Abstract: Breast reconstruction and/or mastectomy may be performed to treat or prevent breast cancer or for a variety of other purposes. These procedures can result in disruption of the innervation of the breast, leading to loss of sensation. This loss of sensation can lead to diminishment of sexual function, sexual dysfunction, or other undesired effects. Devices and methods are provided for quantitatively assessing the tactile acuity of the breast at multiple locations. These embodiments can be applied to assess the natural acuity of the breast to design or calibrate an implanted system for restoring perception in the post-reconstruction breast. These embodiments can be also applied to assess the change in the perceptual acuity of the breast due to reconstruction or some other surgical intervention.

Abstract: Breast reconstruction and/or mastectomy may be performed to treat or prevent breast cancer or for a variety of other purposes. These procedures can result in disruption of the innervation of the breast, leading to loss of sensation. This loss of sensation can lead to diminishment of sexual function, sexual dysfunction, or other undesired effects. To restore the lost sensory function, an implanted system is provided. The system includes a sensor configured to detect one or more of pressure, stain, or vibration. The detected input is used to determine a stimulus, and the stimulus is provided to one or more of the intercostal nerves to restore sensation.