A breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function

Abstract

The present application provides a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions, comprising: a shell, a control circuit built in, and a power supply unit and one or more vibration motors electrically connected thereto; an outer contour silicone with a corresponding structure wrapped outside the shell; one or more pressure sensors are arranged between the shell and the outer contour silicone, and are electrically connected to the control circuit respectively. The breast prosthesis of the present application can generate feedback to external contact, and can adjust the temperature at the same time, so that the patient does not feel stress after wearing it, and reduces the foreign body sensation, thereby improving wearing comfort and user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of breast prosthesis, and in particular to a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions. Background Art

[0002] Swell, also known as artificial breast or prosthetic breast, is a substitute for breast cancer patients who have undergone resection surgery (a kind of prosthesis, different from adult products, it is a surgical rehabilitation product). The common material of the prosthesis is solid medical silicone rubber, which has good biocompatibility, is non-irritating, non-toxic, and has no allergic reaction to human tissues, and has very few body rejection reactions; it has good physical and chemical properties, and can maintain its original elasticity and softness during contact with body fluids and tissues, and is not degraded. It is a fairly stable inert substance.

[0003] Prosthetic breasts can effectively fill the physical defects of women after breast surgery, restore their confidence in life, and regain the charm of women who have lost their breasts. More importantly, the weight of the prosthetic breast is scientifically calculated to be very close to the weight of the normal breast on the opposite side, which can maintain the body balance after surgery and prevent and treat torticollis, oblique shoulders and scoliosis caused by asymmetric weight of the left and right breasts after surgery. At the same time, the elasticity of the prosthetic breast can buffer and prevent external forces from damaging the chest.

[0004] However, existing breast prostheses mainly focus on structural improvements or appearance and aesthetic design, but pay less attention to the wearer's external feelings. For example, patients who have undergone mastectomy cannot provide feedback on external contact, and the lack of feedback often makes patients feel like wearing a foreign body; in addition, there is a lack of temperature control and adjustment for the use of breast prostheses, and patients experience stress and discomfort due to temperature differences when wearing them. These functions can alleviate the wearer's psychological barriers and greatly improve the comfort of wearing, so they are of great significance to mastectomy patients. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present application provides a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions, which is used to solve at least one problem existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the present application provides a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions, including: a bowl-shaped shell, whose opening faces the wearer when worn; a control circuit, a power supply unit and one or more vibration motors electrically connected to the shell are arranged inside the shell; the outer shell is wrapped with an outer contour silicone of a corresponding structure; one or more pressure sensors are arranged between the shell and the outer contour silicone, and are electrically connected to the control circuit respectively.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present application, when any one or more of the pressure sensors sense the contact pressure transmitted by the outer contour silicone during wearing, the control circuit controls the corresponding one or more vibration motors to vibrate to simulate tactile feedback to the wearer; or, before wearing, one or more of the vibration motors are controlled to vibrate to perform heating by mechanical work.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present application, each of the vibration motors is fixed near the opening of the housing and is arranged in a distributed manner.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present application, the pressure sensors are arranged in a distributed manner and have a one-to-one correspondence with the vibration motors; wherein, when the pressure sensor in an orientation area senses contact pressure, the vibration motor in the corresponding orientation area is vibrated through the control circuit.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present application, the vibration motor can provide different vibration frequencies; the contact pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is proportional to the vibration frequency of the vibration motor.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present application, the time at which the contact pressure is sensed by the pressure sensor is synchronized with the time at which the vibration motor is controlled to vibrate.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present application, one or more vibration motors are controlled to vibrate for a preset time before wearing so as to heat the device to a temperature suitable for wearing.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, a temperature sensor is mounted on the control circuit; one or more vibration motors are controlled to vibrate before wearing, and the vibration is stopped when the temperature reaches a preset wearing temperature.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, the pressure sensor adjusts sensitivity according to the thickness of the outer contour silicone.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present application, the power supply unit can be charged by an external power source; wherein, while charging, one or more vibration motors can also be controlled to vibrate for heating.

[0016] In summary, the present application provides a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions, comprising: a bowl-shaped shell, whose opening faces the wearer when worn; a control circuit, a power supply unit and one or more vibration motors electrically connected to the control circuit are arranged inside the shell; the outer shell is wrapped with an outer contour silicone of a corresponding structure; one or more pressure sensors are arranged between the shell and the outer contour silicone, and are electrically connected to the control circuit respectively.

