MULTINUCLEAR SOLID-STATE NMR-SPECTROSCOPY OF ENVELOPES FROM VIRGIN AND EXPLANTED SILICONE BREAST PROSTHESES - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

The structure and dynamics of silicone envelopes from virgin and expla nted breast prostheses have been studied by H-1, C-13, and Si-29 high- resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy, The results indicate that thi s combination of techniques can be used to unambiguously identify the presence of methyltrifluoropropylsiloxane units and diphenylsiloxane u nits at concentrations of about 2.0% and 3.5%, respectively, in some o f the envelopes, The presence of about 10% silica also was detected an d a trace of lipids was found in the explanted silicone envelopes. We have also measured the proton T-2 and T-1 relaxation times of the enve lopes to characterize the dynamics of the silicone in the envelopes.