External artificial breast

Abstract

To provide an external breast prosthesis that has improved drying properties, weight, or ease of adjustment. [Solution] The external artificial breast 1 comprises a breast body 10 having a first layer 11 positioned on the user 91 side and a second layer 12 positioned on the opposite side of the first layer, the first layer and the second layer being joined to each other at their periphery, and a bag-shaped space 15 with an opening 13 being formed between the first layer and the second layer, and an adjustment member 20 that is detachably housed in the space through the opening to adjust the thickness of the breast body. At least the first layer of the breast body is made of wetsuit material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an external artificial breast.

Background Art

[0002] As a prosthesis after breast cancer surgery, an external artificial breast, so-called a breast prosthesis, is widely used. The conventional external artificial breast mainly has a structure in which a silicone gel is filled in a bag made of a silicone elastomer, and it has excellent touch and appearance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the external artificial breast mainly made of silicone gel has the following problems. The first problem is the low water resistance and dryness. In the external artificial breast mainly made of silicone gel, if the outer shell is damaged, the internal silicone gel may leak, and the outer shell that houses the silicone gel is likely to absorb moisture, and it takes a long time to dry after swimming or taking a bath.

[0005] The second problem is the wearing burden due to the high specific gravity. Since the specific gravity of the silicone gel is about 0.97 to 1.10, which is almost the same as that of water, the external artificial breast mainly made of silicone gel increases in weight as the volume increases, and imposes a load on the user's shoulders and back.

[0006] The third problem is that the thickness and shape are fixed. Since the external artificial breast mainly made of silicone gel has a fixed thickness and shape, it is difficult to adjust the volume according to the user's body shape and postoperative course.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an external artificial breast that can solve at least one of the first to third problems described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The external breast prosthesis (1, 1A) according to the embodiment is A breast body (10, 10A) having a first layer (11, 11A) positioned on the user (91) side and a second layer (12, 12A) positioned on the opposite side from the first layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined to each other at their periphery, and a bag-like space (15, 15A) with an opening (13, 13A) is formed between the first layer and the second layer, The device includes an adjustment member (20, 20A) that is detachably housed in the space through the opening and adjusts the thickness of the breast body, At least the first layer of the breast body is made of wetsuit material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external view showing an example of an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment, and is an external view showing the state in which the adjustment member has been removed from the breast body. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment, and is an external view showing the state in which the adjustment member has been removed from the breast body. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the wetsuit material used in the external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of attaching an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment to clothing. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment attached to clothing. [Figure 7]Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a user wearing clothing to which an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment is attached. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the manufacturing process for an external breast prosthesis according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an external view showing an example of an external breast prosthesis according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of an external breast prosthesis according to the second embodiment, and is an external view showing the state in which the adjustment member has been removed from the breast body. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of attaching an external breast prosthesis according to the second embodiment to clothing. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Several embodiments of the external breast prosthesis of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The external breast prosthesis shown in the following embodiments functions as a prosthesis used by patients after breast cancer surgery and solves the problems of conventional silicone gel external breast prostheses. External breast prosthesis 1 is not implanted inside the user's body, but is worn outside the user's body.

[0011] (First Embodiment) First, the external breast prosthesis 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the external breast prosthesis 1 comprises a breast body 10, an adjustment member 20, and a connecting member 30 as its main components. When viewed from the front of the user, for example, the external breast prosthesis 1 is formed in an elliptical, circular, or curved triangular shape with curved sides, which is close to the natural shape of a breast. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the breast body 10 is formed in a shape that has a bulge close to the natural shape of a breast when viewed from the side of the user 91.

[0012] The breast body 10 has a first layer 11 disposed on the user side and a second layer 12 disposed on the side opposite to the first layer 11. The breast body 10 has a bag-shaped space 15 in which the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are joined to each other at the peripheral portion and an opening 13 is formed between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12. The bag-shaped space 15 is for housing the adjustment member 20. The adjustment member 20 is inserted into and taken out of the space 15 through the opening 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the size of the opening 13, that is, the opening width L1, is set to be larger than the maximum width L2 of the adjustment member 20. Therefore, the user can insert and take out the adjustment member 20 into and out of the space 15 through the opening 13 without bending the adjustment member 20. Here, the opening width L1 refers to the length in the plane direction of the opening 13, and the maximum width L2 refers to the maximum length in the plane direction of the adjustment member 20.