[0017] The following beneficial effects were achieved:

[0018] 1. This application adopts a pressure sensor to collect the pressure signal on the outer surface of the prosthesis and feed it back to the inner skin of the wearer through the action of a vibration motor, thereby realizing the transmission of tactile sensation and reducing the psychological barriers of patients;

[0019] 2. Due to the sealing property of silicone material, the vibration motor and temperature sensor are used to generate heat by mechanical vibration before the patient wears it, and the temperature is adjusted by the value of the sensor to achieve closed-loop control of the temperature, thus improving the wearer's experience;

[0020] 3. The regionality of tactile feedback is achieved by matching multiple contact points and multiple vibration motors. By obtaining the size of the pressure value, the vibration frequency of the motor is adjusted to simulate contacts of different intensities. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions in one embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 2 It is a side view schematic diagram of a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions in one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following describes the embodiments of the present application through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0024] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present application. Although the drawings only show components related to the present application rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component in actual implementation may be changed arbitrarily, and the component layout may also be more complicated.

[0025] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case of "direct connection" but also the case of "indirect connection" by placing other elements therebetween. In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain constituent element, unless otherwise stated, it does not exclude other constituent elements, but means that other constituent elements may be included.

[0026] The terms first, second and third are used to describe various parts, components, regions, layers and / or segments, but are not limited thereto. These terms are only used to distinguish a certain part, component, region, layer or segment from other parts, components, regions, layers or segments. Therefore, the first part, component, region, layer or segment described below may refer to the second part, component, region, layer or segment within the scope of this application.

[0027] Furthermore, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless there is an indication to the contrary in the context. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise", "include" indicate the presence of the described features, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups, but do not exclude the presence, occurrence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups. The terms "or" and "and / or" used herein are interpreted as inclusive, or mean any one or any combination. Therefore, "A, B or C" or "A, B and / or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C". Exceptions to this definition will only occur when the combination of elements, functions or operations is inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

[0028] However, existing breast prostheses are mainly improved in terms of structural convenience. For patients who have undergone mastectomy, there is no feedback on external contact, and the lack of feedback causes patients to feel a foreign body when wearing the breast prosthesis. In addition, there is a lack of temperature control and adjustment for the use of breast prostheses, and patients experience stress and discomfort due to temperature differences when wearing the breast prostheses. Most of them ignore the comfort of wearing breast prostheses.

[0029] In view of the defects of existing breast prostheses that lack external contact feedback and temperature heating, the present application provides a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, a schematic diagram of the structure of a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions in an embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in the figure, it includes:

[0031] The outer shell 1 is a bowl-shaped structure, and its opening faces the wearer when worn; a control circuit 2, a power supply unit 3 and one or more vibration motors 4 electrically connected to the outer shell 1 are arranged inside the outer shell 1; an outer contour silicone rubber 6 of a corresponding structure is wrapped outside the outer shell 1; one or more pressure sensors 5 are arranged between the outer shell 1 and the outer contour silicone rubber 6, and are electrically connected to the control circuit 2 respectively.

[0032] In short, on one hand, the housing 1 mainly serves as a supporting structure for the control circuit 2, the power supply unit 3, one or more vibration motors 4, and one or more pressure sensors 5, and on the other hand, it supports the shape of the prosthesis for the outer contour silicone 6.

[0033] Preferably, the control circuit 2, the power supply unit 3, and the one or more vibration motors 4 carried in the housing 1 are not fixed in contact with each other, but can be fixed in a separate manner by a bracket or a fixing plate. The present application does not limit the way they are fixed in the housing 1.

[0034] It should be noted that, in the present application, on the one hand, the vibration motor 4 is used to simulate touch feedback, and on the other hand, the mechanical work of the vibration of the vibration motor 4 is used to achieve heating.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present application, when any one or more of the pressure sensors 5 sense the contact pressure transmitted by the outer contour silicone 6 while being worn, the control circuit 2 controls the corresponding one or more of the vibration motors 4 to vibrate to simulate tactile feedback to the wearer; or, before wearing, one or more of the vibration motors 4 are controlled to vibrate to heat by mechanical work.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present application, for the function of touch feedback, the present application uses a pressure sensor 5 to realize the sensing of touch pressure. Each of the vibration motors 4 is fixed near the opening of the housing 1 and arranged in a distributed manner. Each of the pressure sensors 5 is also arranged in a distributed manner and has a one-to-one correspondence with each of the vibration motors 4.

