Application

An in-office surgical nasolabial folds solution providing a permanent but reversible correction for lines associated with facial aging.

Key Benefits

• Permanent correction preventing complications arising from multiple procedures.
• Gentle placement process allows for quick recovery and very small, hidden insertion site
• Can incorporate a variety of materials, such as approved hydrogels or other biologically compatable polymers.

Market Summary

Nasolabial folds, or parentheses, are the deep folds that form on the side of your nose and run to the corner of your mouth. Nasolabial folds develop as people age and are one of the first visible signs of facial aging. Numerous products and procedures have been developed to correct these folds as demand has grown from both adult men and women. However, the current treatment options for nasolabial folds have their drawbacks, such as the short time period of efficacy for injectable cosmeceuticals, the inability to adjust or remove permanent filler solutions, capsular contracture or other complications associated with surgical correction.

Technical Summary

Researchers at Emory University have developed implants and devices to smooth and flatten the nasolabial folds. The shaped, permanent nasolabial fold implant can be inserted through a simple in-office procedure. The implant is made from a hydrogel or other biocompatible material, can be dehydrated prior to insertion to reduce the necessary incision size, and is easily removed. The implants can be specifically designed for a patient’s features and produced to maintain facial symmetry upon completion of the procedure. Surgical tools for the precise incision, dilation of skin, controlled-release insertion, and implant removal are being developed to compliment the implant. These should allow for very small, hidden insertion sites and reduce the patient recovery time. This technology is applicable to a number of anatomical sites where soft tissue augmentation is beneficial.

Developmental Stage

• Implant prototypes have been designed.
• Complimentary surgical tools for implantation and removal are being prototyped and tested for in-office procedural “kit”.