[0013] The first layer 11 is a member that constitutes the surface that directly contacts the user's chest. The first layer 11 is made of a material that is gentle to the user's skin and has appropriate elasticity. In the present embodiment, the first layer 11 is made of a wet suit material.

[0014] The second layer 12 is a member disposed on the side opposite to the first layer 11, that is, on the outside as viewed from the user. The second layer 12 forms the appearance of the external artificial breast 1. The second layer 12 is made of a material different from the first layer 11, that is, a material other than the wet suit material. The second layer 12 can be constituted by, for example, a resin molded product imitating the shape of the breast. Also, the second layer 12 can be constituted by, for example, a water-impermeable fabric that does not allow water to pass through. It is preferable to impart a color tone close to the skin color to the second layer 12 in order to improve the naturalness of the appearance.

[0015] The joining of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 is carried out by applying the manufacturing technology of wet suits. For example, methods such as adhesion using an aqueous bond, sewing, or heat welding can be used alone or in combination. The joining part of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 is referred to as the joining portion 14. The joining portion 14 preferably forms a bag-shaped space 15 and has sufficient strength against the stress during use. The joining portion 14 may be configured to closely adhere the connecting portion of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12, but it is not necessarily required to be closely adhered. The width of the joining portion 14, that is, the joining width, is set within a range of, for example, 5 mm to 20 mm and is optimized according to the materials used and the joining method.

[0016] The opening 13 is for inserting or removing the adjusting member 20 into or from the bag-shaped space 15. The opening 13 is provided, for example, at a portion where the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are not joined, that is, at a portion other than the joining portion 14 on the peripheral edge of the breast body 10. The size of the opening 13 is set so that the insertion and removal of the adjusting member 20 can be easily performed. The length dimension of the opening 13 along the peripheral edge of the breast body 10 is set within a range of, for example, 20 mm to 50 mm.

[0017] The breast body 10 may have, for example, closing means for closing the opening 13 after the insertion of the adjusting member 20. As the closing means, a fastener, a surface fastener, a snap button, or a folded-back structure can be used.

[0018] The adjusting member 20 is a member that is detachably housed in the bag-shaped space 15 through the opening 13. The main function of the adjusting member 20 is to adjust the thickness of the breast body 10. The adjusting member 20 is formed, for example, in a sheet shape or a thin plate shape. The user can adjust the overall volume of the external artificial breast 1 according to their body shape and preference by changing the number and thickness of the adjusting members 20.

[0019] The adjustment member 20 is preferably made of wetsuit material. By using wetsuit material, the adjustment member 20 is lightweight while possessing appropriate elasticity and resilience, and can maintain its shape even after long-term use. In addition, because wetsuit material has excellent water resistance, it can suppress performance deterioration even when swimming or bathing.

[0020] The adjustment member 20 is preferably configured in sheet form. The sheet-shaped adjustment member 20 is easy to insert into the bag-shaped space 15, and by using multiple sheets stacked together, fine thickness adjustment is possible. The thickness of the sheet-shaped adjustment member 20 can be set, for example, in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm. The user can use one to about five adjustment members 20 in combination as needed.

[0021] The shape of the adjustment member 20 is designed to correspond to the shape of the pouch-like space 15 in the breast body 10, and is formed, for example, as an oval, circular, or curved triangular sheet shape that is close to the natural shape of the breast. The size of the adjustment member 20 is set to be slightly smaller than the pouch-like space 15, and is configured so that the adjustment member 20 can be moved and its position adjusted within the space 15. In this case, it is preferable that the size of the adjustment member 20 is such that it can be moved by the user's operation within the space 15, but does not move due to vibrations during wear.

