Breast Implant Opaque Marking for Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast implants tend to rotate or flip after mastectomy due to the absence of breast tissue, making it difficult for women to detect malposition without sensation, as nerves are cut during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A breast implant with an outer shell made of polymer and a filler material, featuring opaque markings on its surface that are visible through the skin when illuminated, allowing for detection of displacement using a light emitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If breast implant is placed without position markers, then the implant structure remains simple, but it becomes difficult to detect when the implant rotates or flips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies opaque markings (color/visual contrast changes) on the outer shell of the breast implant to enable detection of implant rotation or flipping. These markings create visual contrast that allows users to identify malposition when light shines through the implant, resolving the contradiction by adding detectable features without significantly complicating the overall implant structure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple opaque markings are added to the outer shell, then the precision of detecting implant displacement improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple opaque markings are placed at specific locations on the outer shell to provide precise directional information about implant orientation. The markings create distinct visual patterns that enable accurate detection of rotation or flipping, with the manufacturing complexity remaining manageable through standard marking techniques.
3Illumination intensity
If the outer shell material is made more transparent, then the visibility of opaque markings improves, but the structural strength of the implant may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the transparency parameter of the outer shell material to balance two requirements: sufficient transparency to allow light transmission for marking visibility, and adequate strength to maintain implant integrity. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal middle ground in material selection.
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 users to determine if the implant is rotated or flipped by observing the location of the opaque markings, facilitating repositioning and maintaining the implant's correct orientation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one opaque marking is disposed on the outer shell... at least one opaque marking is visible through the chest skin when light from the light emitter is shining through the chest skin
Data Source
AI summary
A breast implant includes an outer shell made of a polymer and a filler material disposed within the outer shell. At least one opaque marking is disposed on the outer shell. The opaque marker is visible through the skin when a light emitter emits light through the chest tissue. This allows a user to determine if the breast implant is flipped or rotated based on the location of the opaque marker.