Breast prosthesis with reinforced rear side

Abstract

The invention relates to a breast prosthesis (1) comprising a shell-shaped body (2) which has a convex front side (3) and a concave rear side (4) adjoining the front side, wherein on the concave rear side (4) there are one or more supporting reinforcements in the form of one or more peripheral strips (4b, 2b) which, in a rear view of the shell-shaped body (2), run substantially parallel to an outer contour of the shell-shaped body (2), and / or in the form of ribs (11) which, in a rear view of the shell-shaped body (2), extend vertically parallel to one another or in a star shape from an interior space (10) of the shell-shaped body (2) towards the outer edges (7a, 7b, 8, 9) thereof, wherein the ribs (11) comprise weighting material.

Description

[0001] Breast prosthesis with reinforced back

[0002] The invention relates to a breast prosthesis, in particular a breast prosthesis for initial care, for wearing in a left or right cup of a bra or corset after a mastectomy in women, in particular a breast prosthesis with a reinforced back.

[0003] Immediately after breast surgery, the surgical area and surrounding tissue are very sensitive. Breast cancer patients typically receive their initial prosthesis while still in the hospital. This initial prosthesis is usually worn for a few weeks until the wound has completely healed. Problems arise when the prosthesis presses against or rubs against the operated tissue. This can cause pain and impair healing after breast surgery. Therefore, high demands are placed on initial prostheses. They must not only be stable but also offer a high level of comfort.

[0004] Breast prostheses with a reinforced back are known, for example, from EP 0 657 148 A1. This patent discloses a breast prosthesis for wearing in the upper part of a swimwear garment. It consists of a soft, elastic, shell-shaped plastic body, the back of which, facing the wearer's body, has a cavity and several stiffening ribs projecting from the surface of the cavity. These stiffening ribs extend straight and continuously between the upper and lower edges of the cavity. The stiffening ribs preferably have a back surface that is concave in a central longitudinal section to prevent the ribs from contacting a surgical scar.

[0005] However, the stiffening ribs shown in EP 0657 148 A1 do not prevent the breast prosthesis from being undesirably deformed, in particular flattened, in a bra or corset. The invention is based on the objective of providing a breast prosthesis that increases both the stability and wearing comfort of the prosthesis.

[0006] To solve the problem, the features of independent claim 1 are proposed. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention relates to a breast prosthesis comprising a shell-shaped body made of an elastic thermoplastic, which has a convex front and a concave back adjoining the front.

[0008] The breast prosthesis according to the invention can in particular be a symmetrical breast prosthesis whose axis of symmetry runs centrally and vertically through the breast prosthesis.

[0009] The convex front of the shell-shaped body is designed to mimic the shape of a female breast, while the concave back, which faces the body of the wearer, has a hollow and is designed to rest only on its edges against the wearer's body, thus providing good ventilation of the underlying skin and space for remaining breast tissue.

[0010] On the concave rear side of the shell-shaped body, one or more supporting reinforcements are arranged, designed as one or more circumferential bands and / or ribs. The supporting reinforcements may, in particular, be integrated into the concave rear side.

[0011] The breast prosthesis according to the invention, with its shell-shaped body, has the advantage that the supporting reinforcements increase its stability, particularly against pressure on the front, thus preventing the prosthesis from being flattened. The supporting reinforcements, especially the one or more circumferential bands, prevent the prosthesis from spreading apart. Since the reinforcements require only a small amount of material, there is virtually no increase in weight. Furthermore, the concave shape of the back allows sufficient ventilation of the wearer's skin beneath the prosthesis, thereby increasing wearing comfort. In other words, the invention provides a breast prosthesis with increased stability and improved ventilation, which does not result in any significant weight gain and reliably prevents undesirable deformation of the prosthesis, for example, when worn in a bra.

[0012] In a rear view of the shell-shaped body, the ribs extend vertically parallel to each other or in a star-shaped pattern from an interior point of the shell-shaped body towards its outer edges. In particular, the star-shaped ribs can extend outwards from a lowest point of the shell-shaped body on the concave rear side.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the shell-shaped body can be formed in one piece. It can be cast or cut from a block of material. In particular, the shell-shaped body can be made of an elastic thermoplastic, rubber, natural rubber, or silicone rubber.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ribs can also include additional material for weighting, for example granules, which can further increase their stability.

