Multilayer Smart Bra or Bra Insert for Optical Detection of Breast Cancer

A multi-layer device for optical detection of breast cancer comprising:

• an air-gap-reducing layer which is configured to be worn on the surface of a person's breast, wherein the air-gap-reducing layer is transparent or has the same optical characteristics as normal breast tissue, and wherein a first part of the air-gap-reducing layer is on a first side of a virtual plane and a second part of the air-gap-reducing layer is on a second side of the virtual plane;
• an optical layer with a plurality of light emitters and light detectors, wherein a first part of the optical layer is on the first side of the virtual plane and a second part of the optical layer is on the second side of the virtual plane;
• an expandable layer with a plurality of expandable components, wherein a first part of the expandable layer is on the first side of the virtual plane and a second part of the expandable layer is on the second side of the virtual plane;
• and
• a structural layer which reduces expansion of the expandable components away from the breast;
• wherein the optical layer is between the air-gap-reducing layer and the expandable layer, wherein the expandable layer is between the optical layer and the structural layer, wherein the device has an unexpanded configuration in which the expandable components are not expanded, wherein the device has an expanded configuration in which the expandable components are expanded, wherein there is a first average distance between the first part of the optical layer and the second part of the optical layer when the device is in the unexpanded configuration, wherein there is a second average distance between the first part of the optical layer and the second part of the optical layer when the device is in the expanded configuration, and wherein the second average distance is less than the first average distance.