Flexible Cavity-Filling Device with Fiducial Markers for Patients Undergoing Lumpectomy

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

Illustrations of the disclosed flexible implant and the lumpectomy procedure.

Intellectual Property

Patents

Cornell Referece

  • 9132

Contact Information

Donna Rounds, Ph.D

For additional information please contact

Donna Rounds
Associate Director, Business Development and Licensing
Phone: (646) 962-7044
Email: djr296@cornell.edu