Suture-less Tissue Fixation Using Barbed Mesh Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical procedures for pelvic conditions such as urinary incontinence and prolapse require lengthy suturing processes, which are time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A suture-less method using a mesh or suture line with molded anchors or hooks, such as barbs, that are depth-limited to prevent tissue penetration, allowing for fixation of the mesh to pelvic tissue without sutures, utilizing a fixation tool for proper load application and seating of the hooks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sutures are used to secure the mesh to the vaginal apex, then reliable fixation is achieved, but the surgical procedure time is significantly prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time-consuming suturing operation from the surgical procedure by incorporating pre-formed fixation elements (barbs, hooks, or anchors) directly onto the mesh. These elements are designed to penetrate and secure to the vaginal apex tissue without requiring separate suture placement, thereby eliminating the lengthy suturing step while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation elements are pre-formed and attached to the mesh during manufacturing before the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation allows the elements to be ready for immediate deployment during surgery, eliminating the need for time-consuming intraoperative suturing and reducing overall procedure time while ensuring reliable tissue attachment.
2Strength
If multiple sutures are placed to secure the mesh, then adequate fixation strength is achieved, but the complexity of the surgical procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mesh structure with integrated fixation elements (barbs, hooks, or anchors) that are directly formed on or attached to the mesh. This combination eliminates the need for separate suture materials and suturing operations, reducing surgical complexity while maintaining adequate fixation strength through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation elements are designed to be self-contained and self-sufficient, requiring no additional sutures or external fixation aids. The barbs, hooks, or anchors on the mesh perform the fixation function independently, simplifying the surgical procedure by eliminating multiple suture placement steps and reducing overall procedural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A suture-less pelvic implant system and method is provided for treating pelvic conditions, such as incontinence or vaginal prolapse. The implant can include a fixation portion, rectangular or suture line, having a plurality of fixation elements, e.g., barbs, extending therefrom to fixate within target pelvic tissue, such as the vaginal apex. In a sacralcolpopexy, an opposing end or anchor of the implant is fixated within the sacrum or like structure to stabilize, raise, support or reposition the vaginal apex.