Flexible exint retention fixation for external breast prosthesis

A method of removably attaching an external breast prosthesis to the body of a user, comprising the steps of:

• surgically implanting at least one ferromagnetic implant beneath the skin of the user at a site of attachment;
• taking an impression of the site of attachment;
• preparing a mold for forming an external prosthesis comprising an anatomical portion replicating at least some of the characteristics of a breast and a body facing portion shaped from said impression to conform substantially to the surface anatomy of the body at the site of attachment
• placing in said mold at least one carrier adjacent to said body facing portion so as to align each of said at least one carrier with a respective site of implantation of one of said at least one ferromagnetic implant;
• each of said at least one carrier comprising a permanent magnet and compliant housing means affixed to said body facing portion whereby said permanent magnet is housed within said compliant housing means so as to allow movement of said permanent magnet within said compliant housing means, said compliant housing means further having a body facing opening and a mesh covering said body facing opening;
• injecting said mold with room temperature vulcanizable silicone;
• allowing said room temperature vulcanizable silicone to cure;
• removing said external prosthesis from said mold;
• and
• removably attaching said external prosthesis to the body of the user by aligning each of said at least one carrier with a respective one of said at least one ferromagnetic implant.

A kit for removable attachment of an external breast prosthesis to the body of a user, comprising:

• an external prosthesis for removable attachment to the body of a user, said external prosthesis comprising an anatomical portion replicating at least some of the characteristics of a breast;
• and
• a body facing portion attached to the anatomical portion and shaped to conform substantially to the surface anatomy of the body at a site of attachment, said body facing portion comprising at least one carrier;
• each of said at least one carrier comprising a permanent magnet and compliant housing means affixed to said body facing portion whereby said permanent magnet is housed within said compliant housing means so as to allow movement of said permanent magnet within said compliant housing means, said compliant housing means further having a body facing opening and a mesh covering said body facing opening;
• and
• at least one ferromagnetic implant for implantation at said site of attachment on the body of the user whereby each of said permanent magnets is aligned with a respective one of said at least one ferromagnetic implant.

An external prosthesis for removable attachment to the body of a user having received ferromagnetic implants at a site of attachment, comprising:

• an anatomical portion replicating at least some of the characteristics of an anatomical feature of the head and neck region of the body of the user;
• and
• a body facing portion attached to the anatomical portion and shaped to conform substantially to the surface anatomy of the body at a site of attachment, said body facing portion comprising at least one carrier;
• each of said at least one carrier comprising a compliant housing means affixed to said body facing portion and a permanent magnet for magnetic attachment to a respective one of said ferromagnetic implants whereby said permanent magnet is housed within said compliant housing means so as to allow movement of said permanent magnet within said compliant housing means, said compliant housing means further having a body facing opening and a mesh covering said body facing opening.

A method of removably attaching an external prosthesis to the body of a user, comprising the steps of:

• surgically implanting at least one ferromagnetic implant beneath the skin of the user at a site of attachment;
• taking an impression of the site of attachment;
• preparing a mold for forming an external prosthesis comprising an anatomical portion replicating at least some of the characteristics of an anatomical feature of the head and neck region of the body of the user and a body facing portion shaped from said impression to conform substantially to the surface anatomy of the body at the site of attachment;
• placing in said mold at least one carrier adjacent to said body facing portion so as to align each of said at least one carrier with a respective site of implantation of one of said at least one ferromagnetic implant;
• each of said at least one carrier comprising a permanent magnet and compliant housing means affixed to said body facing portion whereby said permanent magnet is housed within said compliant housing means so as to allow movement of said permanent magnet within said compliant housing means, said compliant housing means further having a body facing opening and a mesh covering said body facing opening;
• injecting said mold with room temperature vulcanizable silicone;
• allowing said room temperature vulcanizable silicone to cure;
• removing said external prosthesis from said mold;
• and
• removably attaching said external prosthesis to the body of the user by aligning each of said at least one carrier with a respective one of said at least one ferromagnetic implant.

A kit for removable attachment of an external prosthesis to the body of a user, comprising:

• an external prosthesis for removable attachment to the body of a user, said external prosthesis comprising an anatomical portion replicating at least some of the characteristics of an anatomical feature of the head and neck region of the body of the user;
• and
• a body facing portion attached to the anatomical portion and shaped to conform substantially to the surface anatomy of the body at a site of attachment, said body facing portion comprising at least one carrier;
• each of said at least one carrier comprising a permanent magnet and compliant housing means affixed to said body facing portion whereby said permanent magnet is housed within said compliant housing means so as to allow movement of said permanent magnet within said compliant housing means, said compliant housing means further having a body facing opening and a mesh covering said body facing opening;
• and
• at least one ferromagnetic implant for implantation at said site of attachment on the body of the user whereby each of said permanent magnets is aligned with a respective one of said one of said at least one ferromagnetic implant.