Soft-Filled Prosthesis Shell With Discrete Fixation Against Contracture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast implants suffer from capsular contracture, a complication where a fibrous capsule forms around the implant, making it spherical and aesthetically undesirable, despite advances in textured surface designs.
Innovation Solution
The implant features discrete fixation regions with enhanced texture on the exterior surface, aligned with muscle groups to encourage natural movement and tissue ingrowth, disrupting capsular tissue formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a textured surface is applied to the implant shell, then capsular contracture resistance is improved, but surface uniformity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The implant shell features discrete fixation regions with enhanced texture rather than uniform texturing across the entire surface. These localized textured areas provide capsular contracture resistance where needed while maintaining smoother surfaces in other regions, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and surface uniformity preservation.
2Reliability
If discrete fixation regions with enhanced texture are created, then tissue ingrowth is improved, but manufacturing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The implant surface is segmented into discrete fixation regions rather than applying texture uniformly. This segmentation allows tissue ingrowth to be enhanced in specific areas while simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating complex three-dimensional textures across the entire surface.
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 implant reduces the likelihood of capsular contracture by promoting natural movement and tissue integration, enhancing comfort and reducing wear, while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Implementation Method 1
configured, positioned or structured to provide enhanced or controlled tissue ingrowth or adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
A method of augmenting or reconstructing a breast of a patient includes providing an implantable member and implanting the implantable member. The implantable member includes an exterior surface defined by an anterior face and a posterior face, wherein one of the anterior face and the posterior face includes at least one fixation region defined by a texture, roughness or sheen different from a respective texture, roughness or sheen of a balance of said one of the anterior face and posterior face. The implantable member is implanted into a breast of a patient such that the fixation region of the implantable member generally aligns with the pectoralis major muscle group or the pectoralis minor muscle group.