Perforated Silicone Breast Prosthesis with Integrated Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breast prostheses made of soft, fluid-like silicone gel encased in a thin plastic membrane are prone to leakage, are heavy and hot, and uncomfortable, especially during physical activity, due to their weight causing unsightly gaps and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A breast prosthesis with a perforated outer wall and integrally moulded ribs, made from a harder silicone compound, providing a fretted ornamental pattern and enhanced compliance to simulate natural breast movement, allowing for better pressure response and reduced weight, with an open structure that allows water penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a soft, fluid-like silicone gel is encased in a thin plastics membrane, then the prosthesis maintains a feminine shape, but the prosthesis becomes heavy and hot, causing discomfort during physical activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous foam material to replace the solid silicone gel filling. The porous structure reduces density and weight while maintaining the breast-shaped contour. The open-cell foam allows breathability and reduces heat retention, directly addressing the weight and thermal comfort issues while preserving the feminine shape through careful formulation of the foam's density and structural properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite construction combining a flexible outer membrane with an inner foam core. This composite material approach allows the outer layer to maintain shape and aesthetic appearance while the lighter foam interior reduces overall weight and improves comfort during physical activity, resolving the contradiction between shape maintenance and weight reduction.
2Shape
If a soft, fluid-like silicone gel is encased in a thin plastics membrane, then the prosthesis maintains a feminine shape, but the prosthesis is prone to leakage upon damage or puncture
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material inherently provides leakage resistance through its closed or semi-closed cell structure. Even if the outer membrane is punctured, the foam's cellular architecture prevents fluid-like leakage, as the gas-filled or liquid-filled cells do not flow freely. This maintains reliability while the outer membrane preserves the feminine shape aesthetic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of membrane puncture into a benefit by using foam material that does not leak upon puncture. Instead of creating a harmful leakage scenario, the foam's structure ensures that even if the membrane is damaged, no harmful fluid leakage occurs, transforming a vulnerability into a safety feature.
3Shape
If the prosthesis is made of a mass of gel, then it provides a smooth contour, but it causes unsightly gaps and discomfort due to weight pulling the bra forward
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material provides a smooth external contour through careful manufacturing and surface finishing, while its lightweight porous interior structure eliminates the weight-related comfort issues. The reduced density of foam compared to solid gel allows the prosthesis to remain in place during physical activity without pulling the bra forward, maintaining both aesthetic contour and comfort.
4Strength
If the outer wall is made solid to maintain shape, then structural integrity is maintained, but compliance and natural movement simulation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The porous foam material inherently provides compliance and adaptability through its cellular structure that can compress and deform under pressure, simulating natural breast movement. The outer membrane maintains structural integrity and shape definition, while the foam interior provides the necessary compliance, resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A breast prosthesis comprises a resiliently-compliant silicone shell (1;11) which has an outer wall (2;12) configured to simulate the shape of a female breast. The wall (2;12) is fretted with an ornamental pattern of perforations (6;16) that vent the internal cavity (4;14) of the shell (1;11), and ribs (5;15) within the cavity (4;14) extend across it in resiliently supporting and retaining the breast-shape of the shell (1;11). The ribs (5;15) are interconnected with one another and are moulded integrally with the outer wall (2;12). The shell (1:11) has a flat peripheral rim (3:13) to the cavity (4:14).