[0015] In another embodiment, a multitude of nubs can be arranged on one side of the ribs facing the wearer's body. This can further improve skin ventilation and also stimulate lymphatic drainage in the subcutaneous tissue.

[0016] The one or more circumferential bands run essentially parallel to an outer contour of the shell-shaped body when viewed from the rear. In particular, each band forms an undercut with the concave rear surface of the shell-shaped body and can thus also be described as an undercut (inner) edge of the rear surface of the shell-shaped body. The one or more bands can be formed, for example, by welding a suitably shaped elastic thermoplastic material onto a circumference of the concave rear surface. However, it is also possible for the shell-shaped body and the one or more bands to be manufactured as a single piece.

[0017] According to one embodiment, one or more circumferential bands can extend from the concave rear of the shell-shaped body into its interior. In other words, the circumferential band(s) can have a predetermined width that projects into the interior of the shell-shaped body.

[0018] In another embodiment, a first circumferential band can be attached to the outer edges of the shell-shaped body, and a second circumferential band can be arranged on an inner circumference of the concave rear surface of the shell-shaped body. In other words, the first circumferential band can be attached adjacent to a bearing surface of the breast prosthesis to provide increased stability there. The second circumferential band, on the other hand, can be attached further inside the shell-shaped body, at a distance from the bearing surface.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a first cavity can be formed in the interior of the shell-shaped body between the first and second circumferential bands. The first and second bands form a kind of groove on the concave rear surface of the shell-shaped body via this cavity, which provides stiffening and counteracts deformation of the breast prosthesis under compressive force on the front. In another embodiment, a second cavity can be formed adjacent to the second circumferential band in the shell-shaped body, designed to hold a filling material. In other words, the filling material can be arranged in a front area of ​​the breast prosthesis, which is closed off or bounded by the second band at the rear (towards the wearer's body). In this way, the filling material can be stabilized by the second circumferential band.The second circumferential band can have a contour that conforms to a contour of the filling material.

[0020] The filling material can consist of a soft, elastic silicone rubber compound, which may be encased in a film, e.g., made of polyurethane. It is also possible that the filling material is applied without a film encasement within the shell-shaped body, particularly in the second cavity.

[0021] According to one embodiment, stiffening ribs extending vertically can be arranged in the filling material. These stiffening ribs in the filling material can, in particular, provide additional stabilization in the anterior region of the breast prosthesis.

[0022] In another embodiment, the shell-shaped body can have a triangular form in a front view and feature an upper extension, a left extension, and a right extension. Looking at the front of the breast prosthesis, the left-hand extension is the left extension, and correspondingly, the right-hand extension is the right extension. The upper extension is the one that points towards the wearer's shoulder when the breast prosthesis is worn. The left lateral edge can extend from the upper extension to the left extension, while the right lateral edge can extend from the upper extension to the right extension. Due to the symmetry of the breast prosthesis, the two lateral extensions can be mirror images of each other in shape and size.The outer edges of the shell-shaped body can include an upper outer edge at the upper extension, a left outer edge at the left extension, a right outer edge at the right extension, and a lower breast edge extending between the left extension and the right extension.

[0023] The left and right outer edges of the breast prosthesis can each have a concave shape. In other words, both the left and right outer edges can curve inwards. The lower edge of the breast can, in particular, form a lower outer edge of the cup-shaped body, and at least part of the lower edge can follow a circular arc. Similarly, part of the upper outer edge can follow a circular arc.

[0024] Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying figures, in which an exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0025] This shows

[0026] Figure 1a shows a front view of a first embodiment of the breast prosthesis according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 1b is a side view of the breast prosthesis shown in Figure 1a, Figure 1c is a longitudinal section of the breast prosthesis shown in Figure 1a along the axis of symmetry shown in Figure 1a,

[0028] Figure 2a shows a rear view of a second embodiment of the breast prosthesis according to the invention, and

[0029] Figure 2b shows a side view of the breast prosthesis shown in Figure 2a. Figure 1a shows a front view of an embodiment of the breast prosthesis 1 according to the invention, which comprises a shell-shaped body 2 having a convex front surface 3 and a concave back surface 4. In this embodiment, the shell-shaped body 2 can be made of an elastic thermoplastic. However, it is also possible for the shell-shaped body 2 to be made of rubber, natural rubber, or silicone rubber.

