Radiation Treatment Bra Extender for Larger Back Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiation treatment bras may not accommodate patients with larger-than-nominal back sizes, leading to improper fit and potential inaccuracies in breast geometry alignment during radiation therapy.

Innovation Solution

A radiation treatment bra extender with a quadrilateral shape, compatible with the existing bra's hook-and-loop fastener system, is introduced to increase the bra's circumference, allowing for custom sizing by coupling between back panels and featuring indexing marks for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the RTB is available in multiple standard sizes, then it can accommodate a range of back sizes and cup sizes, but it still cannot properly fit patients with larger-than-nominal back sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize accommodation rangeVSAvoidfit accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The back panel is divided into two separate adjustable segments (first back panel and second back panel) that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows each panel to be adjusted to accommodate varying back widths, enabling proper fit for patients with larger-than-nominal back sizes while maintaining accurate breast geometry alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The back panels are made dynamically adjustable through the closure system, allowing the circumference of the RTB to be modified based on the patient's specific back size. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the RTB to transition from fixed standard sizes to a customizable fit, resolving the contradiction between size range and fit accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the RTB uses fixed standard sizes, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but patients with larger back sizes cannot achieve proper fit and alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestandardizationVSAvoidcustom fit precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the back panel into two adjustable sections with closure systems, the design maintains standardized manufacturing processes for each component while enabling precise customization of the overall circumference. Each back panel can be manufactured to standard specifications, but their combined adjustable length provides custom fit precision for larger back sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system serves multiple functions: it secures the back panels together, enables adjustment of the RTB circumference, and provides indexing features for alignment. This multi-functional element allows a single standardized component design to achieve both manufacturing simplicity and custom fit precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 extender enables a customizable fit for patients with larger back sizes, ensuring precise and reproducible breast geometry alignment, thereby improving the accuracy of radiation therapy.

Implementation Method 1

the RTB uses hook-and-loop fastener (Velcro®) as closures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook-and-loop fastener: Velcro

Data Source

PatentUS10660376B2Radiation bra extender

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 THOMPSON ELIZABETH CHABNER

AI summary

An extender for a radiation treatment bra extends the “circumference” of the RTB, enabling it to accommodate a relatively larger back size for a given sized RTB.