Barbed Suture Mesh for Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ventral hernias repaired using traditional methods often result in high recurrence rates and significant postoperative pain due to the use of trans-abdominal suture knots and tacks, which can cause discomfort and complications, especially when located over abdominal nerves.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic method and system utilizing a rolled surgical mesh with barbed sutures that are threaded through the abdominal wall, eliminating the need for sub-fascial knots and tacks, and allowing for secure attachment of the mesh without knotting or tacking, thereby reducing surgical time and postoperative pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional trans-abdominal suture knots and tacks are used to secure the mesh, then the mesh can be securely attached to the tissue, but significant postoperative pain is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful element (knots and tacks) from the surgical procedure by using barbed sutures that attach the mesh to the abdominal wall through friction and tissue embedding without requiring sub-fascial knotting or trans-abdominal tacks, thereby eliminating the primary source of postoperative pain while maintaining secure mesh attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the attachment mechanism from mechanical fastening (knots and tacks) to friction-based anchoring with barbed sutures, altering how the mesh is secured to tissue. The barbed suture design with directional barbs creates sufficient holding strength through tissue friction and embedding, replacing the need for painful trans-abdominal fixation methods
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If open surgical repair is performed with large incisions, then the hernia can be accessed and repaired, but the risk of infection and postoperative pain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the mesh and barbed suture system within a laparoscopic delivery device that is inserted through a small incision. The rolled mesh assembly fits inside the trocar device, allowing minimally invasive delivery of the repair materials without requiring large open incisions, thereby reducing infection risk and postoperative pain while maintaining hernia repair capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from open surgical access (large incision in one dimension) to laparoscopic access (small incision with three-dimensional manipulation inside the body cavity). The mesh is delivered through a narrow trocar channel and then deployed and unrolled within the abdominal cavity, enabling hernia repair through a different spatial approach that minimizes tissue trauma
3Strength
If sub-fascial knots are tied to secure the mesh, then the mesh is firmly attached, but the surgical time increases and postoperative pain is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the time-consuming and painful sub-fascial knotting step by using barbed sutures that inherently secure the mesh through their barbed structure. The barbs create friction and mechanical interlocking with the tissue, providing firm attachment without requiring the surgeon to tie multiple knots, thereby significantly reducing surgical time and eliminating knot-related pain
Solution Approach 2:
The barbed suture design allows the mesh to be self-secured to the tissue as the suture is passed through. The barbs automatically engage with the tissue and prevent withdrawal, creating a self-locking mechanism that eliminates the need for additional knotting steps and provides immediate secure attachment during the suturing process
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for the repair of ventral hernias. The method includes the steps of providing a needle; providing a barbed suture having a distal end attached to the needle; providing a surgical mesh; rolling the surgical mesh, the barbed suture, and the needle to form a rolled mesh having the needle oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rolled mesh; transferring the rolled mesh into a body cavity via a laparoscopic device; unrolling and laying the surgical mesh under a ventral hernia in an abdominal wall; threading the needle and barbed suture through the surgical mesh and the abdominal wall; and trimming the barbed suture.