Proposed Breast Implant Idea Holds Promise
Proposed Breast Implant Idea Holds Promise
February 1, 2007 -
Breast implant surgery is the leading cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States. In 2005, nearly 350,000 women underwent breast augmentation procedures. At some point, however, many of these women will require revision and/or replacement surgeries.
Over the past two years, approximately 91,000 women have had their breast implants removed. Side effects such as scar tissue formation, ruptures, deformities, and leaks are among the primary reasons for implant removal.
The Promise of Biorubber
Judit Puskas, a professor of polymer science at the University of Akron, believes that developing a new type of breast implant-one made of a biorubber substance–could prevent many of these side effects.
According to Puskas, the biorubber material would be lighter, less permeable, and less likely to rupture than silicone, which is the substance currently used for breast implants. She also said that biorubber implants could potentially inhibit the formation of scar tissue around the implant, a problem that results in a condition known as capsular contracture.
Awaiting Funding
At this point, Puskas is awaiting a decision from the National Science Foundation on whether they will fund an 11-year, $10 million dollar proposal to develop and test the biorubber implants.
“My real awakening and motivation for this project is that the (National Institutes of Health) does not support any project-zero-for alternative materials for breast implants. It’s silicone and silicone only. There is nothing else,” she said.
If the funding gains approval, researchers would spend the first year creating a prototype and testing its chemical and mechanical properties to determine if the biorubber is more compatible with the human body than silicone.
“There’s good reason to suggest it would be,” said Stephen Schmidt, director of surgical research at Summa Health System.
The second year would be spent testing the implant in the lab and in animals to prepare the device for clinical trials.
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