Continuous Ring Hernia Prosthesis with Resilient Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical techniques for hernia repair, particularly inguinal hernias, are not optimal due to the need for discontinuous rings in prostheses, which complicate surgery, increase nerve damage risk, and result in higher post-operative pain and longer operation times.

Innovation Solution

An implantable prosthesis with a continuous support element and a deformed water drop-shaped mesh that provides resilience and memory properties, allowing deformation and return to its initial shape, eliminating the need for fixation to body structures and minimizing complications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a discontinuous ring is used in the prosthesis to allow passage of the spermatic cord, then the prosthesis can accommodate male anatomy, but the ring structure is weakened and requires additional reinforcements that protrude and complicate the design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of spermatic cordVSAvoidring structure with reinforcements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is divided into two separate leafs instead of a single continuous structure. This segmentation allows each leaf to be independently shaped and positioned, with the internal ring providing structural support while the overall design accommodates the spermatic cord passage without requiring additional reinforcements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the ring discontinuous to allow cord passage (prior art approach), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the ring continuous and discontinuous only in the mesh portions. The ring maintains its structural integrity while the mesh areas are strategically placed to accommodate anatomical structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the prosthesis is cut and adjusted during surgery to adapt to the inguinal area, then the shape and size can be perfectly adapted, but the surgical time increases and the risk of nerve damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to inguinal areaVSAvoidsurgical operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is pre-formed with the correct shape and size before surgery, eliminating the need for intraoperative cutting and adjustment. The internal ring provides structural memory that maintains the pre-defined shape, allowing direct implantation and significantly reducing surgical time and nerve damage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the prosthesis from a flat, cuttable sheet to a pre-formed three-dimensional structure with memory properties. This parameter change in shape and structural integrity allows the prosthesis to maintain its optimized geometry during implantation without requiring surgical modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the prosthesis is fixed to body structures using sutures, staples, or tackers, then the prosthesis is secured in place, but the tissue is damaged and post-operative pain increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidtissue damage and post-operative pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis utilizes the body's own tissue growth and healing processes to secure itself in place. The mesh structure allows tissue ingrowth that anchors the prosthesis naturally over time, eliminating the need for external fixation devices and reducing immediate tissue trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthesis employs a flexible mesh structure that can conform to and be held in place by the surrounding tissues through gentle pressure and tissue ingrowth, rather than rigid fixation. This flexible approach reduces the need for penetrating fixation methods that cause tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution reduces nerve damage risk, decreases post-operative pain, and shortens operation time by enabling a more efficient surgical technique with improved access and adjustment, while maintaining the prosthesis in place without the need for sutures or reinforcements.

Implementation Method 1

at least one support element capable of providing properties of resilience/memory to said mesh so as to enable the implantable prosthesis to be deformed and then return to its initial shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilience/memory properties: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9867686B2Implantable hernia prosthesis with an uninterrupted ring

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 BARD SHANNON LTD

AI summary

The implantable hernia prosthesis of the present invention comprises at least one piece of mesh (1) arranged to cover at least a portion of the hernia, at least one support element (2) attached to said piece of mesh (1), said support element (2) comprising at least one resilient, deformable biasing filament, characterized by said support element (2) being an uninterrupted tension providing ring surrounding a portion of said mesh (1) and further comprising an indentation directed towards the center of said ring.