Heather Tubigan, a 36-year-old from suburban Chicago, was diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a malignant tumor that had spread to her lymph nodes.

In 2020, Tubigan underwent a unilateral mastectomy, expressing gratitude for her surgeon's guidance, which allowed her to maintain some sensation and the ability to breastfeed her newborn daughter.

Recently, Tubigan gave birth to a daughter and emphasized the emotional connection of breastfeeding, highlighting the significant difference in sensation between her two breasts.

Loss of sensation post-mastectomy can profoundly affect intimacy and emotional health, a concern echoed by Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, the principal investigator of the Bionic Breast Project.

Researchers at the University of Chicago are developing an innovative 'bionic breast' device aimed at restoring the sense of touch for mastectomy patients, with clinical trials set to begin in early 2025.

The research focuses on creating a closed system that transmits touch sensations from a flexible sensor to the nerves in the breast, providing a potential solution for various reconstruction options.

The bionic breast device aims to re-establish sensory functions by using small electrodes that stimulate nerves during breast reconstruction.

The project will involve a two-stage clinical trial where participants will have electrodes attached to their nerves to test the restoration of sensation, eventually leading to the implantation of a flexible sensor.

This project, led by Dr. Lindau, received a $3.99 million grant from the National Cancer Institute in summer 2023 and builds on the work of Sliman Bensmaia, who developed prosthetic limbs that restored a sense of touch.

With over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. and more than 100,000 mastectomies performed annually, the bionic breast device has the potential for significant impact.

The vision for the bionic breast project is ambitious, aiming to provide a solution for women suffering from the loss of sensation after mastectomy, with an expected timeline of at least five years for public availability.

Lindau emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of breast sensation loss, drawing parallels to the experience of losing a limb.