Breast Prosthesis with Removable Silicone Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast prostheses fail to accurately adapt to the changing size of the remaining breast during the regeneration phase after surgical removal and do not provide adequate hygiene or natural touch and movement properties.
Innovation Solution
A breast prosthesis with a silicone shell and a support shell surrounded by a fabric cover, allowing for adjustable filler material to accommodate changing breast size, with the silicone shell being removable for hygiene and providing a natural appearance and feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a prosthesis with integrated fabric part and plastic body is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fabric part cannot be removed for washing which is disadvantageous from hygienic aspects
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into separate components: a removable silicone shell and a support shell with fabric cover. This segmentation allows the silicone shell to be easily removed for washing, solving the hygiene problem while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicone shell is extracted as a separate removable component from the support shell. This extraction enables the silicone shell to be taken out for washing, directly addressing the hygienic disadvantage of integrated designs while preserving the structural integrity of the overall prosthesis.
2Device complexity
If a prosthesis with fixed volume is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to changing breast size during regeneration phase
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis incorporates adjustable filling chambers that allow the volume to be dynamically changed during the regeneration phase. This dynamic adaptability enables the prosthesis to accommodate changing breast size while maintaining relatively simple structure through the use of expandable or adjustable filling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis allows changes in the volume parameter through adjustable filling chambers. By modifying the amount of filler material or the expandability of the chambers, the prosthesis can adapt to different breast sizes during regeneration without requiring complex structural changes.
3Weight of moving object
If a prosthesis with support shell and filler material is used, then the weight is reduced, but the natural touch and movement properties are not reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis uses composite materials combining silicone shell with support shell and filler material. This composite structure achieves weight reduction through the support shell while the silicone shell provides natural touch and movement properties, resolving the contradiction between lightness and natural appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicone shell is positioned specifically at the front side where natural appearance and touch properties are most important. This local placement ensures that the critical aesthetic and tactile qualities are maintained in the visible and contact areas, while the support shell provides weight reduction in the overall structure.
4Device complexity
If a prosthesis without removable shell is used, then the structure is simple and integrated, but washing is difficult and hygienic aspects are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The silicone shell is segmented as a separate removable component from the support shell. This segmentation makes the silicone shell easily removable for washing, directly improving ease of operation while the modular design actually simplifies the overall structure compared to integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The silicone shell is extracted as a removable component, enabling easy removal for washing. This extraction directly addresses the ease of washing problem while the modular architecture simplifies the overall device structure and improves maintainability.
Data Source
AI summary
A breast prosthesis is provided having a support shell which is accommodated in a fabric cover, wherein one or more filling chambers for accommodating a filler material is/are located at the rear side of the breast prosthesis, wherein the breast prosthesis has a silicone shell which is arranged in front of the support shell and which is accommodated in the fabric cover in removable manner.