical shape and a plurality of nested bubble shells disposed in an outer shell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a side cross-sectional view of the adjustable breast implant of in  FIG. 5  shown with the implant under-filled; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a side cross-sectional view of the adjustable breast implant of in  FIG. 5  shown with the implant filled with saline; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of an adjustable breast implant that includes an anatomical shape and a plurality of bubble sheets disposed in an outer shell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a side cross-sectional view of the adjustable breast implant of  FIG. 8  shown with saline disposed in an outer shell; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a side cross-sectional view of a removable integral filling port disposed in an outer shell of an adjustable breast implant; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of the integral filling port of  FIG. 10  shown with an injection port detached from the implant and wherein the implant is sealed with a plug; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a prior art expander; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an adjustable breast implant with a resorbable barrier and a micro-injection port in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the adjustable breast implant of  FIG. 13  shown with the outer shell barrier resorbed; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15A  is a side view of a prior art expander with a fixed injection port; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15B  is a side view of a prior art expander with an unattached injection port; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an adjustable breast implant with a fixed retractable injection port in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17A  is a side view of an adjustable breast implant with a fixed retractable injection port and with absorbable suture tabs placed at the edges of the adjustable breast implant in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 17B  is a side view of the adjustable breast implant of  FIG. 17A  shown with the injection port retracted to a desired length. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 1-17B  together, disclose an adjustable breast implant  100  having a superior surface  114 , an upper pole  116 , and a lower pole  118 , wherein the adjustable breast implant  100  has an integral injection port  106  disposed on the outer shell  102  proximate the upper pole  116 . The integral injection port  106  comprises a fill reservoir  120  that is defined by the outer shell  102  and a fluid tube  122  that is connected to the fill reservoir  120  and leads to and is in fluid communication with the inner lumen  104 . The injection port  106  may also have a puncture resistant back or shell barrier  140  that prevents a needle from damaging the adjustable breast implant  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the adjustable breast implant  100  can include one inner lumen  104 , which is defined by an outer shell  102 . The inner lumen  104  may be filled with saline  112  or another suitable fluid in order to adjust the volume of the adjustable breast implant  100 . The inner lumen  104  may also be filled with any suitable gas such as air, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the adjustable breast implant  100  can include a first inner lumen  104  that is defined by an outer shell  102  and can also include a second inner lumen  126  that is defined by an inner shell  124 . In the double lumen adjustable breast implant  100  shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the first inner lumen  104  may contain silicone gel and the second inner lumen  126  may contain saline  112 . The inner shell  124  prevents the two fluids from mixing by blocking fluid communication between the first inner lumen  104  and the second inner lumen  126 . The outer shell  102  and the inner shell  124  may be attached to each other by the injection port  106 . Therefore, saline  112  may be injected into the second inner lumen  126  by injecting the saline  112  with a syringe  110  into the injection port  106 . The first inner lumen  104  may be filled with silicone gel 25 to 80% of the total volume of the outer shell  102 . The volume of the inner shell  124  may be between 25 and 75% of the volume of the outer shell  102 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , the adjustable breast implant  100  may include a plurality of bubble shells  128  within a first inner lumen  104 . The bubble shells  128  may be spaced apart from the outer shell  102  and positioned within the first inner lumen  104  in a nested arrangement with respect to one another such that the bubble shells  128  are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of second inner lumens  126 , each second inner lumen  126  being interposed between neighboring bubble shells  128 . Each bubble shell  128  comprises a three-dimensional sinusoidal shaped wall and each bubble shell  128  is size-adjustable so that it expands when the adjustable breast implant  100  is filled with fluid. The injection port  106  provides fluid access to inflate and adjust a size of the first inner lumen  104  and the second inner lumens  126 . The bubble shells  128  help to baffle motion of the saline  112  within the first inner lumen  104  of the adjustable breast implant  100  such that movement of the fluid within the outer shell  102  and among the bubble shells  128  is slowed as compared to an absence of the bubble shells  128  or an absence of the sinusoidal wall. The bubble shells  128  can be spherical, concave, flat, and the like and can be stacked upon each other in order to create a sponge-like structure that baffles the saline  112  to provide the adjustable breast implant  100  with a gel-like feel. The bubble shells  128  may also have openings  130  to allow the saline  112  to move freely in and out of them. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the adjustable breast implant  100  may include a plurality of bubble sheets  132 . The bubble sheets  132  may be corrugated or have sinusoidal surfaces substantially similar to the bubble shells  128 . These bubble sheets  132  also may be stacked upon each other so that they baffle the saline  112  to provide the adjustable breast implant  100  with a gel-like feel. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 10-11 , saline  112  may be added to the inner lumen  104  via the integral injection port  106 , which is permanently affixed to the outer shell  102 . In some embodiments, the injection port  106  protrudes from the outer shell  102  and may be removed, and a plug  134  may be used to seal the adjustable breast implant  100 . The plug  134  may be positioned within the outer shell  102 . A flow tube  136  may be interposed between and in physical contact with the plug  134  and the injection port  106 . The flow tube  136  may be a hollow tube to allow fluid, such as saline  112 , to flow from the injection port  106  into the adjustable breast implant  100 . An aperture may also be disposed on the flow tube  136  to provide a flow path of the fluid into the adjustable breast implant  100 . 
