Breast Cancer Survivor Finally Heals With BLOOM⁴³
Patient Stories: How MedTech Innovator alumni are transforming lives At MedTech Innovator, we empower healthtech companies to bring groundbreaking solutions to patients in need. Our Patient Stories series highlights the real-world clinical impact of the companies we support—showcasing how their technologies are transforming patient care, improving outcomes, and advancing healthcare. BLOOM⁴³ by Plexāā was a participant in the 2024 MedTech Innovator cohort.
Breast Cancer Survivor Finally Heals With BLOOM⁴³
How Supraphysiological Preconditioning™ Helped One Woman Take Back Control of Her Surgical Journey
Breast surgery, whether clinical, reconstructive, or cosmetic, carries significant risks that can profoundly affect patient outcomes. Soft tissue infection can occur in up to 30% of breast reconstruction procedures, often requiring antibiotics, hospitalization, or reoperation.¹, often delaying cancer treatments like chemotherapy and/or radiation. Among the most concerning risks is skin necrosis, a condition that occurs when compromised blood flow leads to tissue death. Necrosis not only delays healing but can necessitate further surgeries, raise treatment costs, and increase physical and emotional distress.
For many patients, these complications aren’t just medical events; they disrupt quality of life, confidence, and the sense of progress in their breast-health journeys.
Nichole’s Story: A Survivor Seeking Better Outcomes
Nichole, a 45-year-old breast cancer survivor, knows this struggle intimately. Diagnosed at just 36 with stage 1 ER/PR+ invasive ductal carcinoma, she underwent a double mastectomy, followed later by a DIEP flap reconstruction using her own tissue. Over the course of her treatment, she endured eight breast surgeries, and three resulted in healing complications, including episodes of skin necrosis.
Each setback affected more than just her physical recovery. It impacted her daily life, her emotional well-being, and her self-esteem. After nearly a decade of navigating the complexities of cancer survivorship, Nichole was determined to approach her next surgery differently.
She became the first patient in the United States to use BLOOM⁴³ as part of her preoperative preparation, a decision that changed everything.
A New Path: Prehab With BLOOM⁴³
The night before her surgery, Nichole completed a three-hour preconditioning cycle with the BLOOM⁴³ device. This innovative technology uses Supraphysiological Preconditioning, a gentle, evidence-based technique that precisely warms the skin at the intended surgical site.
This controlled warmth stimulates the release of heat shock proteins, which enhance blood flow, increase tissue resilience, and support the body’s natural ability to heal.
BLOOM⁴³ is fully wearable, non-invasive, and drug-free. Key features include:
- Ultra-precise, sensor-controlled thermal preconditioning
- Hands-free, portable form factor
- Free DHAF- and ORCHA-certified BLOOM⁴³ companion app, featuring the world’s largest repository of evi
dence-based breast surgery content, personalized Prehab™ and rehab programs, and a supportive patient community - Utilizes the power of Supraphysiological Preconditioning™ which has been clinically proven to:
- Boost tissue blood flow and resilience
- Decrease the absolute risk of skin necrosis by 24%²
- Reduce the number of required follow-up surgeries by 50%³
- Reduce outpatient follow-ups by 70%³
- The BLOOM⁴³ device is HSA & FSA eligible and can be ordered through the free BLOOM⁴³ app in the US. For Nichole, the benefits went beyond the physiological. The combination of the device and its integrated app gave her guidance, reassurance, and clarity at a time when patients often feel powerless.
Outcome: A Smooth Recovery, Finally
Nichole’s surgery was successful, with no complications. She healed quickly, returning to work within just a few days and resuming normal activities within weeks. For the first time in years of surgeries, she moved through her recovery with confidence instead of fear.
Most importantly, she felt empowered.
“The hardest part about having cancer is losing control. As a nine-year breast cancer survivor, my journey has included eight breast surgeries. Three of those surgeries resulted in healing complications, including skin necrosis,” said Nichole W. Owens. “By using the BLOOM⁴³ device before my most recent surgery, I felt empowered and prepared because I had done everything I could to have a successful outcome.”
A New Standard for Patient Preparedness
Nichole’s experience highlights the potential of BLOOM⁴³ to meaningfully change surgical journeys, particularly for individuals who have faced complications, trauma, or setbacks in the past. By enhancing tissue readiness and giving patients an active role in their pre-surgical care, BLOOM⁴³ represents a promising shift in perioperative support.
For survivors like Nichole, it’s more than technology. It’s hope, control, and a path to healing that finally moves forward.
About Plexāā
Plexāā is a brand-new Prehab™ tech platform revolutionizing the underserved pre-op phase. By combining preconditioning with our BLOOM⁴³ medical device and prehabilitation with the complimentary app, we prepare patients before surgery to improve patient experience and drive significantly better outcomes. Learn more and download the free app at bloom43.com.
About MedTech Innovator
MedTech Innovator is the world’s largest accelerator of medical device, digital health, and diagnostic companies. Its mission is to improve human health by accelerating the growth of companies that are transforming patient care. MTI has been a catalyst for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, sourcing nearly 14,000 applicants and fostering the growth of over 800 graduates. MTI alumni companies have collectively raised $10.3 billion in follow-on funding and introduced 360+ products to the market, improving the health of millions worldwide.
References
1 Annals of Translational Medicine, Dec 2023, Management of complications following implant-based breast reconstruction: a narrative review, Dean H. Meshkin1^, Joseph M. Firriolo1, Nolan S. Karp2, Ara A. Salibian1
2 J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2013 Dec;66(12):1676-82. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2013.07.034. Epub 2013 Sep 4. Local heat preconditioning in skin sparing mastectomy: a pilot study
Saahil Mehta 1, Rachel Rolph, Victoria Cornelius, Yves Harder, Jian Farhadi
3 Mehta, S., Cro, S.C., Coomber, B. et al. A randomized controlled feasibility trial to evaluate local heat preconditioning on wound healing after reconstructive breast surgery: the preHEAT trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 5, 5 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0392-y
