Patent Publication Number: US-2019183408-A1

Title: Breast size (volume) measurement apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/TR2016/050447, filed on Nov. 16, 2016, which is based upon and claims priority to Turkish Patent Application No. 2016/13969, filed on Oct. 5, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention is a breast volume measurement apparatus which was developed in order to ensure symmetry between two breasts during therapeutic or cosmetic breast surgery and to guide the surgeon in terms of breast size reduction ratios. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, women who wish to undergo breast surgery due to various reasons, therapeutic or cosmetic (breast reduction, augmentation or correction of deformation in the breast tissue etc.), obtain the desired appearance or medical outcome thanks to such surgical operations. However, surgeons currently conduct the necessary pre-operational measurements prior to breast surgery with the patient standing afoot, and there is lack of a proper apparatus for measurement of breast volume during the procedure itself, when the patient remains in recumbent position and measurements vary. Additionally, as tissue integrity is disturbed during an operation, pre-operational marking and measurement cannot provide the full effect intended. This leads to the surgeon essentially relying on one&#39;s own visual acuity as well as experience and skill in ensuring the desired symmetry between the two breasts. Considering specific issues such as carelessness, absent-mindedness and exhaustion, this situation where breast symmetry depends on the operating surgeon causes a certain risks, rendering some operations ineffective in terms of obtaining the desired symmetrical outcomes due to an auxiliary apparatus not being used during operation. Furthermore, due to the fact that there is currently no available apparatus to be used for the purpose grasping the entire breast and preventing tissues from slopping over, an additional supporting instrument may be needed. 
     Summary 
     The purpose of the invention is to enable measurement of breast sizes prior to and during cosmetic breast surgeries, allowing the surgeon to obtain the desired symmetrical balance between the breasts. 
     The purpose of this invention is to allow the surgeon to grasp the entire breast, essentially preventing the breast from slopping over and eliminating the need for an additional supporting instrument during surgery. 
     The purpose of this invention is to allow breast measurement during surgery while the patient is in recumbent position, facilitating the task undertaken by the surgery and the surgical assistant. 
     The purpose of this invention is to facilitate, in cases where a breast prosthesis is to be used, making a decision on prosthesis size prior to and during surgical operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view the  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a breast size (volume) measurement apparatus in a using state. 
     
    
    
     Numbers found on the figures describe the following:
           1 . volume measurement section ( 1 )     2 . nipple spacing     3 . opening for intervention     4 . tissue control gaps     5 . suture fixation channels       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a breast size (volume) measurement apparatus of the present invention includes a dome-like volume measurement section ( 1 ) made of semi-flexible metal or plastic derivatives. Using the nipple spacing ( 2 ), the surgeon may ensure that the patient&#39;s nipple is in this area, positioning the breast correctly. On the lateral surface of the volume measurement section ( 1 ), there is an opening for intervention ( 3 ) next to the nipple spacing ( 2 ). This opening for intervention ( 3 ) provides the volume measurement section ( 1 ) with a certain level of flexibility and allows necessary tissue adjustments etc. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the volume measurement section ( 1 ) features control gaps ( 4 ), which enable easier handling of the volume measurement section ( 1 ) as well as observing the breast tissue without it slopping over during surgery. The invention also features fixation channels ( 5 ) surrounding the nipple spacing ( 2 ) and the opening for intervention ( 3 ) above the volume measurement section ( 1 ). These fixation channels ( 5 ) allow fixation of the darker portion of the breast (nipple areola) to the invention using sutures, if deemed necessary. 
     The invention roughly plays the role of a mould during surgery, and thanks to its semi-flexible structure, it assumes the size/shape of the measured breast. This way, it can be placed on the other breast, which will be operated on, and both breasts can be symmetrically adjusted to each other after the surgeon performs the same operation as the first breast on the second one. 
     The lateral surface length of the invention, which extends from the dome-like volume measurement section ( 1 ) and the nipple spacing ( 2 ) to the base, gradually grows narrower to a certain extent as the opening for intervention is approached from the lateral side. This facilitates flexing of the dome-like volume measurement section ( 1 ). If desired, the lateral surface length, which extends from the dome-like volume measurement section ( 1 ) and the nipple spacing ( 2 ) to the base, may be redesigned so that it does not narrow down as the opening for intervention is approached from the lateral side.