Tissue Expander Shell Curved Ridges Uniform Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue expanders lack a design that ensures uniform expansion and contraction while minimizing wrinkling and force distribution issues, which can lead to suboptimal tissue growth and implantation outcomes in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tissue expander with a flexible shell featuring a topography of curved ridges and channels that distribute force evenly, allowing for uniform expansion and contraction, and a method of manufacturing using a textured mold to create the desired surface features, utilizing biocompatible materials like silicone and polyurethane for elasticity and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a smooth shell surface is used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the expansion is uneven and wrinkling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The shell surface is designed with localized ridges and valleys that create different surface properties in different regions. These localized topographic features guide the expansion pattern to achieve uniform overall expansion while preventing wrinkling in specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell incorporates curved ridges and rounded topographic features rather than flat or sharp surfaces. This curvature distribution helps evenly distribute expansion forces and prevents stress concentration that would cause wrinkling.
2Device complexity
If force is concentrated at specific points, then the structure is simpler, but tissue growth becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The force distribution is segmented into multiple zones created by the ridge patterns. Instead of a single concentrated force point, the ridges divide the expansion force into multiple distributed contact zones with the tissue, ensuring uniform growth stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface topography parameters (ridge height, spacing, and curvature) are optimized to change the force distribution characteristics. This allows the same basic shell structure to achieve uniform force distribution across the entire tissue interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shell material is highly elastic, then expansion capability is improved, but shape maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The curved ridge patterns and rounded topographic features provide geometric constraints that guide the elastic deformation. This allows the highly elastic material to expand while maintaining a controlled spherical or dome shape rather than deforming irregularly.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-shell structure with integrated topographic features allows the shell to flex and expand elastically while the ridge patterns act as structural guides that maintain overall shape integrity during expansion cycles.
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 design promotes even tissue expansion, minimizes wrinkling, and maintains the shape of the expander, facilitating effective tissue growth and easier implantation by distributing forces radially, thus enhancing the success of medical procedures such as breast reconstruction.
Implementation Method 1
A tissue expander with a flexible shell featuring a topography of curved ridges and channels that distribute force evenly, allowing for uniform expansion and contraction
Implementation Method 2
utilizing biocompatible materials like silicone and polyurethane for elasticity and durability
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue expanders and methods of their manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A tissue expander shell according to the present disclosure may include a shape and topography that facilitates uniform or substantially uniform expansion and contraction of the tissue expander. In at least one example, the shell may include a series of topographical features, such as ridges, grooves, channels, valleys, canals, protrusions, pleats, creases, or folds. In some embodiments, these features may have a curved or wavy cross sectional profile. For example, the shell may include a series of concentric curved ridges.