Biodegradable Hernia Mesh with Radial Spokes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical meshes for anatomical defects such as hernias face issues with biofilm development, bacterial infection, mesh adhesion to internal organs, and poor mechanical properties, leading to complications and high complication rates.
Innovation Solution
A flexible anatomical defect repair mesh with a substrate comprising radially extending spokes, obliquely extending bridging struts, and optionally expanding elements like resilient ribs or inflatable bladders, designed for percutaneous delivery and expansion to the defect site, providing mechanical support and tissue integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-degradable surgical meshes (PP, e-PTFE) are used, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but biofilm development, bacterial infection, and mesh adhesion to internal organs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-degradable to biodegradable polymers (PLA, PGA, PCL, polyanhydrides) with controlled degradation rates. This parameter change allows the mesh to maintain mechanical strength during the critical healing period and then gradually degrade, eliminating the foreign body that causes biofilm formation and bacterial infection while still providing necessary structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining biodegradable polymer matrices with reinforcing fibers or coatings. This composite approach maintains mechanical strength through the fiber reinforcement while the biodegradable matrix prevents long-term complications associated with permanent synthetic materials by gradually being absorbed by the body.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If non-degradable meshes are used, then long-term structural support is provided, but mesh adhesion to internal organs and erosion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-dependent parameter changes through biodegradation. The mesh provides structural support for a predetermined period (controlled by polymer selection and degradation rate) and then gradually loses mechanical properties as it degrades, eliminating the permanent foreign body that causes adhesion and erosion while maintaining support during the critical healing phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the discarding principle by designing the mesh to be temporarily functional and then discarded through controlled biodegradation. The mesh fulfills its structural support function, facilitates tissue regeneration, and is then gradually absorbed and eliminated by the body, preventing long-term adhesion and erosion complications associated with permanent implants.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lightweight woven meshes are used, then inflammatory response and adhesion are reduced, but capability of withstanding biaxial tension deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures combining biodegradable polymer matrices with high-strength reinforcing fibers arranged in specific architectures. This composite design provides biaxial tension resistance through fiber reinforcement while the biodegradable polymer matrix maintains a lighter weight profile and reduced inflammatory response compared to traditional non-degradable woven meshes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the fiber density, orientation, and material composition in different regions of the mesh to optimize both mechanical strength and biocompatibility. Areas requiring higher tension resistance have denser fiber reinforcement, while other areas maintain lighter construction to minimize inflammatory response, achieving both goals simultaneously through spatially varying properties.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an anatomical defect repair mesh (10) having particular application in hernia repair, the mesh comprising a flexible substrate displaceable between a collapsed state for percutaneous delivery and an expanded state for overlying the anatomical defect and defining an array of substantially radially extending spokes (18), and an array of bridging struts (22) each provided between an adjacent pair of the spokes and extending obliquely thereto, the substrate preferably being cut from a single sheet of flexible material.