         [0042]    The injection port  106  may be removable from the plug  134  via the flow tube  136  such that exerting a tensile force onto the injection port  106  from the plug  134  separates the injection port  106  from the plug  134  and the plug  134  seats against the inner surface of the outer shell  102  in response to removal of the injection port  106  due to the tensile force. The adjustable breast implant  100  therefore seals at the plug  134  in response to removal of the injection port  106 . Thus, the adjustable breast implant  100  is a definitive implant that is permanent in an absence of replacement of the adjustable breast implant  100  with another implant (e.g., a gel implant). The adjustable breast implant  100  may also have a sealing patch  138  that may be disposed on the outer shell  102  to seal the adjustable breast implant  100  and prevent leakage of the fluid (e.g. saline  112 ) from the adjustable breast implant  100 . The sealing patch  138  may sealingly engage the injection port  106  prior to removal of the injection port  106  and sealingly engage the plug  134  in response to removal of the injection port  106 . 
         [0043]    As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-9 , the injection port  106  may be flush with the adjustable breast implant  106  and may be removed at a self-sealing valve disposed in an upper pole  116  of the adjustable breast implant  100 . In order to facilitate palpability of the injection port  106 , the injection port  106  may be placed at the apex of the upper pole  116  of the adjustable breast implant  100 , which is preferable when the adjustable breast implant  100  is placed above the pectoral muscle. The integral injection port  106  placed in the upper pole  116  of the adjustable breast implant  100  is advantageous because the adjustable breast implant  100  can be placed beneath the skin flaps, above the pectoral muscle, at the completion of the mastectomy. The adjustable breast implant  100  may be positioned when it is under-filled, or even empty, if the circulation to the overlying skin flaps is compromised. Once the circulation has improved, saline  112  can be added to the adjustable breast implant  100  via the self-sealing injection port  106 . 
         [0044]    A suture tab  108  may be disposed at the upper pole  116  of the adjustable breast implant  100  proximate to the injection port  106 . A suture may be placed through the suture tab  108  and brought out through the skin. When saline  112  is injected into the injection port  106 , tension may be placed in the suture tab  108  to secure the injection port  106  and facilitate location of the injection port  106 . At the end of the filling procedure, the external suture can be removed. 
         [0045]    In a certain embodiment, the injection port  106  may be detachably adhered to the adjustable breast implant  100 . The injection port  106  may be removed from the adjustable breast implant  100 , and the adjustable breast implant  100  sealed by a valve such as the plug  134 . An incision in the patient can be made over the injection port  106  to remove the injection port  106  from the adjustable breast implant  100 . An advantage is that the adjustable breast implant  100  has the injection port  106  that is initially integrally attached to the adjustable breast implant  100  which is then subsequently removed, as opposed to the injection port  106  being remotely attached to the adjustable breast implant  100 . This helps to facilitate placement of the adjustable breast implant  100  above the pectoral muscle. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 12 , a prior art expander is shown. The standard expander has an outer shell  12   a,  a protective barrier  12   b,  and a very large injection port  12   c.  The standard integral injection port expander, which is designed to be placed beneath the pectoral muscle, has a large bulky and palpable injection port  12   c  as well as a large protective barrier  12   b,  which is palpable to the patient and therefore not suitable for long term implantation.  FIGS. 13-14  show the adjustable breast implant  100  of the present invention. The adjustable breast implant  100  with integral injection port  106  is shown having an outer shell  102 , an absorbable outer shell barrier  140 , and a very small injection port  106  (i.e. a microinjection port). In  FIG. 14 , the absorbable outer shell barrier  140  is shown as having been absorbed. An important object of this invention is to have the smallest possible integral injection port  106  that will not be palpable by the patient. As the injection port  106  is small, a protective shell barrier  140  is necessary to prevent accidental needle puncture when filling the adjustable breast implant  100 . The invention disclosed herein proposes a small injection port  106  protected by an absorbable protective barrier  140 . The barriers  140  can be constructed of a resorbable alloplastic material such as poly lactic acid, polyglactin  910 , polydioxanone (PDS®), glycolide/lactide copolymer (POLYSORB®), or other similar absorbable polymer. It is only necessary to access the injection port  106  for a few weeks after surgery so the absorbable barrier  140  resorbs at about  3 - 6  months after surgery. By that time, the barrier  140  is no longer palpable and the remaining implant  100  is soft and natural feeling. 