[0022] The adjustment member 20 can be equipped with a tab for removal or a gripping part to improve user convenience. Furthermore, the surface of the adjustment member 20 can be coated with fine irregularities for slip resistance or with an antibacterial and deodorizing coating. In addition, by providing multiple types of adjustment members 20 with different thicknesses and hardnesses, the user's more specific needs can be met.

[0023] In this embodiment, at least the first layer 11 of the breast body 10 is made of wetsuit material 50. In this embodiment, the adjustment member 20 is also made of wetsuit material 50. The second layer 12 may be made of wetsuit material 50, or it may be made of a different material, such as fabric.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the wetsuit material 50 has a foamed elastic layer 51 made of a closed-porous foam with elasticity, and a functional layer 52 that covers the surface and back surface of the foamed elastic layer 51. This configuration simultaneously achieves lightness, water resistance, and adjustability that could not be achieved with conventional silicone gel external breast prostheses.

[0025] The foamed elastic layer 51 is composed of a closed-porous foam mainly made of, for example, neoprene rubber, chloroprene-based rubber, chloroprene foam, or other synthetic rubber. Alternatively, the foamed elastic layer 51 can also utilize, for example, limestone-derived chloroprene or plant-based natural rubber foam. The closed-porous foam contains numerous independent air bubbles, thereby achieving lightweight properties and heat insulation. The density of the foamed elastic layer 51 is, for example, 0.2 g / cm³. 3 From 0.6 g / cm³ 3 It is set within this range. This density range allows for sufficient lightness while achieving the necessary elasticity and shape retention.

[0026] The thickness of the foamed elastic layer 51 is adjusted according to the application and required performance of the external breast prosthesis 1. The thickness of the foamed elastic layer 51 used in the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 can be set in the range of, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm. The thickness of the foamed elastic layer 51 used in the adjustment member 20 can be set in the range of, for example, 2 mm to 8 mm. By selecting the thickness of the foamed elastic layer 51, the balance between the overall flexibility and shape retention of the external breast prosthesis 1 can be adjusted.

[0027] The functional layer 52 is positioned to cover the front and back surfaces of the foamed elastic layer 51 and has at least one of the following functions: water repellency, hydrophilicity, abrasion resistance, friction reduction, heat retention, or antibacterial properties. The functional layer 52 is made of nylon, polyester, polyurethane, or a composite material thereof. The thickness of the functional layer 52 can be set, for example, in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0028] If the functional layer 52 has a water-repellent function, the wetsuit material 50 prevents moisture from adhering to the surface of the outer artificial breast 1, thereby shortening the drying time after use in water. If the functional layer 52 has a hydrophilic function, the wetsuit material 50 is placed on the surface that comes into contact with the user's skin, and by moderately absorbing and releasing moisture such as sweat, it can provide a comfortable fit. If the functional layer 52 has an abrasion-resistant function, the wetsuit material 50 improves durability against friction and abrasion during everyday use.

[0029] If the functional layer 52 has a friction-reducing function, the wetsuit material 50 reduces friction with clothing and alleviates discomfort when worn. If the functional layer 52 has a heat-retaining function, the wetsuit material 50 maintains the user's body temperature appropriately and improves comfort, especially when used in water. These functions of the functional layer 52 can be used individually, or they can be combined into a composite material.

[0030] The functional layer 52 can be given antibacterial properties by, for example, incorporating metals that exhibit antibacterial properties, such as silver or titanium, into the fabric. When the functional layer 52 has antibacterial properties, it can suppress the growth of bacteria after use, keep the outer artificial breast 1 clean, and suppress unpleasant odors.

[0031] The connecting member 30 is positioned on the outer surface of the second layer 12, that is, near the apex that protrudes most in the thickness direction of the breast body 10. Here, "near the apex" does not mean precisely identifying a single geometric point, but rather a concept that includes the vicinity of the apex in the range where the nipple is located and appears natural. The connecting member 30 has a shape that mimics a nipple and can be detachably fixed to the inner surface of the clothing 90 by engaging with the corresponding receiving member 40. With this configuration, the external artificial breast 1 can be directly attached to various types of clothing such as T-shirts and swimsuits without the need for a special bra.

