Breast Implant Shape Adjustment via Displaceable Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast implant systems lack the ability for easy and non-invasive adjustment of shape and size post-implantation, often requiring medical intervention or surgery to change the size and shape, which is inconvenient and limited in options.
Innovation Solution
A breast implant system comprising at least two elements with a flexible outer wall, where one element is displaceable relative to the other within a casing to change the shape, and an intermediate reservoir for fluid exchange between elements to alter volume, allowing manual manipulation from outside the body without medical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a breast implant uses a fixed structure with no internal mobility, then the implant maintains stable shape and position, but the patient cannot adjust the size and shape after implantation without major surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The breast implant is divided into multiple separable elements (first element and second element) that can move independently relative to each other within the implant cavity. This segmentation allows the elements to be repositioned to create different breast shapes while maintaining overall structural integrity through the flexible outer wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates a flexible outer wall that allows dynamic movement and repositioning of internal elements. This dynamic structure enables the implant to change shape and configuration after implantation, providing adaptability without requiring rigid fixed structures.
2Ease of operation
If a breast implant uses a valve system for fluid injection to change size, then the implant can be adjusted after implantation, but the valve permanently penetrates the patient's skin requiring medical intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is completely removed from the implant system. Instead of using a valve that penetrates the skin, the patent employs a flexible outer wall that allows elements to move and adjust the implant shape and size without requiring any external access points or medical intervention for adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system is designed to be self-adjusting through the movement of internal elements within the flexible outer wall. The elements can reposition themselves to achieve desired shapes without requiring external control mechanisms, valves, or medical intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a breast implant uses multiple fluid chambers for shape control, then the implant can change shape, but a medical practitioner is needed to deliver and remove fluid from chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The implant uses a single flexible outer wall containing multiple elements that can move independently. The shape adjustment is achieved through the natural movement and repositioning of these elements within the flexible boundary, eliminating the need for external fluid injection or medical practitioner intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluid-filled flexible outer wall that allows internal elements to move freely. The fluid provides a medium for element movement and shape adjustment without requiring complex chamber systems or external fluid delivery mechanisms.
4Strength
If a breast implant uses a rigid outer shell for structural support, then the implant maintains stable shape, but the implant cannot be manually manipulated to change shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible outer wall instead of a rigid shell. This flexible boundary provides structural containment while allowing internal elements to move and reposition freely, enabling manual manipulation for shape change while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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 easy and non-invasive adjustment of breast implant shape and size by relocating elements and exchanging fluid, providing a range of shapes and sizes without the need for surgery, maintaining the shape over time with minimal surface friction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the outer wall of the first element (1) and the outer wall of the casing is flexible
Implementation Method 2
further comprising at least one reservoir (7) in fluid connection with both the first element and the second element, such that fluid can be exchanged between the reservoir and the first and second elements
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A breast implant system comprises at least one first element (1) and at least one second element (2) for implantation in the patient's body so as to form part of a breast implant (10). The first element is displaceable relative to the second element, when implanted in the patient's breast, so as to change the outer shape of the breast implant. Preferably, the elements are contained in a casing (12, 13) with a flexible outer shape. More preferably, a reservoir (R) comprising a lubricating fluid is connected to the casing so as to allow lubricating fluid to be supplied to, and removed from, the casing, in order to reduce surface friction between adjacent elements, and/or between the casing and the elements, before the shape of the breast implant is changed by relative displacement of the first and second elements.