A nipple simulating the shape, surface geometry and function of a woman's breast is provided. The nipple has a stem and a base. The base has an areola region and a bulbous region. The areola region is positioned between the stem and the bulbous region, and can simulate the areola of a woman's breast. The bulbous region can simulate the region of a woman's breast surrounding the areola. The areola region has a texture or surface geometry that is different from the texture or surface geometry of the stem or bulbous region.
1. A nipple comprising:
a stem having a stem surface with a first surface geometry, said stem having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end including a curved apex surface prior to use, said stem being inwardly tapered from said proximal end toward said curved apex surface;
an areola region having an areola surface with a second surface geometry, said areola region having an outwardly curved shape; and
a bulbous region having a bulbous surface with a third surface geometry, said bulbous region having an outwardly curved shape, and said areola region being disposed between said stem and said bulbous region.
2. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said areola has an areola radius of curvature and said bulbous region has a bulbous radius of curvature, and wherein said areola radius of curvature is different than said bulbous radius of curvature.
3. The nipple of claim 2 , wherein said areola radius of curvature is less than said bulbous radius of curvature.
4. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said second surface geometry is different from at least a portion of said third surface geometry.
5. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said second surface geometry is formed from a process chosen from the group consisting essentially of chemical etching, electrical discharge, machining, and any combinations thereof.
6. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said first surface geometry is smooth.
7. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said third surface geometry is smooth.
8. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said bulbous region simulates the shape, surface geometry and function of a region of the woman's breast surrounding the areola.
9. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said stem, said areola region and said bulbous region are formed from continuous flexible material.
10. The nipple of claim 9 , wherein said flexible material is chosen from the group consisting essentially of silicone, latex, rubber, and any combinations thereof.
11. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said areola region has a radius of curvature of about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches.
12. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said bulbous region has a radius of curvature of about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.
13. The nipple of claim 1 , further comprising a securing structure connected to said bulbous region.
14. The nipple of claim 13 , wherein said securing structure is a flange extending outwardly from said bulbous region.
15. The nipple of claim 14 , wherein said flange has an annular channel formed therein.
16. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said areola surface has an indiscrete rough texture.
17. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said stem has a length of about 0.50 inches to about 1.25 inches.
18. The nipple of claim 1 , wherein said stem is tapered.
19. A nipple comprising:
a stem having a stem surface with a first surface geometry, said stem having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end including a curved apex surface prior to use, said stem being inwardly tapered from said proximal end toward said curved apex surface;
an areola region having an areola surface with a second surface geometry, said areola region having an outwardly curved shape; and
a bulbous region having a bulbous surface with a third surface geometry, said bulbous region having an outwardly curved shape, said areola region being disposed between said stem and said bulbous region, wherein at least a portion of said second surface geometry is different from at least a portion of said first surface geometry.
20. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said areola region and said bulbous region have an outwardly curved shape, and wherein said areola region has a second radius of curvature and said bulbous region has a third radius of curvature different than said second radius of curvature.
21. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein at least a portion of said second surface geometry is different from at least a portion of said third surface geometry.
22. The nipple of claim 21 , wherein said third surface geometry is smooth.
23. The nipple of claim 21 , wherein said second surface geometry is dimpled.
24. The nipple of claim 21 , wherein said first surface geometry is smooth.
25. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said second surface geometry is formed from a process chosen from the group consisting essentially of chemical etching, electrical discharge, machining, and any combinations thereof.
26. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said stem, said areola region and said bulbous region are integrally formed from a flexible material.
27. The nipple of claim 26 , wherein said flexible material is chosen from the group consisting essentially of silicone, latex, rubber, and any combinations thereof.
28. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said areola region has a radius of curvature is about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches.
29. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said bulbous region has a radius of curvature is about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.
30. The nipple of claim 19 , further comprising a securing structure connected to said bulbous region.
31. The nipple of claim 30 , wherein said securing structure is a flange extending outwardly from said bulbous region.
32. The nipple of claim 31 , wherein said flange has an annular channel formed therein.
33. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said stem has a length of about 0.50 inches to about 1.25 inches.
34. The nipple of claim 19 , wherein said stem is tapered.
35. A nipple comprising:
a stem region having smooth texture, said stem having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end including a curved apex surface prior to use, said stem being inwardly tapered from said proximal end toward said curved apex surface;
an areola region having an outer surface comprising a rough texture, said areola region having an outwardly curved shape; and
a third region having a smooth texture, said third region having an outwardly curved shape, and said areola region being disposed between said stem and third regions.
36. The nipple of claim 35 , wherein said rough texture is formed from a process chosen from the group consisting of chemical etching, electrical discharge, machining, and any combinations thereof.
37. The nipple of claim 35 , wherein said rough texture is formed during molding of the nipple.
38. The nipple of claim 35 , wherein said outer surface of said areola region further comprises a plurality of dimples.
39. The nipple of claim 35 , wherein said outer surface of said areola region further comprises a plurality of ribs.