[0032] The connecting member 30 is formed into a pseudo-nipple shape, mimicking the natural shape of a nipple. Specifically, it is based on a conical or hemispherical shape, and may have a moderate protrusion at the tip. The diameter of the connecting member 30 is set in the range of, for example, 10 mm to 25 mm, and the height is set in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm. These dimensions are optimized to achieve a natural appearance while ensuring the ability to be attached to clothing.

[0033] The connecting member 30 is provided with a connecting mechanism for connecting to the inner surface of the garment. The connecting mechanism can include magnets, buttons, snap buttons, or hook-and-loop fasteners. If magnets are used, strong permanent magnets such as neodymium magnets are used to securely fasten the garment. If buttons or snap buttons are used for the connecting member 30, a receiving member 40 corresponding to the inner surface of the garment 90 is pre-attached, for example, as shown in Figure 5. If magnets are used for the connecting member 30, the receiving member 40 shown in Figure 5 can be made of, for example, opposing magnets or metal.

[0034] The user 91 can easily attach the external breast prosthesis 1 by first connecting the connecting member 30 of the external breast prosthesis 1 to the receiving member 40 provided on the clothing 90 and then wearing the clothing 90. In Figure 7, a gap is shown between the clothing 90 and the user 91, but in reality, if the clothing 90 is a swimsuit or T-shirt, the clothing 90 may be in close contact with the body.

[0035] Next, with reference to Figure 8, an example of a method for manufacturing the external breast prosthesis 1 will be described. The external breast prosthesis 1 can be manufactured, for example, based on wetsuit manufacturing technology. For example, first, the first step S11 is performed. In the first step, patterns corresponding to the shapes of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are cut out from a sheet of wetsuit material. A laser cutter, a water jet cutter, or a dedicated die-cutting device can be used to cut out the patterns.

[0036] Step S12, the second step, is performed. The second step involves shaping the cut-out pattern into a predetermined form. Methods such as thermoforming, vacuum forming, or compression forming can be used for shaping. During shaping, a special mold is used to reproduce the natural curved shape of the breast. The mold has a standard shape designed based on body shape data from a large number of breast cancer patients.

[0037] Next, the third step of step S13 is performed. The third step is to attach the connecting member 30 to the second layer 12. Depending on the type of connecting member 30, adhesive, stitching, or other methods may be used.

[0038] Next, the fourth step of step S14 is performed. The fourth step is the process of joining the first layer 11 and the second layer 12. The joining of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 is performed using a water-based adhesive used in the manufacture of wetsuits. Water-based adhesives have a low environmental impact and are also considerate of the health of workers. In the joining process, the water-based adhesive is first applied to the periphery of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12, dried for a predetermined time, and then joined using a crimping device. After joining, a quality inspection is performed to confirm the strength of the joint. Note that the joining of the first layer 11 and the second layer 12 may also be performed by suturing.

[0039] Furthermore, for example, the fifth step, step S15, is executed in parallel with the first to fourth steps. The fifth step is the process of manufacturing the adjustment member 20. The adjustment member 20 is manufactured by cutting it into a predetermined shape and size from a sheet of wetsuit material. It is preferable to provide the adjustment member 20 in multiple variations of thickness and hardness according to the user's needs. Each adjustment member 20 can be color-coded or printed with symbols for identification.

[0040] Then, the sixth step of step S16 is performed. The sixth step is to assemble the completed components as the outer artificial breast 1. In the sixth step, the adjustment member 20 is inserted into the bag-shaped space 15 and the opening 13 is closed to assemble the outer artificial breast 1.

[0041] The external breast prosthesis 1 according to the embodiment described above comprises a breast body 10 and an adjustment member 20. The breast body 10 has a first layer 11 positioned on the user side and a second layer 12 positioned on the opposite side of the first layer 11. The first layer 11 and the second layer 12 are joined to each other at their periphery, and a bag-shaped space 15 with an opening 13 is formed between the first layer 11 and the second layer 12. The adjustment member 20 is detachably housed in the space 15 through the opening 13 and has the function of adjusting the thickness of the breast body 10. At least the first layer 11 of the breast body 10 is made of wetsuit material.

