A brace for retaining an organ in an expanded state configured to adhere and substantially conform to an external surface of the organ includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and at least one sheet of thin malleable material forming a middle layer between the inner layer and outer layer, the at least one sheet being enclosed and configured to rigidify and maintain the organ in an expanded state upon application of a vacuum. The brace can be incorporated into a brassiere.

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.

Absorbable implants for breast surgery that conform to the breast parenchyma and surrounding chest wall have been developed. These implants support newly lifted breast parenchyma, and/or a breast implant. The implants have mechanical properties sufficient to support a reconstructed breast, and allow the in-growth of tissue into the implant as it degrades. The implants have a strength retention profile allowing the support of the breast to be transitioned from the implant to regenerated host tissue, without significant loss of support. Three-dimensional implants for use in minimally invasive mastopexy/breast reconstruction procedures are also described, that confer shape to a patient's breast. These implants are self-reinforced, can be temporarily deformed, implanted in a suitably dissected tissue plane, and resume their preformed three-dimensional shape. The implants are preferably made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof. The implants have suture pullout strengths that can resist the mechanical loads exerted on the reconstructed breast.

A breast prosthesis comprises a resiliently-compliant silicone shell (1;11) which has an outer wall (2;12) configured to simulate the shape of a female breast. The wall (2;12) is fretted with an ornamental pattern of perforations (6;16) that vent the internal cavity (4;14) of the shell (1;11), and ribs (5;15) within the cavity (4;14) extend across it in resiliently supporting and retaining the breast-shape of the shell (1;11). The ribs (5;15) are interconnected with one another and are molded integrally with the outer wall (2;12). The shell (1:11) has a flat peripheral rim (3:13) to the cavity (4:14).

A breast prosthesis comprises a resiliently-compliant silicone shell (1;11) which has an outer wall (2;12) configured to simulate the shape of a female breast. The wall (2;12) is fretted with an ornamental pattern of perforations (6;16) that vent the internal cavity (4;14) of the shell (1;11), and ribs (5;15) within the cavity (4;14) extend across it in resiliently supporting and retaining the breast-shape of the shell (1;11). The ribs (5;15) are interconnected with one another and are molded integrally with the outer wall (2;12). The shell (1:11) has a flat peripheral rim (3:13) to the cavity (4:14).

A nipple implant system wherein a nipple prosthetic device is attached to a microdermal anchor without the need for invasive surgery. The microdermal anchor is inserted through a hole punched at a selected locus. The nipple prosthetic device is configured for attachment to the microdermal anchor. An areola may be tattooed around the locus or the nipple prosthetic device may include a skirt simulating an areola to make the construction complete.

A nipple implant system wherein a nipple prosthetic device is attached to a microdermal anchor without the need for invasive surgery. The microdermal anchor is inserted through a hole punched at a selected locus. The nipple prosthetic device is configured for attachment to the microdermal anchor. An areola may be tattooed around the locus or the nipple prosthetic device may include a skirt simulating an areola to make the construction complete.

The invention relates to a breast prosthesis having an adaptable volume, wherein the breast prosthesis has a first shell body, a second shell body peripherally connected thereto, and a fluid space that is arranged between the inner surfaces of the shell bodies and that is filled with a fluid for volume adaptation, and wherein a medium that reduces the adhesive tendency of the oppositely disposed inner surfaces of the shell bodies is located in the fluid space in addition to the fluid for the volume adaptation.

The invention relates to a breast prosthesis having an adaptable volume, wherein the breast prosthesis has a first shell body, a second shell body peripherally connected thereto, and a fluid space that is arranged between the inner surfaces of the shell bodies and that is filled with a fluid for volume adaptation, and wherein a medium that reduces the adhesive tendency of the oppositely disposed inner surfaces of the shell bodies is located in the fluid space in addition to the fluid for the volume adaptation.

The invention relates to a breast prosthesis having an adaptable volume, wherein the breast prosthesis has a first shell body, a second shell body peripherally connected thereto, and a fluid space arranged between the shell bodies, and wherein in accordance with the invention the breast prosthesis further comprises a valve tube that is composed of a flexible material and that reaches from the outside into the fluid space in the connection region between the shell bodies and projects beyond the connection region in the fluid space.