         [0047]    In  FIGS. 15A-15B , prior art expanders are shown. In  FIG. 15A , the injection port  15   a  may be fixed to the filling tube  15   e  which is attached to the expander. This results in the distance between the injection port  15   a  and the expander being fixed, which is not optimal in all cases. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 15B , a free-standing injection port  15   c  may be separate from the expander. The fill tube  15   e  can be cut to the appropriate length and then the free-standing injection port  15   c  may be attached to the fill tube  15   e  with a connector  15   d.  Sutures  15   f  may then be used to secure the connector  15   d.  This necessitates an extra step in surgery and the attachment has inherent problems of becoming loose and being bulky making removal more difficult. 
         [0048]    It should be clearly understood that the adjustable breast implant  100  may be used either as a temporary expander, which may later be removed and replaced with a silicone gel implant, or the adjustable breast implant  100  may be used permanently as described above.  FIG. 16-17B  show the adjustable breast implant  100  of the present invention. The adjustable breast implant  100  may have a retractable injection port  106  that is fixed to the fluid tube  122 . The fluid tube  122  passes through the outer shell  102  and enters the inner lumen  104  through a valve that allows the length of the fluid tube  122  to be adjusted. A sealing cuff  142  allows the fluid tube  122  to elongate. A plug  134  may also be used to allow sealing should the injection port  106  need to be removed. If the injection port  106  is flush against the outer shell  102  it can function like an integral port expander. If it is necessary to place the injection port  106  at a remote site, the length of the fluid tube  122  may be extended (see  FIG. 17B ). If it is necessary to remove the injection port  106 , e.g. prior to radiation or for MRI investigation, the injection port  106  can be removed by pulling on the fluid tube  122  until the plug  134  seals the adjustable breast implant  100 . The adjustable breast implant  100  can now remain in position until it is replaced with a silicone implant at a second stage if the patient so desires. A suture tab  144  may also be placed proximate the injection port  106 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 17A-17B  illustrates another advantage of the present invention, which is to place suture tabs  144  at the edges of the outer shell  102  for fixation. Although suture tabs are described in other expanders, what is advocated here is that the use of absorbable suture tabs  144 . The absorbable suture tabs  144  may be constructed of polyglactin  910  (VICRYL®), polydioxanone (PDS®), poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (PHASIX®), or other similar absorbable meshes. The advantages of using an absorbable mesh for the suture tabs  144  include: no long-term thickened areas where the suture tab  144  is adherent; easier removal of the adjustable breast implant  100 ; no need to dissect the adherent suture tab  144  free; and less bleeding. The absorbable suture tabs  144  can also be used to secure the injection port  106  in position in place integral to the adjustable breast implant  100 . A doughnut-shaped absorbable suture tab  144  can also be placed around the injection port  106  to facilitate palpability. 
       Statement of Use 
       [0050]    The most common technique of performing breast reconstruction following mastectomy is by placing a saline-filled tissue expander beneath the pectoral muscle, expanding the tissues by injecting saline into the expander and then changing the expander at a second procedure to a gel implant. There are several disadvantages inherent in the technique that the adjustable breast implant  100  overcomes. It has been found that an adjustable breast implant  100  provides the advantages of a breast implant combined with a tissue expander. The adjustable breast implant  100  provides advantages over conventional silicone implants or conventional saline implants because the adjustable breast implant  100  provides a silicone-like feel and is adjustable and can be permanently implanted with inclusion of an injection port  106  that is palpable in situ. Thus, the adjustable breast implant  100  may be adjusted years later after implantation. 
         [0051]    The adjustable breast implant  100  that is either completely devoid of fluid or under-filled may be initially disposed in a patient to prevent any excess tension on a skin flap of an incision in which the adjustable breast implant  100  is disposed. Thereafter, the adjustable breast implant  100  may be filled with saline  112 . When fully filled, the adjustable breast implant  100  does not ripple so the adjustable breast implant  100  may be permanently implanted and not replaced with another type of implant (e.g. gel implant). 
         [0052]    When the adjustable breast implant  100  is fully filled, the inner bubble shells  128  expand, thereby baffling motion of saline  112  inside the outer shell  102  of the adjustable breast implant  100 . As a result of baffling the motion of the saline  112  inside the outer shell  102 , the adjustable breast implant  100  feels like a gel-filled implant even though gel can be absent in the adjustable breast implant  100 . Accordingly, the adjustable breast implant  100  with this gel-like feel can remain in the patient without substituting the adjustable breast implant  100  with a silicone gel implant. 
         [0053]    For a skin-sparing mastectomy, the adjustable breast implant  100  can be implanted above the pectoral muscle in the patient. Therefore, a small injection port  106  can be used to keep the adjustable breast implant  100  in position long term without the injection port  106  being bothersome to the patient. 
         [0054]    The adjustable breast implant  100  may be used as a temporary expander, which may later be removed and replaced with a silicone gel implant, or the adjustable breast implant  100  may be used permanently as described above. If absorbable suture tabs  144  are used, the adjustable breast implant  100  may be removed after the absorbable suture tabs  144  have dissolved, if the patient so desires. 
         [0055]    The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the application, but is not meant to be limitation upon the practice thereof. While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.