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M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Technology Commercialization: Technology Available for Licensing

     MD Anderson Cancer Center
     NON-CONFIDENTIAL TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
     Title
     Breast Expander Device
    
Background
     It is estimated that more than 50% of all newly diagnosed cancers will receive radiation therapy as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy regimens (Medtech Insight, 2003). The percentage of patients who require adjunct radiation therapy following mastectomy was reported to be 19% in 1991 and in a 1999 study, the incidence was 25% (EJSO, 2004). Breast cancer patients are often required to undergo skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and subsequent radiation therapy. Unfortunately when breast reconstruction is delayed because of the potential for radiation treatment, the breast skin and shape are lost along with the best aesthetic outcome. Therefore, the preservation of the 3-D breast skin envelope is of utmost importance to achieve the desirable outcome with breast reconstruction.
    
Competitive Advantages
     A clinician at U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has created both protocols for breast reconstruction and various device designs as means of preserving breast skin tissue during a mastectomy and also to enhance radiation therapy treatment. The availability of usable skin can also increase the eligibility of many patients who otherwise would not be candidates for delayed breast reconstruction. Furthermore, breast prosthesis that are currently available on the market do not offer all the features proposed in this invention to preserve the breast skin while allowing for optimal radiation delivery. Furthermore, the design of the expander and the accessory items may aid in reducing infections and therefore cost. The clinician envisions partnering with a company to develop a prototype and determine its efficacy and safety. Advances in breast reconstruction will play a significant role in a woman’s physical, emotional, and psychological recovery from breast cancer.
    
MDA Ref. No.:    MDA05-060 / 06-20-05 / BD

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