[0030] The breast prosthesis 1, or rather its cup-shaped body 2, shown in the front view in Figure 1a, has a triangular shape with an upper extension 5 and two lateral extensions 6a, 6b. The upper extension 5 comprises an upper outer rim 9 with an at least partially curved shape. The left extension 6a and the right extension 6b each comprise an outer rim 7a, 7b with a concave shape, which connects the upper outer rim 9 to a lower breast rim 8, forming a lower outer rim of the cup-shaped body 2. The lower breast rim 8 also has an at least partially curved shape and extends between the left extension 6a and the right extension 6b.

[0031] A plane of symmetry SE runs centrally and vertically through the shell-shaped body 2 of the breast prosthesis 1.

[0032] Furthermore, Figure 1a shows a first circumferential band 4a and a second circumferential band 2b, which are attached as supporting reinforcements to the concave rear surface 4 of the shell-shaped body 2. The first and second circumferential bands 4b and 2b are explained in more detail in conjunction with Figures 1b and 1c.

[0033] Figure 1b schematically shows a side view and Figure 1c schematically shows a longitudinal section along the SE axis of symmetry of the breast prosthesis 1 depicted in Figure 1a. In Figures 1b and 1c, the convex front surface 3 and the concave back surface 4 of the shell-shaped body 2 of the breast prosthesis 1 are particularly visible. The first circumferential band 4b is attached to the concave back surface 4 adjacent to the outer edges 7a, 7b, 8, 9 of the shell-shaped body 2 and can be connected to it, for example, by welding the elastic thermoplastic material. The first circumferential band 4b forms an opening 4a whose center point lies on the axis of symmetry of the shell-shaped body 2 and whose shape is essentially parallel to its outer contour (see also Figure 1a).In particular, the first circumferential band 4b forms an undercut with a region 2a of the concave back side 4, which extends from the opening 4a to an outer end 2aa of the region 2a.

[0034] The second circumferential band 2b is arranged on a more inner circumference of the concave back surface 4 of the shell-shaped body 2 within the interior 10 of the shell-shaped body 2. Specifically, the second circumferential band 2b forms an undercut with a region 2c of the concave back surface 4 of the shell-shaped body 2. Analogous to the first band 4b, the second band 2b can also be formed, for example, by welding a suitably shaped elastic thermoplastic material onto a circumference of the concave back surface 4. However, it is also possible that the first and second bands 4b, 2b, and the shell-shaped body 2 are formed in one piece.

[0035] Between the first and second bands 4a, 2a, a first cavity 10a is arranged in the interior 10, forming a kind of groove on the concave back surface 4 of the cup-shaped body 4. This stiffens the cup-shaped body 2, thus preventing undesirable deformation, in particular flattening of the elastic breast prosthesis under pressure, e.g., in a bra. The first circumferential band 4b is inclined forward (towards the interior 10) in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1c, so that the cup-shaped body 2 rests on the wearer's body only on its outer edges 7a, 7b, 8, 9. This allows for good ventilation of the underlying skin and provides space for remaining breast tissue.

[0036] The second circumferential band 2b is inclined backwards (towards the opening 4a) in the sectional view shown in Figure 1c and delineates a second cavity 10b in which a filling material (not shown) can be arranged. The second circumferential band 2b can have a contour that conforms to a contour of the filling material, thus stabilizing it within the second cavity 10b. The filling material can comprise a soft, elastic silicone rubber compound, and stiffening ribs extending vertically (not shown) can be arranged within the filling material. The filling material can be encased in a film, e.g., made of polyurethane. However, it is also possible for the filling material to be installed without a film encasement within the shell-shaped body 2, particularly within the second cavity 10b.

[0037] Figure 2a shows a rear view of a second embodiment of the breast prosthesis 1 according to the invention and Figure 2b shows a side view of the breast prosthesis 1 shown in Figure 2a.

[0038] Analogous to the embodiment shown in Figures 1a to 1c, the present breast prosthesis 1 comprises a shell-shaped body 2 having a convex front surface 3 and a concave back surface 4. In this embodiment, the shell-shaped body 2 can be made of natural rubber. However, it is equally possible for the shell-shaped body to be made of silicone rubber or an elastic thermoplastic.