[0037] Preferably, when the pressure sensor 5 in a directional area senses the contact pressure, the control circuit 2 makes the vibration motor 4 in the corresponding directional area vibrate. For example, assuming that the breast prosthesis is divided into four directions, then four pressure sensors 5 are respectively arranged at the four directions outside the shell 1, and four vibration motors 4 are also respectively arranged at the four directions near the opening inside the shell 1. Therefore, when the pressure sensor 5 in a directional area senses the contact pressure, the control circuit 2 can be used to make the vibration motor 4 in the corresponding directional area vibrate, so as to simulate the touch on the contact surface to the chest skin of the wearer.

[0038] In addition, in addition to realizing the one-to-one correspondence between each pressure sensor 5 and each of the vibration motors 4 in an azimuth manner, it can also be realized by numbering or coding. For example, when the pressure sensor 5 numbered A senses contact pressure, the control circuit 2 is used to make the vibration motor 4 corresponding to numbered A vibrate.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present application, the vibration motor 4 can provide different vibration frequencies by controlling the power supply voltage of the power supply unit 3. Furthermore, in order to achieve a more realistic touch feedback effect, the contact pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 5 is proportional to the vibration frequency of the vibration motor 4, that is, when the contact pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 5 is small, the vibration frequency is also correspondingly low, so that the feedback force transmitted to the wearer is also correspondingly small, and vice versa.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present application, in order to achieve a more realistic touch feedback effect, the time of the contact pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 5 is synchronized with the time of controlling the vibration of the vibration motor 4 .

[0041] In one embodiment of the present application, for the touch feedback function, the continuous operation of the vibration motor 4 can achieve a better mechanical work and heat generation effect, and provide a better comfort effect for the wearer. The breast prosthesis described in the present application can start the vibration motor 4 before wearing to heat it to a temperature suitable for wearing.

[0042] In the present application, the pressure sensor 5 can adjust the sensitivity according to the thickness of the outer contour silicone 6. For example, when the thickness is thin, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor 5 can be appropriately reduced, and when the thickness is thick, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor 5 can be appropriately increased, both of which are for the purpose of improving the comfort of the analog feedback when worn.

[0043] Specifically, the present application provides two temperature control methods, but the present application is not limited to these two methods.

[0044] First, before wearing, one or more of the vibration motors 4 are controlled to vibrate for a preset time to heat the breast prosthesis to a temperature suitable for wearing. For example, through multiple tests, it can be measured that the temperature inside the breast prosthesis can reach a comfortable 22 degrees to 26 degrees when the motor vibrates for 5 minutes.

[0045] Secondly, the control circuit 2 is equipped with a temperature sensor 21, which controls one or more vibration motors 4 to vibrate before wearing, and stops vibrating when the nearby temperature reaches a preset wearing temperature.

[0046] For example, the temperature inside the breast prosthesis is detected by the temperature sensor 21. When the temperature reaches a preset temperature of 24 degrees, the vibration motor 4 is stopped by the control circuit 2 to complete the heating function.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present application, the outer contour silicone 6 can be customized or mass-produced according to the wearer's needs. The outer contour silicone 6 can be fixed by gluing or hot pressing.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present application, the power supply unit 3 can be charged by an external power source; wherein, while charging, one or more vibration motors 4 can also be controlled to vibrate for heating.

[0049] For example, a charging interface is reserved at the opening of the housing 1 for charging the power supply unit 3 through an external power source.

[0050] The present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments, but the present application is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0051] First, determine the wearer's needs and design a customized or mass-produced breast prosthesis. The sensitivity of the pressure sensor 5 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the customized outer contour silicone 6. After the adjustment, the pressure sensor 5 is connected to the control circuit 2 board through a connecting wire, and the power supply unit 3 is connected to the control circuit 2 through a battery connecting wire, and each vibration motor 4 is connected to the control circuit 2 through a wire. Then, the control circuit 2, the power supply unit 3 and one or more vibration motors 4 are assembled in the housing 1 to form a breast prosthesis circuit. Finally, the housing 1 with assembled parts is wrapped with the outer contour silicone 6 to complete the production of the entire wearable breast prosthesis.

