Barbed Loop Tissue Fixation Device for Hernia Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing surgical mesh during hernia repair, such as using stay sutures, are time-consuming and can cause pain due to abdominal wall and nerve compression.
Innovation Solution
A tissue fixation device with an elongated body and barbed loops, made from biocompatible materials, that securely fastens surgical mesh to tissue without the need for knots, reducing compression and simplifying the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stay sutures are used to secure surgical mesh, then the mesh is firmly fixed to the abdominal wall, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and causes pain due to tissue compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the knot-tying step from the traditional suture process by using pre-formed loops with barbs that automatically engage with tissue. The suture thread is designed with integrated fixation elements (barbs on loops) that eliminate the need for manual knot tying, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining fixation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed loops are designed to self-anchor into the tissue through their barb structures. When the suture thread is passed through the abdominal wall, the barbs on the loops automatically engage with the tissue and lock in place without requiring additional manipulation or knot tying by the surgeon, making the fixation process self-service and time-efficient
2Reliability
If stay sutures are tied down with knots, then the mesh is secured against the peritoneum, but acute and chronic pain occurs due to nerve compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the knot-tying operation from the fixation process. Instead of compressing tissue with a tied knot, the barbed loops are pulled through the tissue and the barbs anchor themselves, distributing pressure along the suture thread rather than concentrating it at a single knot point, thereby reducing nerve compression and pain
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameter of force distribution by replacing point-compression knots with distributed barbed anchoring. The barbs on the loops distribute the fixation force along multiple contact points with the tissue, reducing peak compression pressure on nerves and blood vessels while maintaining overall fixation reliability
3Reliability
If multiple stay sutures are placed around the mesh perimeter, then the mesh is securely fixed, but the complexity and duration of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fixation functions into a single suture thread by incorporating multiple barbed loops along its length. Instead of placing and tying separate sutures at different locations, the surgeon uses one continuous suture thread with multiple pre-formed barbed loops that can be sequentially engaged with the mesh and tissue, simplifying the procedure while maintaining secure fixation around the mesh perimeter
Data Source
Figure 1A~2E
Figure 3A~7
Figure 8A~8G
AI summary
A tissue fixation device includes an elongated body extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion including a plurality of barbed loops. The elongated body, proximal portion, and distal portion are provided in a variety of configurations depending upon the performance requirements desired of the tissue fixation device for the envisaged application of use.