EP0540706A1

EP0540706A1 - Post-surgical mammary support

Info

Publication number: EP0540706A1
Application number: EP19920909789
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Gauthier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-22
Filing date: 1992-04-22
Publication date: 1993-05-12
Also published as: WO1992018073A1; FR2675373A1; FR2675373B1

Abstract

Soutien mammaire, notamment soutien post-opératoire comprenant deux bonnets réunis par une ceinture et des bretelles. Les bonnets (1) sont entourés sur toute leur périphérie par une ossature (6) compressive et élastique en forme de "huit", chaque bonnet (1) étant constitué de deux pièces superposées dont les directions d'élasticité sont opposées.Breast support, in particular post-operative support comprising two cups joined by a belt and suspenders. The cups (1) are surrounded over their entire periphery by a compressive and elastic frame (6) in the shape of an "eight", each cup (1) consisting of two superimposed pieces whose directions of elasticity are opposite.

Description

POST-OPERATIVE BREAST SUPPORT.

The present invention relates to breast support of the bra type intended in particular, but not exclusively for supporting the breasts after a surgical, carcinological, reconstruction or aesthetic operation.

The most common treatment for breast hypoplasia and breast resections is the internal prosthesis. These prostheses allow without mutilating sample to create a breast of volume and shape determined by the patient at the cost of a few discreet scars. However, an operated breast does not obtain its final shape until six months after this operation. On the other hand, the breasts are fragile because no specific ligament or tendon supports the mammary gland which is placed on the pectoral muscles and is only retained by thin skin. It is therefore necessary to have effective means to support the mammary glands, in particular after the implantation of an internal prosthesis.

FR-B-663 283 describes a bra, the cups of which are joined by a border in the shape of an "eight". This border which can be elastic is as small as possible in width so as to reduce the height of the bra between the two cups. The purpose of the bra thus produced is to be flexible, which goes against the aim sought in the present application.

US-A-4 324 254 describes a bra in which two crossed tension edges are provided between the breasts intended to oppose the movement of the bra during movements, lateral or upward, of the arms.

The bras currently available on the market do not allow uniform compression and effective at the level of the four quadrants of the breast; they do not have a suitable elasticity to ensure proper support and the internal seams are in contact with the skin and therefore in general with the scars which is not desirable.

The present invention relates to post-operative breast support making it possible to obtain a homogeneous compression thanks to a choice of controlled elastic fibers allowing multidirectional stretching at the level of the four quadrants of a breast, that is to say super-internal and external and infero-internal and external.

According to the invention, breast support, in particular post-operative support comprising cups connected to their lower part by a thoracic belt and, to their upper part to suspenders whose second end is integral with the rear part of the belt, the cups being surrounded by an "eight" border, is characterized in that the border constitutes a compressive and elastic framework, each cap consisting of an inner cap made of pure cotton and an outer cap superimposed formed by two knitted pieces, the elasticity directions are substantially perpendicular.

Thus, the breasts are maintained without risk of allergy which could come from the seams or the synthetic material used.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows of particular embodiments given by way of nonlimiting examples with reference to the figures which represent:

- Figure 1, a front view of the bra according to the invention viewed from the front and in plan; Figure 2, a diagram showing the mode of action in the case of scars of the first group;

FIG. 3, an identical diagram showing the mode of action of breast support in the case of scars of the second group;

Figure 4, a diagram showing the action of the assembled cap;

- Figure 5, a view of the stapling of the back;

- Figure 6, a sectional view along line VI-VI of FIG. 4 of the fabrics constituting the cups;

- Figure 7, an alternative embodiment in the case of ablation of the alveolar zone.

In the figures, the same references indicate the same elements.

As shown in Figure 1, the breast support consists of two cups 1, a belt 2 and two suspenders 3 as practically in the case of known suspenders bras. It also includes a closure 4, for example by stapling, making it possible to adjust the length of the belt 2, and elastic reinforcements 5.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the breast support also comprises a flexible frame or framework 6 which is generally in the shape of an "eight", each breast being housed in a loop of the "eight". This "eight" ensures the general maintenance of the breasts and the prosthesis in place which avoids dislocation or displacement. It is common practice to divide the breast into four quadrants designated by inner and outer and outer. The two loops of the "eight" cross at a point 7 which, when the support is in place, corresponds to the middle of the thorax so as to exert compression at the level of the quadrants as shown in FIG. 1 by small arrows a. A traction is exerted vertically by the adjustable straps 3 and horizontally by the belt or submammary band 2. Laterally, the support is exerted by the lateral elastic reinforcements 5. The two ends of the "eight" also exert a compression at the level of the quadrants external by the combination of pulls exerted vertically by the adjustable strap 3 and horizontally, by adjusting the elasticity of the back of the breast support and the lateral reinforcement and laterally by the elastic reinforcement 3 (arrows b). Thus, the breast is perfectly maintained in all directions.

The strap fastening ring on the upper part of the cups can be removed and replaced by a continuous band on which the frame 6 is sewn.

It is also possible to provide, below the cups 1, a sealed plastic bag (not shown) inflatable with physiological saline which allows an increase in compression.

Inflatable pockets can also be adjacent to the reinforcements 2.

In addition to its role of support, the breast support provides a role of massage on the scars and the healing phenomenon is favored by the uniform compression of the massage and by a light friction which polishes the scars. For this purpose, the internal part of the cups 10 or inner cup is constituted by a knitted fabric of 100% cotton not allergic and pre-formed, the latter technique being known elsewhere.

