Multi-chambered Breast Tissue Expander with Independent Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue expanders have limited size options and often experience unwanted migration due to their generic sizing and anatomical incompatibility with breast tissue, as they are designed for different mechanical properties than blood vessels or plaque.
Innovation Solution
A tissue expansion device with multiple lobes made of non-compliant materials, each with independent fluid chambers and valves for controlled inflation and deflation, allowing for customizable expansion and secure attachment to prevent migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If generic sized tissue expanders are used, then manufacturing and inventory are simplified, but the size of the expanded pocket is limited and anatomical fit is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue expander is divided into multiple independent chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can be individually inflated or deflated. Each chamber can be controlled separately through independent valves, allowing customization of the expanded pocket size and shape to match various anatomical requirements while maintaining a single device structure for manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue expander incorporates dynamic control capabilities through inflation and deflation mechanisms. The expandability feature allows the device to adapt its volume and shape in real-time based on surgical needs and patient anatomy, transitioning from a static generic size to a dynamic customizable form factor.
2Device complexity
If traditional tissue expanders are used, then device structure is simple, but unwanted migration occurs laterally or inferiorly
Solution Approach 1:
The expander is segmented into multiple chambers that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows for asymmetric inflation patterns that can create anchoring effects and distribute pressure to prevent migration, while maintaining relative structural simplicity through the use of standard valve components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tissue expander can be inflated to different pressures or volumes through the independent chamber control system. This local quality adjustment allows specific areas to be emphasized for anchoring or expansion purposes, improving stability and preventing migration while adapting to local anatomical variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coronary balloons are used for breast tissue expansion, then plaque can be altered, but the device is not suitable due to size and geometric differences
Solution Approach 1:
The breast tissue expander uses multiple chambers that can be independently shaped and positioned, allowing the overall device to achieve a geometry suitable for breast anatomy rather than the cylindrical shape of coronary balloons. Each chamber can be inflated to create the appropriate volumetric distribution for breast reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The expander allows different regions to be inflated to different extents, creating a customized three-dimensional shape that matches breast tissue anatomy. This local control capability enables adaptation to the specific geometric requirements of breast reconstruction, unlike the uniform cylindrical shape of coronary balloons.
4Volume of moving object
If breast air expanders are used, then large diameter expansion is achieved, but pressure requirements differ significantly from coronary applications
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the expansion into multiple chambers, the total inflation pressure can be distributed and controlled independently in each chamber. This allows for lower pressures to be applied over larger volumes through cumulative expansion, rather than requiring high pressure to achieve the same total volume in a single chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-chamber system with independent control allows for dynamic pressure management during inflation. Chambers can be inflated sequentially or simultaneously at different pressure levels, enabling gradual expansion that accommodates tissue elasticity and reduces peak pressure requirements while achieving large overall expansion volume.
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 device provides customizable cavity expansion within breast tissue, ensuring a secure fit and preventing unwanted migration by allowing controlled expansion and deflation, accommodating varying anatomical properties.
Implementation Method 1
Each chamber includes at least one positively pressurized inflation element configured to inflate the corresponding lobe
Implementation Method 2
Each chamber includes a plurality of negatively pressurized deflation elements configured to deflate the corresponding lobe, the plurality of deflation elements including a second valve configured to open the plurality of deflation elements to receive, retain, and compress fluid from the corresponding lobe
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue expansion device with a plurality of lobes made from non-compliant material, each lobe defining a chamber therein. Each chamber is fluidly isolated from every other chamber in the plurality of lobes. Each chamber has an inflation element with a valve to release a pressurized fluid to inflate the lobe to expand a cavity, and a deflation element with a valve to deflate the lobe by compressing the fluid.