[0042] According to this, by constructing at least the first layer 11 of the breast body 10 with wetsuit material, water resistance and quick-drying properties can be ensured, thereby solving the first problem of low water resistance and quick-drying properties. As a result, it becomes possible to reattach the breast quickly even after swimming or bathing, minimizing restrictions on movement.

[0043] Furthermore, wetsuit material has a density of approximately 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 that of silicone gel. Therefore, by constructing at least the first layer 11 of the breast body 10 from wetsuit material, it is possible to reduce the weight compared to an external artificial breast mainly made of silicone gel. This reduces the weight burden on the wearer's shoulders and back, and as a result, the second problem can also be solved.

[0044] Furthermore, the configuration, which allows the adjustment member 20 to be attached to and detached from the bag-shaped space 15, allows the wearer to easily adjust the thickness of the external breast prosthesis 1 according to changes in body shape after surgery and clothing design, thereby maintaining proper left-right balance and appearance, and consequently solving the third problem.

[0045] Furthermore, since the required surface area of ​​the external breast prosthesis 1 is significantly smaller than that of the wetsuit itself, scraps and leftover punching material generated during the wetsuit manufacturing process can be effectively utilized. This reuse reduces CO2 emissions associated with the incineration and landfilling of waste materials, minimizes the amount of waste generated in the manufacturing process, and enables the creation of a resource-recycling business model.

[0046] The adjustment member 20 is made of wetsuit material. By making the adjustment member 20 also from wetsuit material 50, the adjustment member 20 itself has water resistance and quick-drying properties, which suppresses performance degradation and deterioration when used in water, and maintains a comfortable fit and shape stability over a long period of time. Furthermore, by making the adjustment member 20, in addition to the first layer 11, from wetsuit material, the outer artificial breast 1 can be made significantly lighter.

[0047] The adjustment member 20 is configured in a sheet-like form, and the thickness of the breast body 10 can be adjusted by changing the number of sheets inserted into the breast body 10. This configuration, by making the adjustment member 20 sheet-like and allowing its number to be arbitrarily increased or decreased, enables precise adjustment of the thickness of the external breast prosthesis 1 in increments of one sheet of the adjustment member 20. This allows for the optimization of volume in millimeter increments to accommodate changes in postoperative edema, asymmetry, and seasonal clothing thickness, providing a high level of fit for each individual wearer.

[0048] The external breast prosthesis 1 further comprises a connecting member 30. The connecting member 30 is provided on the surface of the second layer 12 of the breast body 10 and at the apex of the breast body 10.

[0049] According to this design, a nipple-shaped connecting member 30 is provided at the apex of the breast body 10, allowing it to be detachably attached to the inner surface of clothing. This enables the external artificial breast 1 to be directly fixed to various types of clothing, such as T-shirts and swimsuits, without relying on a dedicated bra. As a result, the external artificial breast 1 can be prevented from shifting position.

[0050] Furthermore, the connecting member 30 is formed in a shape that mimics a nipple, that is, a pseudo-nipple shape. This effectively prevents the external artificial breast 1 from shifting position while maintaining a natural appearance, simplifying the attachment and detachment process, and improving the wearer's freedom in choosing clothing.

[0051] The wetsuit material 50 comprises a foamed elastic layer 51 and a functional layer 52. The foamed elastic layer 51 is composed of a closed-pore foam that is elastic. The functional layer 52 covers the surface and back surface of the foamed elastic layer 51 and has at least one function, which is water-repellent, hydrophilic, abrasion-resistant, friction-reducing, or heat-retaining.

[0052] By constructing the wetsuit material 50 with a foamed elastic layer 51 made of a closed-pore foam and a functional layer 52 covering both sides thereof, the lightweight and elastic cushioning properties of the foamed elastic layer 51 and the surface functions such as water repellency, abrasion resistance, and heat retention of the functional layer 52 can be simultaneously exhibited. As a result, the external prosthetic breast 1 possesses both durability and comfort that can withstand long-term use, and exhibits excellent usability and maintainability both in water and in daily life.

