Breast Implant Mesh Structure for Tear Drop Shape Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast reconstruction methods using round smooth implants face challenges in maintaining a natural tear drop breast shape while ensuring adequate support and safety, as textured implants have been linked to health risks, necessitating the development of alternative support methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of a mesh device with zones of varying elastic properties, including auxetic and non-auxetic materials and patterns, to provide structural support and maintain the desired breast shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If textured implants are used to maintain breast shape and prevent rotation, then the breast shape stability is improved, but health safety deteriorates due to BII-ALCL risks
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is segmented into two separate components: a round smooth implant for safety and a separate mesh device for shape maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without the harmful associations of textured surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A mesh device acts as an intermediary between the round smooth implant and the surrounding tissue. This intermediary provides the necessary structural support and shape maintenance that would otherwise require textured implant surfaces, thereby eliminating the health risks while preserving the desired outcome.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If round smooth implants are used to ensure safety, then health safety is improved, but the ability to maintain natural tear drop breast shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh device incorporates zones with different elastic properties tailored to specific anatomical locations. High elasticity zones accommodate natural breast movement and tissue compliance, while low elasticity zones provide structural support for shape maintenance, creating local quality variations that optimize both safety and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh device is designed with asymmetric elastic properties distributed throughout its structure. This asymmetry allows the device to conform to and maintain the natural asymmetric tear drop breast shape while providing uniform safety benefits across the entire implant system.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform elastic mesh is used to support the implant, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to provide strategic compression and elasticity for natural shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh device incorporates zones with different elastic properties tailored to specific anatomical locations. High elasticity zones accommodate natural breast movement and tissue compliance, while low elasticity zones provide structural support for shape maintenance, creating local quality variations that optimize both safety and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the mesh device are varied across different zones to match the specific mechanical requirements of different breast regions. This parameter change allows the device to provide strategic compression and elasticity distribution, enabling natural tear drop shape formation while remaining manufacturable through established techniques.
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
The mesh device effectively supports the implant and underlying tissue, allowing for a natural breast shape while addressing safety concerns associated with textured implants.
Implementation Method 1
The mesh can include auxetic and non-auxetic zones and/or patterns
Implementation Method 2
zones of varying elastic properties, including auxetic and non-auxetic materials and patterns
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices and methods of making and use thereof.