To answer, scientifically, the question posed much earlier in this thread, about the use of the Noogleberry gauged pump in place of the failed Brava Smartbox/Sportbox: To begin with, vacuum (negative pressure) is expressed in many different units of measurement, and to convert them, one must mathematically use the proper unit conversion factors; luckily, to change from Inches of Mercury (inHg or "Hg)(what the gauge markings on the Noogleberry gauged pump reads) to millimeters of Mercury (what the Brava literature is indicated in) is quite easy - just remember that 1 inch of mercury (inHg/"Hg) is equal to 25.4 mm of mercury (mmHg).
- Per the link http://www.mybrava.com/using-your-graphs.asp it states that the Smartbox does not record the reading unless it senses the vacuum is at least 8 mmHg & that on the pressure graph (computer display of all the recorded Brava Smartbox measurements) the readings (taken automatically at 10 minute intervals) should be in the 15 to 33 mmHg vacuum range (0.59 - 1.30 inHg).
- Per the patent filing for patent # 5536233 http://www.google.com/patents/US5536233 inventor Dr. Roger H Khouri (Brava inventor)
indicates the domes are sufficiently strong to withstand an interior negative pressure of 35 mmHg (1.38 inHg) and that the therapeutic pressure related to the patent methodology is "regulating the vacuum to 35 mm Hg or less"
- Elsewhere, in some clinical trials info I've come across (last updated March 28, 2013 but not published yet (so just enter this: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00466765?displayxml=true ) into your browser & scroll down to the main /bulky paragraph area or do a search on the page (Control-F on my computer) for mmHg); the clinical trial info was for another procedure (I believe also pioneered by Dr. Roger H Khouri - where the vacuum breast tissue expansion precedes and afterwards aids recovery/maintenance of fat tissue grafts, into the breasts, from other body regions) - it indicates "Pressure will range from 15 mmHg to 105mmHg and will be achieved and regulated by either SmartBox, bulb syringe and/or Brava Turbo devices. This will open up the tissue planes and maximally expand the recipient breast in preparation for graft insertion". These reported pressure indications would mean vacuum levels of 0.59 - 4.13 inHg.
- Remember that the traditional (i.e. not combined w/ fat graft) Brava protocol was intended to have the domes worn for 10 hours daily, for 10+ weeks, in order to effect the advertised breast tissue expansion; many Nooglers are apparently going higher in vacuum (negative pressure), for comparatively short daily wear/treatment times, and still reporting resultant tissue expansion. However, without a gauge to accurately indicate on the vacuum pressure that was employed, the data & methodology cannot accurately be transmitted from one user, to be followed & hopefully replicated in another. As well, some are also reporting tissue irritation, discoloration and damage with their high vacuum methodologies, while they were in pursuit of the fastest breast growth. However, I do not recall any of these "damage" reports also containing numeric indications of vacuum level achieved which led to the tissue complications; if it had been reported, the data & report would have been immensely more valuable for other Nooglers.
Personally, I would rather avoid further stretch marks on my body, or any other things which would detract from potential skin health/beauty, including in the breast area. I also feel it is much easier to be safe & consistent in individual treatment applications when vacuum levels are able to be monitored by an instrument wherein accurate perception of vacuum level is not influenced by subjective human physiological factors such as fatigue, hormones, hydration, etc.
Best wishes for all in their safe & comfortable noogling