Lightweight breast implants: a novel solution for breast augmentation and reconstruction mammaplasty

Abstract

Breast augmentation and reconstruction mammaplasty have been in practice for decades and are highly prevalent surgeries performed worldwide. While overall patient satisfaction is high, common long-term effects include breast tissue atrophy, accelerated ptosis and inframammary fold breakdown. Increasing evidence attributes these events to the durative loading and compressive forces introduced by the breast implants. Mechanical challenges exceeding the elastic capacity of the breast tissue components, eventually lead to irreversible tissue stretching, directly proportional to the introduced mass. Thus, it is suggested that, contrary to long-standing dogmas, implant weight, rather than its volume, stands at the basis of future tissue compromise and deformation. A novel lightweight implant has been developed to address the drawbacks of traditional breast implants, which demonstrate equivalence between their size and weight. The B-Lite(®) breast implant (G&G Biotechnology Ltd., Haifa, Israel) design allows for a reduction in implant weight of up to 30%, while maintaining the size, form, and function of traditional breast implants. The CE-marked device can be effectively implanted using standard of care procedures and has been established safe for human use. Implantation of the B-Lite(®) breast implant is projected to significantly reduce the inherent strains imposed by standard implants, thereby conserving tissue stability and integrity over time. In summary, this novel, lightweight breast implant promises to reduce breast tissue compromise and deformation and subsequent reoperation, further improving patient safety and satisfaction.

© 2015 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Figures

Figure 1.

Hooke's law and breast tissue responses. The elastic tissue of the breast is symbolized by a spring with constant K. In a static, upright posture, the weight of an implant will displace the breast downwards with a force proportional to the weight of the implant, as described by the following formula: , where F is the force, m is the mass, and g is the standard gravity constant. The tissue's stretch is linear (within the elasticity limits of the tissue), and, therefore, tissue displacement will increase in direct correlation with implant weight. The displacement is described as , where is the displacement, F is the force applied, and K is the spring constant. A heavier implant will result in increased forces and consequential stretch of the breast, as compared with a lighter implant. Therefore, as can be seen in Figure 1, F1 < F2 and . Reprinted with permission from G&G Biotechnology Ltd., Haifa, Israel.

Figure 2.

Round and anatomical B-Lite® Lightweight Breast Implants (LWBIs). The current B-Lite® catalogue includes over 350 styles and sizes. Reprinted with permission from G&G Biotechnology Ltd., Haifa, Israel.

Figure 3.

Microsphere-enhanced silicone gel. Integration of silicone gel cross-linked to borosilicate microspheres yields a reinforced gel. The magnified segment shows the high cross-linking density at the surface of the microspheres, resulting in a microsphere-gel adhesion strength exceeding the gel's internal strength of cohesion. Even in the unlikely event of rupture, microspheres will remain bound within the gel and will not disperse. Reprinted with permission from G&G Biotechnology Ltd., Haifa, Israel.

Figure 4.

Preclinical test matrix. Extensive testing was performed by independent test laboratories under good laboratory practice conditions. Worst-case conditions were simulated for every test. The B-Lite® LWBI passed all the conducted tests successfully.