IDEAL IMPLANT Technology
The IDEAL IMPLANT uses no new materials, fillers or manufacturing processes. It is made from only saline implant shells, valves and patches, with saline as the only filler material.
The IDEAL IMPLANT has a novel, yet simple design, consisting of a series of saline implant shells of increasing size nested together. There is an inner shell defining an inner saline compartment and an outer shell defining an outer saline compartment; between these shells are one to three unattached, perforated shells. This internal structure is designed in an effort to control movement of the saline filler. The goal is to reduce the bouncing associated with standard saline implants and to give the natural, breast tissue-like feel associated with silicone gel implants.
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| Cut-away view of IDEAL IMPLANT |
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| IDEAL IMPLANT |
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The engineered structure of the IDEAL IMPLANT appears to provide internal support, so when it is held upright, the upper portion of the implant does not collapse the way a standard saline implant does. In addition, the internal structure seems to provide support to the edge of the outer shell to minimize wrinkles and folds, even at the minimum fill volume. Since shell folds are thought to be a major cause of implant deflation, support of the edge to reduce folds, if found to occur in clinical use, may result in a lower deflation rate for the IDEAL IMPLANT than for the standard saline implant.
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The shell geometry of the IDEAL IMPLANT is designed to be similar to the silicone gel implant. It conforms to a convex surface, such as the chest wall, so the implant edge lies low and close to the surface. This low position of the edge has the potential to minimize wrinkling on the sides, as is the case with the silicone gel implant.
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| Commercially available medium profile silicone gel-filled implant (left) and IDEAL IMPLANT (right) |
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The IDEAL IMPLANT requires a relatively small incision since it is inserted empty and then each lumen filled with saline through self-sealing valves. It was designed to allow for sub-muscular or sub-glandular position with standard surgical techniques. It is available in the fourteen most popular sizes.
If the IDEAL IMPLANT ruptures, detection will be obvious on physical examination since the implant deflates and the saline is absorbed by the body. In many cases, replacement may be possible under a local anesthetic, rather than the general anesthetic needed for replacement of a silicone gel implant. |
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