Against the background of the scandal about low-grade silicone breast implants of the French manufacturer Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), several types of implants were examined using (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The intention was to classify an implant according to its silicone structure. Therefore, the certificated raw material of the American silicone producer Nusil Technology was analyzed and used as a reference. The list of tested implants consists of implants by PFM medical, PIP, Silimed, Rofil, Eurosilicone, Mentor, Perouse Plastie, Polytech, Nagor, CUI, and McGhan. In the (1)H NMR spectrum the signal of the vinyl group, which is used to cross link silicone rubbers, is visible. It is possible to differentiate between silicones which have a vinyl terminated end group and silicones whose vinyl group is located within the chain of the polymer. The two different types of the vinyl group are one mean to classify the implants. Other categories besides the type of vinyl include the relative amount of the remaining vinyl in the implant and the chemical structure of the material used for the production of the envelope. With these characteristics the examined implants could be grouped into four types.
Keywords: (1)H NMR spectroscopy; Breast implants; PIP; Silicone.
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