Principal Investigator:
Rache Simmons, Anne K. and Edwin C. Weiskopf Professor of Surgical Oncology
Background & Unmet Need
- Patients with breast cancer often undergo a lumpectomy procedure to remove cancerous tissue prior to additional radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Resection of tumor and a margin of healthy tissue can create a cavity in the breast tissue
- Implants are often used to demark the cavity for future radiation therapy, and to help maintain the shape of the breast
- However, current implant designs (such as Biozorb) may lead to patient discomfort due to the stiff, rigid design
- In addition, current implants sometimes break apart into sharp fragments prior to being fully absorbed, requiring surgical intervention
- Unmet Need: Flexible implants to fill space and provide markers following lumpectomy
Technology Overview
- The Technology: A flexible ribbon-like implant comprising a hydrogel material imbedded with a radiopaque marker
- The hydrogel material may be either bioresorbable or non-bioresorbable, and is intended to match the density and elasticity of human subcutaneous breast tissue
- The radiopaque marker may be configured as a wire that runs the length of the ribbon, and may be used to demark the cavity for future radiotherapy
- Unlike rigid implant designs, the flexibility of the implant is expected to reduce patient anxiety and increase patient comfort
- Furthermore, the flexibility of the implant reduces the possibility of fragmentation into sharp pieces that require removal
- The small thickness of the ribbon may accelerate reabsorption compared to current implant designs
Technology Applications
- Demarcation of resected cancerous tissue following lumpectomy to guide radiotherapy
- Flexible implant to fill cavity following resection for the maintenance of normal breast appearance and feel
Technology Advantages
- Flexible design improves patient comfort
- Hydrogel composition emulates the density and elasticity of normal breast tissue
- Small thickness of the ribbon enables rapid reabsorption
- Includes radiopaque markers to guide subsequent radiotherapy
Resources
Intellectual Property
Patents
- US Patent 11,406,489: "Implant with fiducial markers." (Issued August 9, 2022)
- US Application Filed: "Implant with fiducial markers"
Cornell Referece
- 9132
Contact Information
For additional information please contact
Donna Rounds
Associate Director, Business Development and Licensing
Phone: (646) 962-7044
Email: djr296@cornell.edu