Sep 19, 2018 | By Thomas
Rosie Brave and Sam Jackman, two design students at the University of Plymouth, have created 3D printed pink prosthetic breasts which is set to change the lives of cancer survivors.
Brave was inspired to make a difference after hearing about Jackman’s mother’s struggle with the 'sweaty' and 'uncomfortable' traditional breast prosthesis she was given following surgery.
The two friends started Boost, aiming to radically rethink the design of breast prostheses and come up with something that could give pleasure to wearers. The 3D printed models they have created are colourful, lightweight and breathable, and designed via a collaborative process with those who have gone through the trauma of breast cancer and mastectomy.
Brave said: “The idea came from Sam’s mother having a mastectomy, and hating the prosthesis she had.
“I’m always questioning why things are the way they are and how they can be better, and I love colour.
“Part of the issue with the prosthesis was that it was beige, and it was bland, and it didn’t match her skin tone. It was trying to look real but failing.
“We just thought it was much more interesting to depart from trying to be realistic at all, and have some fun with it.”
Around 18,000 mastectomies - which take around 90 minutes - are performed each year in England on the NHS. Post-mastectomy, patients can opt for breast reconstruction, but many choose not to go down that route. For these people, the NHS offers breast prostheses that go inside a specialised bra with a pocket, or a normal bra. But Brave and Jackman cite NHS figures suggesting wellbeing is lower in women who do not opt for reconstruction.
Brave’s university research has led her to choose a co-design process involving design workshops and focus groups. She has also worked with 3D printing technology, allowing her to move away from realism in the design of her breast forms, and experiment with different concepts and structures. She has run sessions where breast prosthesis users gave feedback on her ideas, and events where users designed their own.
Brave and Jackman’s biggest challenge was finding a way to bring down the cost of manufacture. Brave continued:
“The standard NHS prosthesis is hot, heavy and sweaty to wear. That was one of the first things we discovered, we thought if we can make it look attractive then we’re winning, but actually the feedback was, you need to deal with the heaviness and the hotness.
“That’s why we started to create things that were breathable, with an open structure that would let the air pass through. This structure is also part of the decorative element, but manufacturing it is quite tricky.
“That’s where 3D printing comes in, but unfortunately the cost of 3D printing in silicone is currently prohibitive, and people really want something affordable. They’re spending a fortune on specialised bras after surgery, and if they want additional prostheses from the NHS they have to buy them. The costs add up, so making an expensive product, even if it would be more comfortable to wear, didn’t really sit right.”
All images Credit: University of Plymouth / Boost
She added: “If someone has had a limb amputation it’s quite apparent, but this is hidden, and sometimes people’s best friends don’t even know. That’s fine if that’s what you want, but I don’t think everyone wants that. I think it’s still taboo, and we’re trying to push back against that a little.
“Some of the people we spoke to had this attitude of ‘oh well, it doesn’t matter, I don’t matter, I just have to get on with it’. They’re used to the way things have always been, and they don’t expect their prosthesis to be something fun that gives them joy. I think there’s an opportunity to change that.”
Brave and Jackman have already received £15,000 through the Design Council’s Spark programme, in which they were finalists this year. They are currently seeking further investment to move to full product testing.
Brave is planning an exhibition of prototypes to begin on International Women's Day, Friday 8 March next year. Each will be unique and tailored to the individual women who participated in the research project, the designers revealed.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- ETH Zurich prints tough, lightweight structures using FDM 3D printers and liquid-crystal-polymers
- LLNL explores machine learning to prevent defects in metal 3D-printed parts in real time
- AMT launches PostPro3D automated surface smoothing machine for 3D printed parts
- Hailey Dawson, 8-year-old with 3D printed hand throws 1st pitch at all 30 MLB parks
- Johnson & Johnson acquires 3D printed spinal implant maker Emerging Implant Technologies
- LEGO and Stanley Black & Decker back Evolve Additive Solutions with $19M funding
- Lockheed Martin teams With Deakin University to exploit FORTIS Exoskeleton
- Awesome 3D printed Millennium Falcon took 10 days to complete
- WASP releases modular Crane WASP infinity 3D printer for construction
- Zortrax enters resin 3D printing market with Zortrax Inkspire 3D printer
They should make it free and parametric like the more simple models https://opensource.com/article/17/7/3D-print-breast-prosthetic
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
