‘Bionic Breast’ Aims To Revive Sensation In Women After They’ve Had A Mastectomy

Illustration 134023023 © Sebastian Kaulitzki | Dreamstime.com

In a promising development for breast cancer survivors, researchers at the University of Chicago have set out to develop an implantable device that could restore the sense of touch after reconstructive surgery. 

Spearheaded by Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD, the innovative Bionic Breast Project has just received a US$3.99 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to move into early clinical trials. The goal is to mitigate the profound physical and psychological effects that a mastectomy can have on a woman’s sense of self, including sexual dysfunction and a disconnection from one’s body.

“For most women, it’s less than a few weeks between the moment a doctor says, ‘You have breast cancer’ and having a mastectomy,” Lindau explains. “Even if their breasts are cosmetically restored, women still have many of the same experiences as a person who loses a limb, like feeling it’s no longer part of their body, total loss of sensation and even pain. For many people, it’s not just a physical loss, but also a psychological and even existential loss.”

Lindau’s team, bolstered by the expertise of leading neuroscientists and bioengineers, is exploring the use of implantable medical devices that can stimulate nerves to recreate the sensation of touch. Their work continues the research of neuroscientist Sliman Bensmaia, PhD, who unexpectedly passed away in May and whose pioneering research is the cornerstone of this endeavor. He was the “bionic” part of the project, while Lindau assumed the “breast” part, Lindau recalls. “Even if it won’t be the same without him, the team we have will still be able to create beauty and impact together.”

The project—a hopeful culmination of interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together the fields of molecular engineering, neuroscience, gynecology, oncology, and psychology—promises not only to return a natural sense of touch to survivors but also aims to address the broader psychological and sexual health concerns that often go unspoken in the wake of breast cancer surgery.

Image via The University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences

The technology employs a unique sensor developed by Sihong Wang, PHD, Assistant Professor of Molecular Engineering at the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. It’s designed to be as soft and flexible as biological tissue, and responsive to the body’s natural movements. The sensor is meant to be inserted under the nipple and areola “to respond to touch, movement, pressure, and other stimuli to generate electrical output that is routed to the nervous system interface.”

The Bionic Breast Project exemplifies a compassionate approach to medical innovation, prioritizing patient input and aiming to transform lives with a blend of scientific ingenuity and human understanding.

Before their final breast reconstruction surgery, patients will drop by the lab for a unique test drive of the Bionic Breast device. Here, they’ll essentially help “teach” the device how to mimic real sensations by giving feedback on what they’re feeling. Once the doctors and engineers get the settings dialed in, patients will have the device taken out to make way for their next procedure.

As the initiative progresses, it represents more than just a technological breakthrough—it’s a beacon of hope for improved quality of life for those affected by breast cancer. Lindau’s work extends beyond the lab, with her team conducting crucial research to better understand the needs and concerns of patients during the vulnerable period between diagnosis and post-reconstruction. This insight is vital for developing more effective communication strategies for physicians and improving patient care. With patient care and communication at its heart, this endeavor is set to make a significant impact in the lives of survivors, ensuring their voices are heard and their physical and emotional well-being is elevated.

[via Live Science and The University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, images via various sources]