Breast Implant System With Interconnected Fluid Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast implant systems do not allow for easy adjustment of size and shape post-implantation, requiring major surgery for changes, and existing solutions have limited shape variation options and inconvenient access methods.
Innovation Solution
A breast implant system with interconnected fluid chambers that allow fluid exchange between implanted chambers to change the breast implant's shape and volume without external access, using a network of first, second, and optional third fluid chambers with non-stretchable and stretchable walls, and valves to manage pressure and fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-chamber breast implant is used, then the implant structure is simple, but the shape adjustment options are limited and require major surgery for changes
Solution Approach 1:
The breast implant is divided into multiple interconnected fluid chambers (first, second, and third chambers) that can independently store and release fluid. This segmentation allows different regions of the implant to be adjusted independently, providing versatile shape modification options while maintaining a manageable overall structure through modular design
2Ease of operation
If a valve is permanently connected to the breast implant, then fluid can be added or removed, but the valve must penetrate the patient's skin or require minor surgery for access
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is extracted from the implanted chambers and placed entirely outside the patient's body. The fluid connection between the external valve and the implanted chambers is established through a tunnel created during surgery, but the valve itself does not penetrate the skin. This allows fluid management operations while eliminating the need for permanent skin-penetrating components or subcutaneous valve implantation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid chambers are interconnected, then shape variation is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third fluid chamber is positioned within or adjacent to the first and second chambers, creating a nested configuration. This nesting arrangement allows multiple chambers to occupy compact space and share common structural support, reducing the overall system complexity while enabling independent fluid management in each chamber for versatile shape control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient, non-surgical adjustment of breast implant shape and volume by exchanging fluid between chambers, eliminating the need for external access and allowing for a variety of shape and volume changes while maintaining constant mass or varying both shape and volume independently.
Implementation Method 1
The first fluid chambers are interconnected with the second fluid chambers, such that fluid can be exchanged between the first and second fluid chambers
Implementation Method 2
The fluid chambers may be separated from one another by a non-stretchable wall, which can be flexible or rigid
Implementation Method 3
The exterior shell is typically a bellows having a plurality of pleats, so that the outer size of the implant is variable
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A breast implant system is provided comprising a plurality of chambers including one or more first fluid chambers (1) and one or more second fluid chambers (2). The first fluid chamber (1) forms part of a breast implant (10), whereas the second fluid chamber (2) may also form part of the breast implant or may be implanted remote from the breast implant. The first and second fluid chambers are interconnected so as to allow exchange of fluid between the first and second chambers, thereby causing the shape and, depending upon the specific embodiment, also the volume to change accordingly.