[0039] The embodiment of the breast prosthesis 1 shown here, or rather its shell-shaped body 2, also has a triangular shape in the rear view shown in Figure 1a, with an upper extension 5 and two lateral extensions 6a, 6b, the outer edges 7a, 7b, 8, 9 of which are shaped according to the first embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the supporting reinforcements are designed as ribs 11, which extend vertically parallel to each other on the concave rear surface 2 of the shell-shaped body 2 in the rear view shown. The shell-shaped body 2 is made in one piece and can, in particular, be cast or cut from a foamed block of natural rubber. For further reinforcement, the ribs can contain weighting material, e.g., granules.On one side of the ribs, facing the wearer's body, a multitude of nubs (not shown) may also be arranged. This can further improve skin ventilation and also stimulate lymphatic drainage in the subcutaneous tissue.

[0040] Instead of the vertically extending ribs shown, these can also radiate outwards from a point on the concave rear surface 4 of the shell-shaped body 2 to its outer edges 7a, 7b, 8, 9. For example, the star-shaped ribs can extend outwards from a lowest point of the shell-shaped body 2 on the concave rear surface 4. In this way, the supporting reinforcements can cover an entire area of ​​the concave rear surface 4.

[0041] Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 breast prosthesis

[0043] 2 Cup-shaped body of the breast prosthesis (1)

[0044] 2a Area of ​​the concave back (4) of the shell-shaped body (2) 2b Second circumferential band

[0045] 2c Area of ​​the concave back (4) of the cup-shaped body (2) 3 Convex front of the cup-shaped body (2) 4 Concave back of the cup-shaped body (2) 4a Opening

[0046] 4b First circumferential band

[0047] 5 Upper extension

[0048] 6a Left extension

[0049] 6b Right extension

[0050] 7a Left outer edge

[0051] 7b Right outer edge

[0052] 9 Upper outer edge

[0053] 8 Lower breast

[0054] 11 ribs

[0055] SE axis of symmetry

Claims

Claims 1. Breast prosthesis (1) comprising a cup-shaped body (2) having a convex front (3) and a concave back (4) adjoining the front, wherein the cup-shaped body (2) has a triangular shape in a front view and has an upper extension (5), a left extension (6a) and a right extension (6b), and wherein one or more supporting reinforcements are arranged on the concave back (4) which are designed as one or more circumferential bands (4b, 2b) which, in a rear view of the shell-shaped body (2), run substantially parallel to an outer contour of the shell-shaped body (2), and / or are designed as ribs (11) which extend in a rear view of the shell-shaped body (2) in a vertical direction parallel to each other or in a star shape from an interior (10) of the shell-shaped body (2) towards its outer edges (7a, 7b, 8, 9), the ribs (11) comprising material for weighting.

2. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shell-shaped body (2) is formed in one piece, in particular cast or cut from a block of material.

3. Breast prosthesis (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of nubs are arranged on one side of the ribs (11) which faces the body of a wearer.

4. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more circumferential bands (4b, 2b) extend from the concave rear side (4) of the cup-shaped body (2) into its interior (10).

5. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 4, wherein a first circumferential band (4b) adjoins the outer edges (7a, 7b, 8, 9) of the cup-shaped body (2), and a second circumferential band (2b) is arranged on an inner circumference of the concave rear side (4) of the cup-shaped body (2).

6. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 5, wherein a first cavity (10a) is formed in the interior (10) of the shell-shaped body (2) between the first and the second circumferential band (4b, 2b).

7. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a second cavity (10b) is formed adjacent to the second circumferential band (2b) in the shell-shaped body (2), which is designed to receive a filling mass.

8. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 7, wherein the filling material comprises a soft elastic silicone rubber material.

9. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein stiffening ribs are arranged in the filling material which extend in a vertical direction.

10. Breast prosthesis (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer edges (7a, 7b, 8, 9) of the shell-shaped body comprise an upper outer edge (9) at the upper extension (5), a left outer edge (7a) at the left extension (6a), a right outer edge (7b) at the right extension (6b) and an underbreast edge (8).

11. Breast prosthesis (1) according to claim 12, at least a part of the course of the upper outer edge (9) and at least a part of the course of the lower breast edge (8) corresponds to a circular arc.

12. Breast prosthesis (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell-shaped body (2) is made of an elastic thermoplastic, rubber, natural rubber or silicone rubber.

13. Use of elastic thermoplastic or natural rubber as a material for a breast prosthesis.

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