In 2019, there were 4,761 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Hong Kong. However, most breast implant products on the market are made according to the weight and body shape of Westerners.
The Hong Kong Textile and Apparel Research and Development Centre (HKRITA) developed the first bust for Hong Kong-made breast cancer survivors, at a cost that is one-tenth the cost of similar busts in Europe and the United States.
The bust is tailor-made for rehabilitated patients using three-dimensional body scanning technology. The team hopes that the recovered patients can regain their confidence, and a more comfortable bust can also speed up recovery.
The bra won a Gold Medal at the 2022 International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, along with three-dimensional knitted printing technology and the re-creation of old leather into new recycled leather products.
A total of nine technologies and products developed by HKRITA participated in the 2022 International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, three of which won the Gold Award, while the rest won the Silver Award.
The gold-winning products include bust for breast cancer survivors. Yao Lei, Director (Project Development) of HKRITA, one of the research and development groups, pointed out that most breast prosthesis products on the market in Hong Kong are made according to the weight and body shape of Westerners, and it is often difficult for breast cancer survivors to buy a suitable one. Prosthetic breasts.
The team cooperated with social enterprises of breast cancer patients to investigate the needs of breast cancer survivors in Hong Kong.
Yao Lei hopes that the bust will allow the recovering patients to regain self-confidence, and a more comfortable bust can also speed up recovery.
(Photo by Golden Chess)
Yao Lei said that the rehabilitation bust is tailor-made according to the patient's recovery period, body shape and age, etc., and will first conduct a three-dimensional body scan and breast density test for the recovering patient to understand the degree of unevenness of the wound, and then use 3D printing technology to make it. Chest pad.
The bust is not easy to shift, and it can also balance the weight of the left and right breasts. Yao Lei said that the price of similar products in Europe and the United States is as high as 4,000 to 5,000 yuan. Since the bust accessories are mass-produced and the transportation cost is reduced, the price is only Ten percent of European and American products.
She also pointed out that about 40 recovered patients have tried the product earlier, and it is believed that it can be launched on the market after the epidemic has subsided.
The elastic 3D needle fiber printing technology also won the gold award
The Gold Award winners include "Flexible 3D Needle Fiber Printing Technology" jointly developed by HKRITA, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and InLab Innovation.
Satoshi Ueko, founder of InLab Innovation, said that traditional knitting has only flat surfaces, while 3D knitting printing technology can become three-dimensional, and the same surface can have different hardnesses.
He also said that the technology can handle all processes by machine, which greatly saves manpower and time required, and can also reduce pollution problems.
At present, the team uses technology to make handbags, and plans to make soles in the next stage.
Algae degrading jeans indigo dye wastewater won the silver award
In addition, the indigo dye project using macroalgae to remove denim factory wastewater won the silver award.
The team pointed out that the indigo dye of denim is stubborn and difficult to remove from wastewater. At present, it must be purified with a large amount of chemicals and a lot of energy.
The team used sunlight and macroalgae to remove indigo dye from denim factory wastewater, explaining that enzymes are produced when algae metabolize to biodegrade the dye in wastewater.
According to the experiment, it is only necessary to put the algae into the wastewater for a few hours to see the change, and the purification is completed in about 24 hours, and it can be directly discharged into the environment.
The team also said that because algae use metabolism for purification, no special treatment is required.
Supporting the Home Quarantine Innovation and Technology Commission's "Stay Safe and Anti-epidemic" electronic bracelet won the Gold Award at the Geneva Invention Exhibition Textile and Garment R&D Center won the seventh prize at the Geneva Invention Exhibition Plastic products such as lunch boxes, tableware and other plastic products occur three times within five years of breast cancer. Chemotherapy is devastating to life. A loving mother fights the disease for her two sons. Breast cancer patients are recovering, HKU and volunteer organizations hope to organize 5,000 warm-ups every year