Described is an inflatable implant suitable for placement in the human
body and left there for an indeterminate and potentially lengthy period
of time. The implant is one that has a low profile when introduced into
the body and a larger profile when it is inflated with one or more filler
materials. Depending upon design and use choices the delivered implant
may be removable and adjustable in situ in size, position, location,
form, and rigidity. Indeed, in some variations, the design of the implant
may be such that it may be removed at a potentially fairly lengthy time
after implantation. The implant includes at least one bladder wall that
generally is at least partially non-elastic (or unexpandable) after the
preselected size is reached. The bladder wall will define at least one
fillable volume and may form more than one independent fillable volumes.
The bladder wall, in some variations, may be partially elastic or
expandable to permit adjustment of implant size or configuration after or
during delivery. The implant may be used as a supporting structure in a
variety of differing body tissues and structures, e.g., in the spine or
as a prosthetic in plastic surgery. The implant may also be used in
conjunction with other components (often having a springed bias) as a
source of movement in controlling the opening of a lumen or duct, that is
to say, as a type of on-off valve or as a controlled flow valve. The
implant may be used as an occludant within, or adjacent to, a variety of
natural or abnormal anatomical body openings, e.g., vascular and genital
lumina, aneurysms, ducts, septal defects, fistulae, esophagus, etc. The
wall and filler material may be selected to deliver treatment materials
the locale of the implant site or to remove amounts of harmful materials
from such a region. The implant may, with an appropriate filler material
or bladder wall material, be used in cooperation with an appropriate
radio frequency (RF) source to cause the increase of a localized internal
temperature and a resulting tissue change such as coagulation, ablation,
or the like. Methods of using the implant are also described.