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Design of Custom Breast Prosthesis for Additive Manufacturing Production

Abstract:

By taking advantage of additive manufacturing techniques and Computer-Aided Design software, the present work proposes modeling a personalized external breast prosthesis through three-dimensional (3D) scanning and photopolymerization 3D printing. Modeling and validation of the external prosthesis were performed using specialized software, considering dynamic and mechanical variables such as flexibility. The results showed that the prosthesis developed in this study has approximately six times higher contact percentage with the affected area than a commercial prosthesis, besides revealing propitious mechanical properties. Additive manufacturing technologies are potential tools to produce breast prostheses and maximize comfort levels while keeping up typical sales rates. The proposed design could develop an alternative that may increase the quality of mas-tectomized women’s lives by offering a solution that focuses on returning what cancer has taken away from them.