Tissue Expander Attachment Flap for Pectoral Muscle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mammary tissue expanders often require the use of a surgical mesh or Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) to secure the pectoralis major muscle during expansion, which can detach and cause 'window shading,' leading to visible defects, discomfort, and the need for additional surgery.
Innovation Solution
A mammary tissue expander with an inflatable silicone shell and a substantially flat attachment flap made of mesh material, extending beyond the inferior edge, which can be wrapped around the shell to secure the muscle without the need for additional mesh or ADM, using fixation tabs and apertures for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surgical mesh or ADM is used to secure the pectoralis major muscle during expansion, then the muscle can be held in place, but the mesh or ADM may detach early causing window shading and visible defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment flap and the muscle-securing function into a single integrated structure. The attachment flap is formed as part of the expander device itself, eliminating the need for separate mesh or ADM materials. This merging ensures that the muscle attachment is directly integrated with the expander, preventing detachment and window shading while maintaining reliable muscle positioning during expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment flap acts as an intermediary element between the expander and the pectoralis major muscle. It provides a dedicated interface that secures the muscle to the expander device, ensuring stable attachment without requiring additional mesh or ADM materials. The flap's design allows it to mediate the connection effectively, preventing muscle retraction and window shading.
2Reliability
If mesh or ADM is used to secure the muscle, then attachment is achieved, but additional materials and surgical steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the muscle attachment function directly into the expander device by forming the attachment flap as an integral part of the device. This eliminates the need for separate mesh or ADM materials, reducing the number of components and surgical steps while maintaining reliable muscle attachment throughout the expansion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment flap serves multiple functions: it secures the pectoralis major muscle to the expander, prevents muscle retraction, and eliminates the need for additional mesh or ADM materials. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while ensuring reliable muscle attachment.
3Reliability
If the attachment flap extends sufficiently to wrap around the inferior edge and overlay the anterior side, then secure muscle attachment is achieved, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment flap is pre-configured with sufficient extension distance (D ≥ 8 cm) to allow it to wrap around the inferior edge and overlay the anterior side of the expander. This preliminary design ensures that the flap has adequate length to achieve secure muscle attachment without requiring additional surgical intervention or adjustment during the procedure.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A mammary tissue expander device including an inflatable shell (110) having an anterior side (104) and a posterior side (102), the anterior side having an upper pole portion (106) and a lower pole portion (108) meeting at an apex (109), and an injection port (112) for receiving fluid therethrough to inflate the expander, and a substantially flat attachment flap (116) coupled to the posterior side of the shell, and extending in an inferior direction beyond an inferior edge (128) of the shell by a distance D such that the attachment flap may be extended around the inferior edge and upwards to overlay at least a portion of the anterior side of the shell.