Post-breast surgery brassiere and profile-correcting insert

Abstract

A brassiere for women who have undergone a single or double mastectomy with breast reconstruction and a profile-correcting insert that is either sewn directly into the brassiere or can be worn separately with other conventional brassiere and garments. The brassiere provides a natural, conical-shaped breast profile. The brassiere further provides elastic gathering at the upper-side region or around the bottom-half of the support cup, side-seam in close proximity to the cups, the option of elimination of any underwire within the support cup, and a wider elastic band underneath the cup(s) along the front of the wearer's rib-cage. Additionally, the profile-correcting insert can be affixed to other conventional brassieres or garments and the brassiere can be incorporated into other garments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A post-mastectomy brassiere comprising:
 at least one strap, each to be placed over a shoulder of the wearer;   at least one support cup;   an elastic band positioned under said cup(s);   two side seems, each distal from the center front of the brassiere and proximal to the outer edge of said cup(s);   two panels distal from the center front of the brassiere;   a closure mechanism; and   a profile-correcting insert,   
       wherein said brassiere provides a substantially natural- or tear-drop-shaped breast profile when worn. 
     
     
         2 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere comprises two straps and two support cups. 
     
     
         3 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of said support cup(s) is comprised of elastic. 
     
     
         4 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said profile-correcting insert is sewn into the support cup(s) of said brassiere. 
     
     
         5 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said profile-correcting insert is sewn into only one of the support cup(s) of said brassiere. 
     
     
         6 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said profile-correcting insert is affixed to yet removable from the support cup(s) of said brassiere. 
     
     
         7 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere is constructed such that the upper-outer sides of the support cup(s) offer superior support under the wearer's arm(s) and/or allow sufficient give. 
     
     
         8 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere is constructed such that the side seams are located sufficiently proximal to the support cup(s), thereby minimizing and/or preventing the implant from reaching the wearer's under arm area. 
     
     
         9 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere is wireless. 
     
     
         10 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere further comprises a wire under said cup(s). 
     
     
         11 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastic band positioned under said cup(s) is wide. 
     
     
         12 . The post-mastectomy brassier according to  claim 11 , wherein said elastic band positioned under said cup(s) is at least 0.5 inch in height. 
     
     
         13 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere does not substantially slip and/or rub against the wearer's skin. 
     
     
         14 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere is custom to the wearer. 
     
     
         15 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere is a demi-brassiere. 
     
     
         16 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere is a full coverage brassiere. 
     
     
         17 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said profile-correcting insert is positioned in the middle of said cup(s). 
     
     
         18 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere further comprises padding in the lower portion of said cup(s). 
     
     
         19 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere, other than said profile-correcting insert, is constructed of fabric. 
     
     
         20 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 19 , wherein said fabric stretches. 
     
     
         21 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 19 , wherein said fabric is tactel, lycra, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of said support cup(s) consists of elastic. 
     
     
         23 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere comprises at least two straps positioned in a racerback conformation. 
     
     
         24 . The post-mastectomy brassiere according to  claim 1 , wherein said brassiere comprises at least two straps positioned in either a wide or narrow conformation. 
     
     
         25 . A profile-correcting insert, wherein said insert provides a substantially natural- or tear-drop-shaped breast profile when worn in conjunction with a garment comprising at least one support cup. 
     
     
         26 . The profile-correcting insert according to  claim 25 , wherein said insert is sewn into the support cup(s) of a brassiere. 
     
     
         27 . The profile-correcting insert according to  claim 25 , wherein said insert is affixed to yet removable from the support cup(s) of a brassiere. 
     
     
         28 . A post-mastectomy brassiere comprising:
 two straps, each to be placed over a shoulder of the wearer;   two support cups;   an elastic band positioned under said cups;   two side seems, each distal from the center front of the brassiere and proximal to the outer edge of said cups;   two panels distal from the center front of the brassiere;   a closure mechanism; and   a profile-correcting insert,   
       wherein said brassiere provides a substantially natural- or tear-drop-shaped breast profile when worn, wherein said profile-correcting insert is either sewn into at least one of said support cups or affixed to yet removable from at least one of said support cups, wherein said brassiere is constructed such that the upper-outer sides of the support cups offer superior support under the wearer's arms and/or allow sufficient give, wherein said brassiere is constructed such that the side seams are located sufficiently proximal to the support cups, thereby minimizing and/or preventing the implant from reaching the wearer's under arm area, wherein said elastic band positioned under said cups is at least 0.5 inch in height, wherein said brassiere does not substantially slip and/or rub against the wearer's skin, wherein said brassiere, other than said profile-correcting insert, is constructed of tactel, lycra, or a combination thereof, and wherein the lower portion of said cups is comprised of elastic.