Implants comprising a silicone foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a biocompatible, bio-durable material for implants that provides a soft tissue feel and reduced density, addressing issues with existing silicone-based implants that may not adequately manage acidity and density.

Innovation Solution

A dual-blowing silicone foam is developed using a crosslinkable silicone composition comprising organopolysiloxane, organosilicon compound, hydrosilylation catalyst, porogenic agent, chemical blowing agent, and linear polydimethylsiloxane, which creates a homogeneous and stable cellular structure with low density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional silicone-based materials are used for implants, then biocompatibility is achieved, but density is high and soft tissue feel is not adequately provided

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoiddensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a foam structure within the silicone elastomer matrix. The foam comprises closed cells with a density of 0.03 to 0.15 g/cm³, creating a lightweight porous network that reduces overall implant density while maintaining structural integrity and biocompatibility of the silicone base material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining silicone elastomer with foam structure. The implant comprises a silicone elastomer matrix (providing biocompatibility) containing dispersed foam cells (providing low density), achieving a synergistic composite that simultaneously delivers both required properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If foam structure is introduced to reduce density, then weight is reduced, but structural stability and shape maintenance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedensityVSAvoidshape maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a heterogeneous structure where dense silicone elastomer regions provide structural stability while localized foam regions provide weight reduction. The foam cells are distributed throughout the silicone matrix, with each region performing its specialized function - the silicone matrix maintains overall shape while the foam cells reduce density locally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Weight of moving object

If bicarbonate blowing agents are used to create foam, then density is reduced, but acidity management becomes a potential risk

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedensityVSAvoidacidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful acidity from bicarbonate decomposition into a beneficial process by using it to generate carbon dioxide bubbles that create the desired foam structure. The acidification reaction is controlled to occur during manufacturing, and the resulting foam structure provides the required density reduction while the acidity is managed as part of the controlled manufacturing process rather than a post-implantation hazard

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 silicone foam achieves a soft tissue feel while reducing density, making it suitable for implants, particularly breast implants, with improved ergonomic comfort and reduced material usage.

Implementation Method 1

a porogenic agent D which is water, hydrogel, or an aqueous silicone emulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bubble generation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a chemical blowing agent E... the chemical blowing agent E releases gas, typically carbon dioxide, by decomposition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

at least one hydrosilylation catalyst C... a blowable crosslinkable silicone composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrosilylation crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20260041814A1Implants comprising a silicone foam

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 ELKEM SILICONES USA CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to new implants, especially breast implants, which are bio-durable, biocompatible, which provide a soft tissue feel, and having a reduced density. Said implants comprise a shell and a filling enclosed by the shell, wherein the filling comprises a silicone foam obtained from a blowable crosslinkable silicone composition comprising an organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups bonded to silicon per molecule, an organosilicon compound having at least two and preferably at least three hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon per molecule, a hydrosilylation catalyst, at least one porogenic agent which is water, hydrogel, or an aqueous silicone emulsion, at least one chemical blowing agent, and a linear polydimethylsiloxane.