[0053] (Second Embodiment) Next, the external breast prosthesis 1A of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. In the second embodiment, the letter "A" is appended to the end of the reference numerals of components that have the same or similar functions as those in the first embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, components with the same names as those used in the first embodiment will have the same configuration and function.

[0054] The external breast prosthesis 1A of the second embodiment comprises a breast body 10A, a first layer 11A, a second layer 12A, an opening 13A, a space 15A, an adjustment member 20A, a connecting member 30A, and a closing member 17. The breast body 10A is composed of wetsuit material not only for the first layer 11A but also for the second layer 12A.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10, the opening width L1A of the opening 13A is set to be smaller than the maximum width L2A of the adjustment member 20. In this case, the user folds the adjustment member 20A and inserts and removes it from the space 15A through the opening 13A. When the adjustment member 20A is folded and housed in the space 15A, it returns to a sheet-like shape within the space 15A due to its own restoring force.

[0056] In this way, by setting the opening width L1A smaller than the maximum width L2A of the adjustment member 20A, the adjustment member 20A can be easily inserted and removed by simply bending it temporarily when passing through the opening 13A, while reliably preventing unintended detachment from the opening 13A when worn. As a result, the internal volume of the external breast prosthesis 1A does not fluctuate during use, and the left-right balance and external profile are stably maintained. In addition, the risk of the adjustment member 20A falling out or becoming misaligned is reduced even in water or during vigorous movement, further improving reliability and safety.

[0057] Furthermore, the connecting member 30A is made of hook-and-loop fastener. In this case, the receiving member 40A is also made of hook-and-loop fastener that matches the connecting member 30A. The connecting member 30A and the receiving member 40A are formed in a shape that mimics a nipple, for example, a disc shape. The receiving member 40A can be attached to the inner surface of the garment 90, for example, using a thermosetting adhesive such as double-sided tape or hot melt, or by sewing it on.

[0058] In general, hook fasteners have a stiffer hook side and a softer loop side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting member 30A is the hook side and the receiving member 40A is the loop side. This reduces discomfort caused by the receiving member 40A touching the skin, even when the user wears clothing 90 to which the receiving member 40A is attached, without wearing the external breast prosthesis 1A.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the first layer 11A has an anti-slip portion 16. The anti-slip portion 16 is provided by applying a process to increase the coefficient of friction to a part or all of the user-facing surface, i.e., the outer surface, of the first layer 11A. Suitable materials for the anti-slip portion 16 include, for example, silicone gel, silicone elastomer, micro-suction sheet having a fine suction cup structure, or ether-based polyurethane (TPU) gel, or polyurethane film, taking into account skin safety, friction resistance, water resistance, and wash durability. It is also preferable to use medical-grade materials for the anti-slip portion 16.

[0060] The closing member 17 is a closing means for closing the opening 13A after the adjustment member 20A has been inserted. In this embodiment, the closing member 17 is made of, for example, hook-and-loop fastener or snap button. The closing members 17 are provided in pairs on the opposing surfaces of the first layer 11A and the second layer 12A. The closing member 17 connects, for example, only one point in the separated portion between the first layer 11A and the second layer 12A that constitute the opening 13A. By closing the opening 13A with the closing member 17, it is possible to more reliably prevent the adjustment member 20A from unintentionally falling out of the opening 13A.

[0061] The external breast prosthesis 1A of the second embodiment described above provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the external breast prosthesis 1A of the second embodiment, not only the first layer 11A but also the second layer 12A is made of wetsuit material.

[0062] According to this, by constructing both the first layer 11A and the second layer 12A from a wetsuit material with excellent water resistance and quick-drying properties, the outer breast prosthesis 1A exhibits uniform lightness and elastic cushioning throughout. Therefore, even in high-humidity environments such as swimming or bathing, moisture is less likely to accumulate between the two layers, allowing it to dry quickly and be reattached, while also suppressing sagging and deformation of the appearance over the long term. As a result, the wearer can use it comfortably in any situation, from daily life to water activities, and the burden of maintenance and upkeep is also reduced.

