Breast Prosthesis with Porous Inner Layer for Scar Tissue Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast prostheses with plastically deformable layers can lead to heat build-up and skin reactions due to occlusive closure of scar tissue, compromising wearing comfort.
Innovation Solution
A breast prosthesis design featuring a rubber-elastic outer body and a plastically deformable inner body with a thixotropic mass, combined with a three-dimensional, plastically and/or elastically deformable textile structure that ensures ventilation by forming channels and knobs, allowing air exchange while adapting to scar tissue shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plastically deformable layer is provided on the inner surface of the prosthesis to adapt to scar tissue shape, then the adaptation to scar tissue is improved, but heat build-up and skin reactions occur due to occlusive sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The plastically deformable layer is designed with a porous structure containing channels that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface. This porous configuration enables the layer to adapt conformally to irregular scar tissue surfaces while simultaneously permitting air and fluid passage through the material, thereby preventing occlusive sealing and associated harmful effects such as heat build-up and skin reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis utilizes a composite structure combining a plastically deformable layer with elastomeric body portions. The plastically deformable layer conforms to scar tissue morphology, while the elastomeric portions provide structural support and additional deformation capacity. This composite approach enables both adaptive conformality and breathable performance, resolving the contradiction between shape adaptation and heat prevention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plastically deformable layer is made occlusive to seal scar tissue, then adaptation is improved, but wearing comfort deteriorates due to heat and perspiration
Solution Approach 1:
The plastically deformable layer incorporates a network of channels forming a porous structure that allows air circulation and perspiration evaporation. This porous design maintains conformal adaptation to scar tissue while preventing occlusive sealing, thereby preserving wearing comfort by reducing heat build-up and allowing breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional surface layer to a three-dimensional porous structure with channels extending through the material thickness. This dimensional transformation enables the layer to provide both conformal adaptation to scar tissue surfaces and internal ventilation pathways, simultaneously achieving adaptation and comfort.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a three-dimensional textile structure is added to ensure ventilation, then air exchange is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation channels are integrated directly into the plastically deformable layer itself, merging the adaptive function and ventilation function into a single unified component. This integration eliminates the need for separate ventilation structures or additional layers, thereby improving air exchange capability while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastically deformable layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adapts conformally to scar tissue surfaces, provides structural support, and enables ventilation through its porous channel structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving air exchange capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 design enhances wearing comfort by preventing heat build-up and skin reactions, ensuring effective air exchange and adaptation to irregular scar tissue without interrupting ventilation.
Implementation Method 1
The plastically deformable mass can be homogeneous or heterogeneous. It can exhibit thixotropic properties. The mass can be a shear-thinning mass with a yield point.
Implementation Method 2
the inner body consists of a plastically deformable mass enclosed in an inner chamber
Implementation Method 3
The outer body has a rubber-elastic mass enclosed in an outer chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a breast prosthesis comprising an elastically deformable outer member, the outer surface of which is shaped like the breast, and a plastically deformable inner member, the inner surface of which can adjust to the unevenness of the tissue. According to the invention, the inner surface of the inner member has a three-dimensional structure and is optionally provided with a fabric, said structure or fabric being designed to allow the tissue surface to breathe.