Chest Wall Adapter for Irregular Anatomies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bra technologies and post-operative breast implant position manipulation solutions fail to effectively support irregular chest wall shapes, leading to discomfort and inadequate support for many users, particularly those with conditions like pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, and asymmetry, due to mass-produced underwires that cannot hug unique rib and breast bone anatomies.
Innovation Solution
A chest wall adapter device with anatomically-shaped sections, shelves, and stabilization prongs that follow the contours of the inframammary fold, providing customizable pressure to support breasts and prevent implant settling, using 3D rendering and printing to create a personalized fit for each user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mass-produced underwires are used, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but adaptability to different chest wall shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by offering multiple predetermined sizes and configurations of underwires that can be selected to match different chest wall shapes. This allows the same manufacturing process to produce varied parameters (size, shape) to accommodate individual anatomical differences, resolving the contradiction between mass production efficiency and adaptability to unique anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including adjustable back straps and removable/exchangeable underwires. This allows the bra to adapt to different chest wall shapes after manufacture, maintaining ease of production while providing customization through user-adjustable parameters.
2Force
If tight back strap is used, then support force is improved, but comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the back strap to apply pressure specifically to the lower back area rather than distributing it across the shoulders. This localized pressure application provides effective breast support while avoiding discomfort on sensitive areas, resolving the contradiction between support force and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The back strap acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers the support force from the bra structure to the user's body. By using the back strap as the primary load-bearing element rather than shoulder straps, the system achieves effective support while improving comfort through proper force distribution.
3Force
If underwire is positioned to support breasts, then support effectiveness is improved, but discomfort increases for irregular chest shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by providing multiple underwire configurations and sizes that can be selected to match different chest wall anatomies. This ensures the underwire can be positioned effectively for support while accommodating irregular chest shapes, resolving the contradiction between support effectiveness and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bra into modular components including removable underwires and adjustable elements. This allows the underwire portion to be specifically tailored or replaced to fit irregular chest shapes, maintaining effective support positioning while eliminating discomfort from poor fit.
Data Source
AI summary
A chest wall adapter apparatus for supporting a user's breasts includes a right section and a left section, wherein the right section and the left section are contiguous on a front side of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes an inwardly extending convex portion located between the right section and the left section, wherein the inwardly extending convex portion is configured to lie against the chest wall of the user between the breasts; a horizontally extending and upwardly angled right shelf configured to extend along the right section and follow a contour along an underside of a right breast of the user; and a horizontally extending and upwardly angled left shelf configured to extend along the left section and follow a contour along an underside of the left breast of the user.