[0063] Furthermore, the first layer 11A has an anti-slip portion 16 on part or all of the user-facing surface that is processed to increase the coefficient of friction. As a result, by providing the anti-slip portion 16, which consists of a silicone gel with high water wash resistance or a micro-suction structure, on the user-facing surface of the first layer 11A, the interfacial friction coefficient between the contact surface and the skin is improved, and the shifting, rotation, and falling of the external breast prosthesis 1A can be significantly suppressed even when sweat or water droplets are present. In addition, by using medical-grade material for the anti-slip portion 16, skin irritation and rashes are less likely to occur even with prolonged contact, and the anti-slip performance is maintained even after repeated washing. As a result, the wearer can obtain a stable fit and a sense of security even in high-temperature and high-humidity environments such as during exercise or after bathing.

[0064] The connecting member 30A is made of hook-and-loop fastener. With this, the external breast prosthesis 1A can be securely fixed to the clothing 90 simply by pressing the connecting member 30A and the receiving member 40A together, and can be easily detached by simply pinching and pulling apart the ends. As a result, the user can attach, adjust the position of, and remove the external breast prosthesis 1A with one hand in a short amount of time. Furthermore, since the connecting member 30A and the receiving member 40A can be constructed without using metal parts or magnets, there is no risk of corrosion from sweat or seawater or metal allergies, and the risk of damaging clothing or washing machines during washing is also reduced. In addition, because hook-and-loop fasteners are thin, lightweight, and inexpensive to mass-produce, they contribute to the overall weight reduction and manufacturing cost reduction of the external breast prosthesis 1A, improving both usability and economy at the same time.

[0065] The embodiments described above are not limited to those described above and shown in the drawings, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, some components of one embodiment can be incorporated into another, or some components of each embodiment can be rearranged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1, 1A…Outer artificial breast, 10, 10A…Breast body, 11, 11A…First layer, 12, 12A…Second layer, 13, 13A…Opening, 15, 15A…Space, 20, 20A…Adjustment member, 30, 30A…Connecting member, 50…Wetsuit material, 51…Foam elastic layer, 52…Functional layer, 90…Clothing, 91…User

Claims

1. A breast body (10, 10A) having a first layer (11, 11A) positioned on the user (91) side and a second layer (12, 12A) positioned on the opposite side from the first layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined to each other at their periphery, and a bag-like space (15, 15A) with an opening (13, 13A) is formed between the first layer and the second layer, The device comprises an adjustment member (20, 20A) which is configured in a sheet shape and is detachably stored in the space through the opening, and which adjusts the thickness of the breast body by changing the number of sheets inserted into the breast body, The first layer, the second layer, and the adjustment member are made of wetsuit material. The aforementioned wetsuit material is A foamed elastic layer (51) is constructed of a closed-pore foam mainly composed of rubber and has elasticity, The foamed elastic layer has a functional layer (52) covering its surface and back surface, which is made of nylon, polyester, polyurethane, or a composite material thereof. External artificial breast (1, 1A).

2. The opening width (L1A) of the opening is set to be smaller than the maximum width (L2A) of the adjustment member. The external breast prosthesis according to claim 1.

3. The first layer has an anti-slip portion (16) on part or all of the user-facing surface which is processed to increase the coefficient of friction. The external breast prosthesis according to claim 1.

4. The device further includes connecting members (30, 30A) provided on the surface of the second layer and at the apex in the thickness direction of the breast body, which can be detachably connected to the inner surface of the user's clothing (90). The external breast prosthesis according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned connecting member is made of hook-and-loop fasteners. The external breast prosthesis according to claim 4.

6. The functional layer covers the surface and back surface of the foamed elastic layer and has at least one of the following functions: water-repellent function, hydrophilic function, abrasion-resistant function, friction-reducing function, heat-retaining function, or antibacterial function. An external breast prosthesis according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images