US4364880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making a breast prosthesis
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-01-16
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Granted: 1982-12-21
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Expires: 2001-01-16
Abstract
Abstract Method for making a breast prosthesis formed from plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic having coloring, texture, weight and feel closely approximating those of a natural breast. Liquid plastic is heated and tinted with a first portion having a skin tone and a second portion having the darker color of the areola and nipple area. The darker portion is poured into a breast mold to the depth of the desired areola area. This pour is allowed to set until tacky at which time the skin colored portion is poured, which bonds to the first pour. The mold is immediately cooled in a freezer at 5° F. or less. After curing and cooling, the prosthesis is removed from the mold. An alternative embodiment used for teaching self-examination includes small objects embedded in the prosthesis to simulate tumors.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeanette W. Howse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/52; B; B29; B29C; B29C39/00; B29C39/02; B29C39/021; B29C39/025; A61F2/5044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of forming a female breast prosthesis using a mold comprising the steps of: heating an uncured liquid plasticized or polyvinylchloride plastic to a temperature greater than the curing temperature of the plastic; tinting a first portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected first color representative of the color of the nipple and areola of a human female breast; tinting a second portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected second color representative of the color of a human female skin; coating the mold with a release agent; pouring the first portion of the heated liquid plastic into the nipple-areola portion of the mold; partially curing the poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold and over the nipple-areola portion to a preselected level in the mold to form the breast prosthesis; chilling the mold immediately after pouring the second portion to a selected low temperature much lower than ambient; and curing the breast prosthesis in the mold at the selected low temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of forming a female breast prosthesis using a mold comprising the steps of: heating an uncured liquid plasticized or polyvinylchloride plastic to a temperature greater than the curing temperature of the plastic; tinting a first portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected first color representative of the color of the nipple and areola of a human female breast; tinting a second portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected second color representative of the color of a human female skin; coating the mold with a release agent; pouring the first portion of the heated liquid plastic into the nipple-areola portion of the mold; partially curing the poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold and over the nipple-areola portion to a preselected level in the mold to form the breast prosthesis; chilling the mold immediately after pouring the second portion to a selected low temperature much lower than ambient; and curing the breast prosthesis in the mold at the selected low temperature.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of forming a custom female breast prosthesis for a patient having a depressed chest region using a first mold of the breast, nipple and areola, and a second mold of the depressed chest region comprising the steps of: heating an uncured liquid plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic to a temperature greater than the curing temperature of the plastic; tinting a first portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected first color representative of the color of the nipple and areola of a human female breast; tinting a second portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected second color representative of the color of a human female skin; coating the mold with a release agent; pouring the first portion of the heated liquid plastic into the nipple-areola portion of the mold; partially curing the poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring a first part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold and over the nipple-areola portion to a preselected level in the mold to form the breast prosthesis; joining the second mold to the first mold; partially curing the second-poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring a second part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the second mold and over the slightly tacky second-poured partially cured plastic; chilling the molds, immediately after pouring the second part of the second portion, to a selected low temperature much lower than ambient; and curing the breast prosthesis in the mold at the selected low temperature.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of forming a custom female breast prosthesis for a patient having a depressed chest region using a first mold of the breast, nipple and areola, and a second mold of the depressed chest region comprising the steps of: heating an uncured liquid plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic to a temperature greater than the curing temperature of the plastic; tinting a first portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected first color representative of the color of the nipple and areola of a human female breast; tinting a second portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected second color representative of the color of a human female skin; coating the mold with a release agent; pouring the first portion of the heated liquid plastic into the nipple-areola portion of the mold; partially curing the poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring a first part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold and over the nipple-areola portion to a preselected level in the mold to form the breast prosthesis; joining the second mold to the first mold; partially curing the second-poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring a second part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the second mold and over the slightly tacky second-poured partially cured plastic; chilling the molds, immediately after pouring the second part of the second portion, to a selected low temperature much lower than ambient; and curing the breast prosthesis in the mold at the selected low temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 in which the release agent is a vegetable oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 in which the step of heating an uncured liquid plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic includes the steps of: mixing and uncured liquid plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic with a liquid softening agent in the ratio of one and one half-to-one to produce a mixture; and holding the mixture at approximately 380° F. for approximately one minute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 in which the steps of chilling the mold and curing the breast prosthesis includes the steps of: exposing the mold to a temperature in the range of about 0° to 10° F.; and maintaining such temperature for a period of about one and one quarter to three hours.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 or 2 in which the uncured liquid plastic is heated to about 380° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 6 in which the mold is chilled to a temperature in the range of about 0° to 10° F.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of forming an instructional artificial breast using a mold and comprising the steps of: heating an uncured liquid plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic to a temperature greater than the curing temperature of the plastic; tinting a first portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected first color representative of the color of the nipple and areola of a human female breast; tinting a second portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected second color representative of the color of a human female skin; coating the mold with a release agent; pouring the first portion of the heated liquid plastic into the nipple-areola portion of the mold; partially curing the poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring a part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold and over the nipple-areola portion to a preselected level in the mold; partially curing the poured second portion of the liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; placing an object representative in size and shape of a breast tumor on the surface of the tacky layer; pouring an additional part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold over the tacky layer and object to fill the mold therewith; chilling the mold immediately after completion of pouring to a selected low temperature much lower than ambient; and curing the breast prosthesis in the mold at the selected low temperature.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of forming an instructional artificial breast using a mold and comprising the steps of: heating an uncured liquid plasticized polyvinylchloride plastic to a temperature greater than the curing temperature of the plastic; tinting a first portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected first color representative of the color of the nipple and areola of a human female breast; tinting a second portion of the heated liquid plastic to a selected second color representative of the color of a human female skin; coating the mold with a release agent; pouring the first portion of the heated liquid plastic into the nipple-areola portion of the mold; partially curing the poured liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; pouring a part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold and over the nipple-areola portion to a preselected level in the mold; partially curing the poured second portion of the liquid plastic until it becomes slightly tacky; placing an object representative in size and shape of a breast tumor on the surface of the tacky layer; pouring an additional part of the second portion of the heated liquid plastic into the mold over the tacky layer and object to fill the mold therewith; chilling the mold immediately after completion of pouring to a selected low temperature much lower than ambient; and curing the breast prosthesis in the mold at the selected low temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-20 | 1986-06-21 | 1986-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-20 | 1990-06-21 | 1990-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-20 | 1994-06-21 | 1994-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |