US5700288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Breast prosthesis
Assignee: University of Arkansas
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Filing: 1996-07-18
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Granted: 1997-12-23
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Expires: 2016-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A breast prosthesis and an underwire bra adapted to retain the breast prosthesis. The breast prosthesis is affixed to the underwire bra by an attachment fixture molded into the posterior (or chest side) of the prosthesis. The attachment fixture, a female plug, is complementary to a retention fixture, a male plug, molded into a loop on the underwire of the bra. The loop of the underwire is adapted to provide a spring bias of the male plug against the chest wall of the wearer for a secure and comfortable fit and to provide sensory feedback as to the correct positioning of the prosthesis.
Inventors
- 👤 L. Daniel Eaton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:30
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41C; A41C3/00; A41C3/12; A41C3/14; A41C3/148; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/5044; A61F2/5046; A61F2/52; A61F2/78; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30487; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/5007; A61F2002/501; A61F2002/5053; A61F2002/5058; A61F2002/526; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
In combination, a breast prosthesis and a bra adapted to be worn with the breast prosthesis by a mastectomy patient, comprising: a breast prosthesis having first attachment means; and a bra having second attachment means, said first and second attachment means being adapted for releasible interconnection one to the other; and wherein said bra further comprises an underwire and further wherein said second attachment means is affixed to said underwire; wherein said underwire further comprises a loop portion and further wherein said second attachment means is affixed to said loop portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
In combination, a breast prosthesis and a bra adapted to be worn with the breast prosthesis by a mastectomy patient, comprising: a breast prosthesis having first attachment means; and a bra having second attachment means, said first and second attachment means being adapted for releasible interconnection one to the other; and wherein said bra further comprises an underwire and further wherein said second attachment means is affixed to said underwire; wherein said underwire further comprises a loop portion and further wherein said second attachment means is affixed to said loop portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said underwire further comprises spring means for biasing said second attachment means against the chest wall of the mastectomy patient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said breast prosthesis comprises an anterior side and a posterior side and said first attachment means is molded into said posterior side of said breast prosthesis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said first attachment means comprises a female plug and said second attachment means comprises a male plug for snapwise releasable interconnection to said female plug.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said male plug is molded around said loop portion of said underwire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
In combination, a breast prosthesis and a bra adapted to be worn with the breast prosthesis by a mastectomy patient, comprising: a breast prosthesis having first attachment means; and a bra having second attachment means, said first and second attachment means being adapted for releasible interconnection one to the other; and wherein said bra further comprises spring means for biasing said second attachment means against the chest wall of the mastectomy patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
In combination, a breast prosthesis and a bra adapted to be worn with the breast prosthesis by a mastectomy patient, comprising: a breast prosthesis having first attachment means; and a bra having second attachment means, said first and second attachment means being adapted for releasible interconnection one to the other; and wherein said bra further comprises spring means for biasing said second attachment means against the chest wall of the mastectomy patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said first attachment means comprises a female plug and said second attachment means comprises a male plug for snapwise releasible interconnection to said female plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
In combination, a breast prosthesis and a bra adapted to be worn with the breast prosthesis by a mastectomy patient, comprising: a breast prosthesis comprising an anterior side and a posterior side adapted to be presented toward the patient and having only one female plug molded into a central portion of said posterior side of said breast prosthesis; and a bra having only one male plug for snapwise releasible interconnection to said female plug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
In combination, a breast prosthesis and a bra adapted to be worn with the breast prosthesis by a mastectomy patient, comprising: a breast prosthesis comprising an anterior side and a posterior side adapted to be presented toward the patient and having only one female plug molded into a central portion of said posterior side of said breast prosthesis; and a bra having only one male plug for snapwise releasible interconnection to said female plug.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said bra further comprises an underwire and further wherein said male plug is affixed to said underwire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 9 wherein said underwire further comprises a loop portion and further wherein said male plug is affixed to said loop portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said underwire further comprises spring means for biasing said male plug against the chest wall of the mastectomy patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said male plug is molded around said loop portion of said underwire.
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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) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |