Biodegradable Mesh Implant for Hernia Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mesh implants for soft tissue repair, particularly in hernia repair, face challenges such as foreign body reactions, limited cell growth stimulation, and inadequate mechanical strength due to non-degradable materials, while fully absorbable meshes may degrade too quickly, leading to hernia relapse under stress.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable polymeric carrier mesh with a sponge-like structure and hydrophilic properties, seeded with fibroblasts, which promotes tissue ingrowth and scar formation, providing temporary support until fully absorbed, thus preventing recurrent hernias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-absorbable mesh implants are used, then mechanical strength and stability are improved, but foreign body reactions and inflammation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-absorbable to absorbable polymer, transforming the mesh from permanent to temporary support structure. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the foreign body reaction while maintaining mechanical strength during the critical healing period through controlled degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh implant is designed to be temporarily retained and then discarded through controlled biodegradation. The absorbable polymer provides mechanical support during wound healing and then gradually degrades, eliminating the need for permanent foreign material in the body while maintaining strength when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fully absorbable mesh implants are used, then foreign body reactions are reduced, but mechanical strength decreases due to rapid degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the degradation rate parameter of the absorbable polymer to match the wound healing timeline. By controlling the polymer composition and structure, the mesh maintains mechanical strength throughout the healing process and then degrades at an appropriate rate, preventing both premature failure and prolonged foreign body presence.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If non-absorbable mesh implants are used, then long-term structural support is improved, but cell growth stimulation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from permanent to temporary support duration, aligning the mesh presence with the active wound healing phase. The absorbable polymer provides structural support during cell infiltration and tissue regeneration, then degrades to allow complete tissue integration and eliminate long-term barriers to cell growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh is temporarily retained to provide structural support during cell growth and tissue regeneration, then discarded through biodegradation. This timing allows the mesh to facilitate healing while eliminating long-term obstacles to complete tissue integration and cell proliferation.
4Loss of substance
If absorbable polymer mesh is used, then foreign material retention is reduced, but degradation rate may be too fast under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the degradation rate parameter of the absorbable polymer to ensure it matches the timeline of tissue strength development. The mesh degrades slowly enough to maintain reliability under physiological stress during healing, while still achieving complete absorption to eliminate foreign material retention in the long term.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mesh implant facilitates rapid and stable closure of soft tissue defects by enhancing cell penetration and adhesion, forming a strong scar plate that withstands stress, with no permanent foreign material left in the body after degradation.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing cell penetration and adhesion
Implementation Method 2
promotes tissue ingrowth and scar formation
Implementation Method 3
biodegradable polymeric carrier mesh made of at least a first polymer comprising polylactic acid as a main component and a second polymer comprising polyglycolic acid
Implementation Method 4
biodegradable and absorbed within the patient's body
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B~3C
Figure 4A~5A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biodegradable mesh implant for use in soft tissue repair, in particular surgical hernia, chronic wound healing or fistula repair, within the body of a patient. The mesh implant comprises a porous, hydrophilic biodegradable polymeric carrier mesh (10) and fibroblasts (16) on or within the polymeric carrier mesh. The carrier mesh (10) comprises a sponge-like structure with interconnected pores of different sizes, it has a water contact angle of less than 75° and is made of at least a first polymer comprising polylactic acid as a main component.