Breast protection body support system

Abstract

A system including a torso support for a user in a prone position protects the user's breasts from compressive forces. The torso support has a length corresponding to an approximate distance from the upper abdomen to shoulders of a user. Cavities are provided to receive breasts. A portion of the pillow adjacent the abdomen is cut away to provide a recess for a user's rib cage. An upper surface of the torso support may be canted at an angle to approximate an angle at which a user's upper body tilts with respect to a horizontal support surface. A fabric cover for the torso support includes a sleeve in registration with each breast cavity. The sleeve may be closed at to a lower end adjacent a bottom of each breast cavity. The system may further comprise a head cushion that mates with the torso support to fit efficiently in a carrying case.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present subject matter relates to a system including a support pillow for supporting a user in a prone position and protecting the user's breasts from compressive forces.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Women have occasion to be in a prone position on surfaces having varying degrees of rigidity. For example, a woman may be positioned on a table while receiving a therapeutic body massage. Compressive forces apply pressure to the woman's breasts. Some pressure is caused by body weight. Significant pressure may be created by vertical force applied to the back during a massage. Such pressure may cause discomfort. Discomfort will be especially pronounced in women with large breasts, e.g., whose bra cup size is D or DD.[0005]In the case of women with breast implants, damage may be a concern as well as discomfort. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 300,000 American women had breast augmenta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026]Various methods of protecting a user's breast implants are disclosed herein as well. For instance, one such method comprises providing a torso support pillow having an angled upper surface, providing one or more recesses in the upper surface of the torso support pillow to receive one or more of the user's breasts, and providing an abdominal recess at an edge of the upper surface to accept a portion of the user's torso. The weight of the user's torso can then be supported with the torso support pillow to reduce strain on the user's breast implants.

[0027]The method may also include providing a head cushion having one or more reliefs to receive one or more facial features of the user and supporting the weight of the user's head with the head cushion. At least a first portion of the head cushion may be placed within at least one of the recesses to store the head cushion within the torso support pillow. The torso support pillow may be covered with a cover to protect the torso support pillow as part of the method.

Problems solved by technology

Such pressure may cause discomfort.

In the case of women with breast implants, damage may be a concern as well as discomfort.

While reliability of such implants has increased over the years, they are still subject to damage.

Another study found that nearly half of silicone implants fail within ten years and three-quarters rupture in 20 years.

Breakage is more obvious with saline implants, because they usually deflate quickly.

Silicone implants may leak slowly, so that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is needed to determine if it is broken.

Rupture of implants have an increased risk of bursting when subjected to compression.

This arrangement leaves breasts unsupported and subject to the forces of gravity.

Discomfort to large-breasted women may result.

The rectangular cavity can only accommodate breasts whose size does not exceed the depth of the cavity.

However, the manufacturing specifications are complex compared to other prior art supports.

Further, the support is not as conveniently transportable from a home to a massage therapist, e.g., as a nominal tote bag carried by a woman.

Consequently, while the breasts are protected, the back may be thrust into an uncomfortable position.

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