Med Tech for Breast Reconstruction

Med tech for breast reconstruction refers to the medical devices and technologies that surgeons use to rebuild the breast after mastectomy or lumpectomy — from implants and tissue expanders to biological matrices, surgical meshes and fat grafting systems. Choosing the right combination of technology is central to a safe procedure and a natural-looking, durable result. This guide explains the main categories of breast reconstruction technology, how they work together, and where Advanced Biomedical Concept’s CE-marked devices, ExaShape and ExaFat, fit within them.

What Is Med Tech for Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is rarely achieved with a single device. A typical implant-based reconstruction combines several technologies: a breast implant or expander to restore volume, a matrix or mesh to support and cover that implant, and often fat grafting to refine contour and soft-tissue quality. “Med tech for breast reconstruction” is the umbrella term for these tools, the great majority of which are regulated in Europe as medical devices under EU MDR 2017/745 and carry CE marking.

Over the last decade the field has shifted decisively toward prepectoral reconstruction — placing the implant above the chest muscle rather than beneath it. That shift was made possible by advances in the supporting technology, especially matrices strong and biocompatible enough to cover an implant without relying on the muscle. Understanding the categories below is the first step to comparing options objectively.

The Main Categories of Breast Reconstruction Technology

Breast implants and tissue expanders

Silicone or saline implants restore breast volume, while tissue expanders are temporary devices that gradually stretch the skin and soft tissue to create space for a permanent implant in a two-stage reconstruction. These are the foundation onto which the other technologies build.

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM)

ADM is a soft-tissue scaffold derived from donated human or animal dermis that has been processed to remove cells, leaving a collagen framework the body can integrate. For years ADM was the default coverage material in prepectoral reconstruction. It is effective but can be costly and supply-constrained, which is part of why alternatives have gained ground.

Biological matrix (bovine pericardium)

A biological matrix is an acellular collagen scaffold used to support and cover the implant. ABC’s ExaShape is derived from bovine pericardium and processed with a multiphasic method designed to inactivate pathogens while preserving the three-dimensional collagen structure and the membrane’s natural biomechanical properties. Pericardium-based matrices are positioned as a biological alternative to dermal ADM — see our detailed biological matrix vs. ADM vs. synthetic mesh comparison.

Synthetic and titanised mesh

Synthetic meshes (including titanium-coated polypropylene) offer a lower-cost, off-the-shelf coverage option with consistent supply. They are fully synthetic rather than biological, which means the body does not remodel them the way it can a collagen matrix — a trade-off surgeons weigh case by case.

Fat grafting systems

Autologous fat grafting harvests a patient’s own fat, processes it, and re-injects it to refine contour, correct rippling and improve soft-tissue coverage over an implant. Purity of the processed fat matters for graft survival. ABC’s ExaFat is a closed-loop “fat dialysis” system designed to remove contaminants while preserving fat integrity for more predictable results.

How the Technologies Work Together

In a modern prepectoral, implant-based reconstruction the implant provides volume, a biological matrix such as ExaShape provides vascularised coverage and support, and fat grafting later refines the soft-tissue envelope. No single device does everything; the quality of the outcome depends on how well the components are matched to the patient and to each other. This is why ABC develops two complementary lines rather than a single product — coverage (ExaShape) and refinement (ExaFat).

The ABC Approach: Two Complementary Technologies

How to Evaluate Breast Reconstruction Technology

When comparing med-tech options for breast reconstruction, surgeons and procurement teams typically weigh:

• Regulatory status: Is the device CE-marked under EU MDR 2017/745, and what is its device class?
• Clinical evidence: Is there peer-reviewed data supporting its safety and performance in breast reconstruction?
• Biological behaviour: Does the material integrate and revascularise, or remain inert?
• Supply and cost: Is it available off the shelf at a predictable cost, or supply-constrained?
• Handling: How does it behave intra-operatively — thickness, drape, suture retention and ease of use?

ABC publishes clinical and regulatory information for its devices in the area for surgeons, and the full range is summarised on the products page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “med tech for breast reconstruction” mean?

It is the collective term for the medical devices and technologies used to rebuild the breast — implants, tissue expanders, acellular dermal matrix (ADM), biological matrices, surgical meshes and fat grafting systems. Most are regulated as medical devices in Europe under EU MDR 2017/745.

What is the difference between a biological matrix and ADM?

Both are acellular collagen scaffolds used to cover and support an implant. ADM is derived from dermis (human or animal), while ABC’s ExaShape biological matrix is derived from bovine pericardium. We compare them in detail on our biological matrix vs. ADM page.

Is ExaShape CE-marked?

Yes. ExaShape is a CE-marked medical device manufactured in Italy and used in prepectoral and subpectoral implant-based breast reconstruction. Regulatory details are available to healthcare professionals in the surgeons’ area.

How does fat grafting fit into breast reconstruction?

Autologous fat grafting refines contour, corrects rippling and improves the soft-tissue envelope over an implant. Graft survival depends on the purity of the processed fat, which is what ExaFat’s closed-loop fat dialysis is designed to optimise.

Which technology is best for prepectoral reconstruction?

Prepectoral reconstruction places the implant above the muscle and therefore relies on strong, biocompatible coverage — typically a biological matrix, ADM or mesh — often combined with fat grafting. The best choice depends on the individual patient; see our prepectoral reconstruction guide.

Where is ABC’s technology available?

Advanced Biomedical Concept is based in Rome and its CE-marked devices are used across more than 20 countries. To see the devices in your practice, request a demo.

This page is intended as general educational information for healthcare professionals and is not medical advice. Product availability, indications and regulatory status vary by country. Clinical decisions should be made by a qualified surgeon based on the individual patient and the applicable instructions for use.