[0052] When the breast prosthesis is in the charging state, the control circuit 2 makes the vibration motor 4 generate heat by mechanical work and vibrate for a preset time to adjust to a temperature suitable for wearing; or, the onboard temperature sensor 21 detects the temperature and turns off the vibration motor 4 when the preset temperature is reached. When the breast prosthesis is disconnected from the charging state, the heating mode stops.

[0053] After the patient wears the breast prosthesis, when the breast prosthesis has external contact, the pressure will be transmitted to the pressure sensor 5 through the outer contour silicone 6, and the pressure will be converted into a voltage value through the connecting wire to the control circuit 2, which uses different methods to control the vibration motor 4 in the corresponding orientation area through the wire through the PWM signal to vibrate accordingly, so that the patient can feel the contact with the outside world, and at the same time, the distributed arrangement of the vibration motor 4 is used to achieve regional tactile feedback.

[0054] In summary, the present application provides a breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating functions. It includes: a bowl-shaped shell, the opening of which faces the wearer when worn; a control circuit, a power supply unit and one or more vibration motors electrically connected to the shell are arranged inside the shell; the outer shell is wrapped with an outer contour silicone of a corresponding structure; one or more pressure sensors are arranged between the shell and the outer contour silicone, and are electrically connected to the control circuit respectively.

[0055] This application has the following beneficial effects:

[0056] 1. This application adopts a pressure sensor to collect the pressure signal on the outer surface of the prosthesis and feed it back to the inner skin of the wearer through the action of a vibration motor, thereby realizing the transmission of tactile sensation and reducing the psychological barriers of patients;

[0057] 2. Due to the sealing property of silicone material, the vibration motor and temperature sensor are used to generate heat by mechanical vibration before the patient wears it, and the temperature is adjusted by the value of the sensor to achieve closed-loop control of the temperature, thus improving the wearer's experience;

[0058] 3. The regionality of tactile feedback is achieved by matching multiple contact points and multiple vibration motors. By obtaining the size of the pressure value, the vibration frequency of the motor is adjusted to simulate contacts of different intensities.

[0059] The present invention effectively overcomes various shortcomings of the prior art and has high industrial utilization value.

[0060] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Anyone familiar with the technology may modify or change the above embodiments without violating the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed in the present application shall still be covered by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function, characterized in that: include: The outer shell is a bowl-shaped structure, and its opening faces the wearer when worn; The housing is provided with a control circuit, a power supply unit and one or more vibration motors electrically connected thereto respectively; the control circuit is equipped with a temperature sensor; The outer shell is wrapped with outer contour silicone of corresponding structure; One or more pressure sensors are provided between the housing and the outer contour silicone and are electrically connected to the control circuit respectively; Wherein, each of the vibration motors is fixed near the opening of the housing and is arranged in a distributed manner; each of the pressure sensors is arranged in a distributed manner and has a one-to-one correspondence with each of the vibration motors; When any one or more of the pressure sensors sense the contact pressure transmitted by the outer contour silicone while being worn, the control circuit controls one or more of the vibration motors in the corresponding area to vibrate to simulate tactile feedback to the wearer; or, before wearing, one or more of the vibration motors are controlled to vibrate to perform heating by mechanical work.

2. The breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vibration motor can provide different vibration frequencies; the contact pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is proportional to the vibration frequency of the vibration motor.

3. The breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The time of the contact pressure sensed by the pressure sensor is synchronized with the time of controlling the vibration of the vibration motor.

4. The breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before wearing, one or more of the vibration motors are controlled to vibrate for a preset time so as to heat the device to a temperature suitable for wearing.

5. The breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before wearing, one or more vibration motors are controlled to vibrate, and the vibration is stopped when the temperature reaches a preset wearing temperature.

6. The breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure sensor adjusts sensitivity according to the thickness of the outer contour silicone.

7. The breast prosthesis with touch feedback and heating function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply unit can be charged by an external power source; wherein, while charging, one or more vibration motors can be controlled to vibrate for heating.

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