A Biomimetic Approach for Designing a Full External Breast Prosthesis: Post-Mastectomy

• Main Authors: Pedro Cruz, F. Josue Hernandez, Ma. Lourdes Zuñiga, Jose Maria Rodríguez, Rafael Figueroa, Antonio Vertiz, Zaira Pineda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-03-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: breast cancer; biomimetic design; breast prosthesis
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/3/357

This work presents the design of a new breast prosthesis using the biomimetic technique for cases of complete mastectomy to address the problem of the increasing number of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Mexico who are candidates for a mastectomy. The designed prosthesis considers the morphology of a real breast regarding its internal structure to obtain authentic mobility and feel. In order to accomplish this, a model was obtained in 3D CAD using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) that can be scalable without losing its qualities, and which can be used in any type of patient; afterwards, a finite element model was developed and a static analysis performed with suggested load cases to evaluate the sensitivity and naturalness of the prosthesis; and finally, a modal analysis was conducted. The results obtained in displacements and in distribution of stress for the load cases assessed are consistent with those of a real breast: there were smooth contours and there was natural mobility in the prosthesis designed by means of the biomimetic technique.