Inflatable Brassiere for Breast Stabilization in Radiotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast immobilization and positioning devices for radiotherapy are inadequate in stabilizing breast tissue for accurate treatment and diagnostic assessments while minimizing radiation exposure to the contra-lateral breast and avoiding undesirable compression or wrinkling.
Innovation Solution
A brassiere with inflatable bladders positioned to lift and stabilize the breast away from the chest wall, using a pre-formed shape that conforms to the breast curvature, with secondary components to move the contra-lateral breast out of the radiation beam, reducing radiation exposure and ensuring accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If basic tangential radiotherapy beams are used, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates leading to dosimetric consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The brassiere is fitted and calibrated before radiotherapy treatment to establish precise breast positioning and orientation. The inframammary fold markers and breast cup positioning are set up in advance to ensure accurate alignment during treatment, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments during beam delivery.
2Measurement precision
If permanent tattoos and laser alignment systems are used, then patient alignment is attempted, but accuracy deteriorates and patient concern increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brassiere acts as an intermediary device that mechanically positions and stabilizes the breast without requiring permanent skin markings or complex laser alignment systems. The garment's structured cups and inframammary fold markers provide physical reference points that simplify alignment while reducing patient concern about permanent tattoos.
3Ease of operation
If breast overhang is present, then patient comfort is maintained, but skin dose increases in the lower breast and chest wall
Solution Approach 1:
The brassiere provides dynamic support to the breast tissue, maintaining comfortable positioning while preventing inferior overhang that would increase skin dose. The structured cups and support materials adapt to breast shape and weight, providing continuous stabilization to reduce radiation exposure to the lower breast and chest wall during treatment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If vDIBH techniques are used, then heart dose is reduced, but patient movement increases and additional radiation exposure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The brassiere is calibrated and positioned before treatment to establish stable breast positioning that maintains heart avoidance throughout the treatment session. By pre-positioning the breast in the correct orientation and depth, the need for additional imaging to verify heart position is reduced, minimizing additional radiation exposure while maintaining positioning accuracy.
5Measurement precision
If IGRT is used, then field placement accuracy is confirmed, but patient radiation dose increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brassiere is calibrated during a setup session to establish accurate breast positioning and orientation before treatment. The inframammary fold markers and cup positioning are set in advance, allowing treatment to proceed without requiring additional kilovoltage imaging during each session, thereby reducing cumulative patient radiation dose while maintaining field placement accuracy.
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 brassiere effectively stabilizes breast tissue for precise radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging, reducing radiation dosage to high-risk organs like the heart and lung, while maintaining comfort and modesty, and allowing for repeatable positioning during sessions.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable main bladder positioned respectively behind the cover layer at each cup... the main bladder having an inlet port to allow an inflation fluid to be introduced into the main bladder to lift the breast against gravity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a brassiere having breast cups configured with inflatable bladders specifically positioned and configured to manipulate the breast tissue of a target breast into a lifted position whilst simultaneously displacing laterally sideways/outward and downward a contra-lateral breast. The brassiere is configured to lift the target breast away from the chest wall and to stabilise the breast so as to increase treatment accuracy and reduce radiation dosage to high risk organs such as the heart and lung. The brassiere according to the subject invention is advantageous to be worn by women for the treatment of either the left or right breast whilst providing modesty during treatment delivery.