Two groups of scars can be absorbed by massage. The first group relates to the scars after removal of the mammary gland or of the part or of the aerolar zone and finally the scars of the branch in L, in inverted T, in L upside down or obliquely. The second group of scars consists of the scars under the breast in the breast furrow having the same shapes as before. Are not concerned scars under the armpit or resulting from the removal of the back.

FIG. 2 represents the action of breast support in the case of the scars of the first group, that is to say the peripheral scars of the aerolar zone A and the vertical or oblique scars, these scars being uniformly compressed and massaged by the support d '' a pre-formed hat. FIG. 2 shows the elastic forces exerted inside the cap on the scars of the first group, the elastic forces being represented by arrows C.

FIG. 3 schematically represents the forces which are exerted in the case of scars of the second group which are widely used in cosmetic surgery, present in the area of the submammary groove. They are massaged by the passage over the submammary groove of a branch 9 of the "eight" which ensures on the one hand a maintenance of the mammary unit and on the other hand scar compression under the breast. It starts from the central crossing point 7, passes under the submammary groove between the infero-internal and infero-external quadrant and ends in the axis of the infero-external and supero-external quadrants. This restraint is exerted by the association of vertical pulls by the flange which maintains the positioning at level of the submammary furrow and longitudinally by the belt 2. The tests carried out made it possible to observe a flattening and a reduction of hypertrophic scars, an onset of whitening of the scars due to regular friction and to distributed compression, a reduction in itching and a reduction in post-operative pain (test on 35 operated patients).

As previously indicated, the pre-formed hat acts on the scars of the first group. The pre-formation of the hat results in the absence of seams on the internal surface to avoid any discomfort at the level of the scars and any action of the seams which can create itching and redness. The seams are made inside out to avoid any friction on the whole of the breast support and the cap is coated as shown in FIG. 6 with a knitted fabric 11 of highly dosed elastase.

In accordance with a characteristic of the invention, there are provided above the belt lateral support zones 5 providing a reinforcement having significant elastic properties which cooperate with the framework 6. The horizontal traction on this powerful lateral reinforcement is controlled by back stapling. Each of the reinforcements 5 starts from the end of the horizontal "eight" and in particular of the supero-external quadrant, of the internal-external quadrant and its height is between 10 and 12 cm. Each reinforcement ends in the third area of the back when the breast support is in position.

In Figure 5, we see that the breast support has two straps 3 in "V" which from the shoulders converge towards the dorsal closure 4. The two straps 3 are connected to the body of the breast support by elastic edges 12 which are connected to the shoulder straps 3 at points 13, the shoulder straps 3 passing between the shoulder blades this which allows an automatic return to position after an efficient and powerful movement and traction while avoiding shoulder pain. -

As indicated above, the cups are constituted by an assembly of a cotton knit 10 and an elastane knit 11 which is highly dosed. This assembly constitutes a superposition which influences the quality of the compressive massages, on the qualities of stretching. Removed from the mold, the pre-formed beanie in stretch cotton in one direction is positioned for cutting on a support so as to cover the bust fairly widely. After cutting, assembly by superposition is possible and the outer cover or cap, for example in elastic satin, is assembled with the inner pre-formed cap. Breast surgery procedures require post-operative therapy of quantified compression massages and for this purpose the technique of reverse seams is used for the junction between the tissues and the peripheral elastics. This technique reduces the thicknesses at the crossroads of the fabrics and retains the essential stretching qualities of the elastic bands.

In a particular embodiment, represented in FIG. 6 which is the section along line VI-VI of FIG. 4, the elasticity of the internal cup 10 (symbolized by the arrow E2) is directed in the plane perpendicular to the figure while the elasticity of the outer cap 1 (symbolized by the arrows El) is in the direction of the plane of the figure.

The two cups being assembled by superposition this results in a holding action due to the double action of the inner cup and the outer cup which results in radial forces oriented towards the center common to the two cups over the entire surface of the breast (arrows D sure Fig. 4). As previously indicated, the seams are made on the outside so that the skin is only in contact with the smooth surfaces.

In Figure 7, there is shown a variant for the case where, after operation, there is reconstruction of the breast. A perforation, the diameter of which is 18 mm, for example, is made in the center of the four quadrants into which is inserted a prosthesis 15 in the form of a nipple (for example made of silicone) which projects outside the breast support.

For aesthetic reasons, the outer cap 11 is preferably in stretch satin, white, printed white, or in color, as desired.

The tests carried out under medical supervision made it possible to observe that the breast support according to the invention allows the absence of formation of large hematomas; the absence of dislocation of the prosthesis, the reduction in the formation of the phenomenon of fibrous shells and the absence of sensation of pain by suitable comfort.

Claims

Breast support, in particular post-operative, comprising caps (1) connected to their lower part by a thoracic belt (2) and, at the upper part, to shoulder straps (3) whose second end is integral with the rear part of the belt (2), the cups being surrounded by an "eight" border, characterized in that the border constitutes a compressive and elastic framework (6), each cap (1) consisting of an internal cap (10) and of an outer cap (11) superimposed formed by two knitted pieces whose directions of elasticity are substantially perpendicular.

2. Breast support according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal cap (10) is a preformed cap made of 100% pure cotton.

3. Breast support according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the straps (3) have, after closing the removable fastener (4), a "V" shape, the tip of the "V" being oriented towards the fixing (4) of the belt.

4. Breast support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that elastic reinforcements (5) are provided outside of the cups (1) between them and the connecting strip (14) with the fixing ( 4).

5. Breast support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seams are made inside out.

6. Breast support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (6) by its branch (9) passes over the groove under the breast, above the belt (2).

7. Breast support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inflatable plastic pocket is arranged below the cups (1).