Breast prosthesis enclosure

Abstract

This patent application discloses an enclosure designed to comfortably hold a breast form prosthesis between the torso of a mastectomy patient and the cup of their bra or undergarment. The forward surface of the enclosure exhibits anti-skid material, preventing the enclosure from moving relative to the bra cup.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60 / 720,335 filed Sep. 26, 2005. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable. SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM [0003] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION-FIELD OF INVENTION [0004] This invention relates to breast form prostheses and post mastectomy garments, specifically to an enclosure to support a breast form prosthesis. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] A mastectomy is the most common treatment for breast cancer whereby all or a portion of a woman's breast is removed. Often, mastectomy patients choose to alter their appearance after the operation to appear more natural and feminine. This may be done either through reconstructive surgery or the use of a prosthetic. Even, if the individual chooses to have reconstructive surgery, doctors will often recommend that they wait several months or years for this operation. Prosthetics are the only alternative to these individuals prior ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent is about a bra that can hold a breast form prosthesis for mastectomy patients. The bra has a special pocket made of anti-skid material to keep it from moving. This makes the bra more comfortable and secure for patients."

Problems solved by technology

While these prostheses minimize problems associated with security and shifting, they are often uncomfortable.

Having a device in contact with the skin for long periods of time interferes with the skins natural ability to perspire and breathe.

These prostheses can also be difficult or uncomfortable to remove when desired; for instance, while sleeping.

Because both the shape of the prosthesis and the size of the garment are peculiar to the individual, production of these garments is limited, resulting in increased costs.

The cost is compounded by the fact that most women desire to maintain a collection of garments.

This increases the cost of manufacture and, because the patient typically maintains a collection of bras, significantly increases the cost to the patient.

Another problem with many of these garments is appearance.

The apparatus or extra material required by the prosthesis creates a visually unbalanced or unnatural appearance.

The problems with this invention are, again, the specialization or alteration of the bra or garment and the unsightly bulges created by the discontinuous placement of the hook and loop material.

This device relies on compression to maintain its position which significantly compromises the positional stability of units used by active patients.

Furthermore, the individual pillows, while decreasing costs, do not provide the superior shape and rigidity of a shaped silicone breast form.

Several prior art alternatives exhibit one or more of these characteristics, but none provide all of these advantages.

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