Fortified mesh for tissue repair

Abstract

A mesh to repair a hole in a muscle wall includes a resilient mesh body and fortifying structure such as mesh portions of thicker weave than other portions, or strengthening members that can be engaged with the mesh and then removed from the mesh once the mesh is place over the hole. The same principles can be applied to a plug that is engaged with the mesh for filling the hole.

Description

[0001]Priority is claimed to U.S. provisional application 61 / 024,489, filed Jan. 29, 2008 and to U.S. provisional application 61 / 097,756, filed Sep. 17, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the repair of defects in muscular structures, and more particularly to repairing hernias.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A hernia is a condition in which part of the intestine bulges through a weak area in muscles of the abdomen. The main treatment for inguinal hernia is surgery to block the protrusion of abdominal content through the muscle wall. This surgery is called herniorrhaphy, and typically involves suturing the muscle layers and fascia together to reinforce the wall or blocking the defect with a flat polypropylene mesh.[0004]As understood herein, the mesh must be sufficiently flexible and resilient to be pushed through a hole in a muscular wall for, e.g., hernia repair, pelvic floor prolapse, and other muscular repairs, and then assume a flat confi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]As critically recognized herein, current meshes may not completely unfold into a flat configuration after being pushed through the muscle wall, and this condition is difficult to identify and / or remedy owing to poor visibility and / or access of the posterior side of the wall. As further recognized herein, increasing the resiliency of the mesh by increasing the filament diameter throughout the mesh can decrease the resiliency of the mesh and moreover increases the mass of the mesh to the point where tissue reaction with the mesh can increase undesirably.

[0012]In another aspect, a device to repair a hole in a muscle wall includes a resilient mesh body and fortifying structure. The fortifying structure may be mesh portions of greater thickness than portions of the mesh body, effectively forming ribs to provide greater strength to provide a leaf spring-like force without having to use a separate leaf spring, which might otherwise break away or fracture. Alternatively the fortifying structure may be strengthening members engaged with the mesh body and removable from the mesh body once the mesh is placed over the hole.

Problems solved by technology

As critically recognized herein, current meshes may not completely unfold into a flat configuration after being pushed through the muscle wall, and this condition is difficult to identify and / or remedy owing to poor visibility and / or access of the posterior side of the wall.

As further recognized herein, increasing the resiliency of the mesh by increasing the filament diameter throughout the mesh can decrease the resiliency of the mesh and moreover increases the mass of the mesh to the point where tissue reaction with the mesh can increase undesirably.

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