Tissue Expander Port Assembly With Decoupled Magnet Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tissue expanders used in breast reconstruction contain significant amounts of metal, which interfere with radiation therapy and MRI procedures due to magnetic field interference and dose calculation issues, and there is a need for easier port identification and reduced metal content to optimize surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

Decoupling magnets from fluid delivery and aspiration ports, using non-metallic materials like PEEK for ports, and incorporating smaller, less powerful magnets that are positioned closer to the tissue expander surface, allowing for larger needle sizes and improved port locator systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If large amounts of metal and strong magnets are used in tissue expanders for port location, then port detection is facilitated, but radiation therapy and MRI procedures are interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport detectionVSAvoidradiation therapy interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the magnet from the port structure, placing the magnet in a dedicated magnet housing assembly rather than integrating it directly with the port. This segmentation allows the magnet to be positioned optimally for detection while minimizing its interference with radiation therapy and MRI procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet housing assembly as an intermediary structure that contains the magnet and provides a defined spatial relationship between the magnet and the port. This intermediary allows the magnet to serve its detection function while being isolated from direct interference with medical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If strong magnets are used for port location, then port detection is improved, but magnet size and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport detectionVSAvoidmagnet mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the magnet by using multiple smaller magnets instead of one large magnet, and by optimizing the magnetic field strength to achieve sufficient detection capability with reduced mass. The magnet housing assembly also allows for precise positioning to maximize detection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If magnets are co-located with ports, then port detection is simplified, but internal port depth is reduced limiting delivery apparatus size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport detectionVSAvoidinternal port depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the port location system by placing the magnet in a separate magnet housing assembly rather than co-locating it with the port. This allows the port to extend deeper internally while the magnet remains positioned for optimal detection, enabling the use of larger delivery apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If metal ports are used for fluid delivery, then structural strength is maintained, but metal content increases causing interference with radiation therapy and MRI

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveport structural strengthVSAvoidradiation therapy interference

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction for the port assembly, combining metallic components (for strength and magnet housing) with non-metallic components (for port structure and fluid delivery). This composite approach maintains structural integrity while reducing overall metal content that would interfere with radiation therapy and MRI procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables patients to undergo radiation therapy and MRI without removing the tissue expander, facilitates faster fluid delivery and extraction, and reduces metal interference, enhancing surgical efficiency and patient comfort.

Implementation Method 1

the decoupled magnet or magnets attract the port locator to sit flush against biological tissue within which the tissue expander has been embedded and thereby cause at least two apertures of the port locator to align with the ports of the tissue expander

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS12508096B2Systems and methods for tissue expansion

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 TIGER AESTHETICS MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

A tissue expander comprising: a port assembly including a drain port and a fill port, a magnet housing assembly fitted to the port assembly, the magnet housing assembly including a single magnet having a magnetic field that is detectable on an exterior surface of a biological tissue of a patient; a shell defining the interior cavity of the tissue expander; and a drain assembly in fluidic communication with the drain port via the drain tubing.