Dynamic Biometric Mesh for Hernia Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventral hernia meshes are static, non-biocompatible, and fail to account for tensional integrity, leading to high recurrence rates, chronic pain, and inflammation due to their stiff design and inability to dissipate tensile forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic biometric mesh with radial members and catenaries that form a structurally stable, pliable system, capable of pre-tensioning and adapting to tissue movement, made from biocompatible materials with elastic properties and customizable to match the hernia defect, using 3D printing and incorporating autologous mesenchymal stem cells to enhance tissue integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stiff and static meshes are used to prevent abdominal bulges, then structural stability is improved, but tensile force dissipation deteriorates leading to anchoring point failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the mesh from a static structure to a dynamic one through the inclusion of elastic catenaries that can stretch and retract. These catenaries allow the mesh to adapt its tension dynamically in response to physiological movements and forces, enabling both structural stability and effective tensile force dissipation across the abdominal wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the elastic properties of different components. The catenaries have defined stretch characteristics that differ from the radial members, creating a system with graded mechanical properties. This allows the mesh to optimize both stability and force distribution by having components with different elasticity parameters.
2Strength
If large mass of mesh material is used to provide structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but scar formation and abdominal wall stiffness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible shells and thin films by employing a lightweight mesh architecture composed of thin radial members and catenaries. This flexible structure provides sufficient mechanical strength through its geometric configuration and elastic properties rather than material mass, thereby minimizing scar formation and abdominal wall stiffness while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining radial members with catenaries having different elastic properties. This composite structure achieves optimal mechanical strength-to-weight ratio, where the combination of rigid radial elements and flexible catenaries provides both structural support and tissue compatibility, reducing harmful scarring effects.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-biocompatible materials are used in mesh construction, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but chronic inflammatory responses worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting materials with specific biocompatibility parameters. The mesh components are constructed from materials whose chemical composition and surface properties are optimized for biological compatibility, eliminating chronic inflammatory responses while maintaining ease of manufacture through available biocompatible material options.
4Stability of the object's composition
If static load bearing systems are used for mesh repair, then structural support is improved, but integration with biologic tissue deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating a dynamic mesh system where elastic catenaries enable continuous adaptation to tissue movement and physiological changes. This dynamic behavior allows the mesh to maintain structural support while integrating seamlessly with living tissue, as the catenaries can stretch and retract with tissue motion rather than resisting it rigidly.
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 effectively dissipates dynamic forces, reduces recurrence rates, minimizes chronic pain and inflammation, and integrates seamlessly with biologic tissues, providing customized support and stabilization for ventral abdominal hernias and breast tissue.
Implementation Method 1
Each catenary has zero tension in a flat plane when formed as a mesh. The dynamic biometric mesh of at least one embodiment has one or more catenaries with a positive sag or hang (a), (a) being a drop or sag between a straight line passing through the fixed ends at the radial member. Preferably all of the catenaries are elastic having a defined stretch under tension. Similarly it is preferred that the radial members are elastic having a defined stretch under tension.
Implementation Method 2
Existing ventral hernia mesh technologies are biased in design as static load bearing systems, and fail to account for tensional integrity, or tensegrity; a model more appropriate to biologic systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic biometric mesh (10) has a plurality of radial members (30) and a plurality of catenaries (20). Each catenary (20) extends between and is fixed to at least one pair of adjacent radial members (30). The plurality of catenaries (20) and radial members (30) form a low mass structural system arranged in an architecture configured to be structurally stable in tension and pliable for deployment and integration with biologic tissue.