Custom Hernia Mesh via Abdominal Topography Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hernia meshes are standardized and not custom fitted to patients, leading to inefficiencies and complications during surgery, especially in laparoscopic or robotic procedures, as surgeons must manually bend the mesh to fit the abdominal cavity contours.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that use a camera to obtain a real-time representation of the abdominal cavity, create a topographical map, and instruct a machine, such as a 3D printer, to form a custom fitted mesh conforming to the cavity's contours, allowing for precise fitting and omission of hernia defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standardized meshes are used for hernia repair, then manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but surgical efficiency and fitting accuracy deteriorate due to manual bending requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemesh manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh is pre-formed with the specific contour of the patient's abdominal cavity before surgery. A topographical map of the abdominal cavity is obtained and used to create a custom mesh that already matches the required shape, eliminating the need for manual bending during surgery and improving surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh is customized to have different shapes and contours for different patients based on their individual abdominal cavity topography. Each mesh has locally adapted geometry matching the specific anatomical features of the patient's hernia defect area, ensuring optimal fit and healing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If standardized meshes are used for hernia repair, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but surgical time and complexity increase due to manual modification requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If standardized meshes are manually bent to fit patient contours, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision and fitting accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemesh adaptability to patient contoursVSAvoidmesh fitting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of bending mesh is replaced with automated 3D printing or laser cutting processes. These automated systems can precisely form complex contours based on digital topographical maps, achieving superior fitting accuracy compared to manual bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If custom fitted meshes are manufactured for each patient, then fitting accuracy and surgical outcomes are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemesh fitting accuracyVSAvoidcustomization system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh manufacturing process transitions from standardized parameters to patient-specific parameters. Digital topographical maps provide precise geometric data that drives automated manufacturing, allowing customization of mesh shape, size, and contour while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through digital workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20230014454A1Forming a custom fitted mesh based on a topographical map of a patient's abdominal cavity

Publication Date: 2023.01.19 FLORIN JORGE L

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to hernia repair, and more specifically to forming a custom fitted mesh based on a topographical map of at least one portion of a patient's abdominal cavity. Some specific aspects of the present disclosure relate to exemplary methods, systems, devices and computer readable mediums for forming a custom fitted mesh based on a topographical map of the at least one portion of the patient's abdominal cavity.