ePTFE Sling Anchor Structure for Infection-Resistant Tissue Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polypropylene mesh slings used in pubovaginal sling procedures face issues such as tissue damage during implantation, bacterial penetration leading to infection, degradation over time, and difficulty in surgical removal due to tissue ingrowth, resulting in complications and the need for complex surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic medical sling made of expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) material with a closed structure and biocompatible anchors that resist bacterial invasion, maintain structural integrity, and minimize scar tissue formation, allowing for easy surgical removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polypropylene mesh material is used for sling procedures, then the sling can be anchored to stabilize urethra or bladder, but tissue damage occurs during implantation and bacterial penetration leads to infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) material with controlled porosity to create a sling that provides structural support while resisting bacterial penetration. The porous structure allows for tissue integration without compromising bacterial resistance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining ePTFE material with specific anchor designs to achieve both stabilization function and reduced tissue damage. The composite approach integrates material properties that simultaneously provide structural integrity and biocompatibility.
2Reliability
If polypropylene mesh sling is implanted to provide support, then incontinence is prevented, but degradation occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from polypropylene to ePTFE, which has superior long-term stability and resistance to degradation. This parameter change maintains the incontinence prevention function while significantly extending the duration of action, resolving the contradiction between reliability and durability.
3Strength
If polypropylene mesh sling is used to support bodily tissue, then structural support is provided, but surgical removal becomes difficult due to tissue ingrowth
Solution Approach 1:
The ePTFE material's specific porous structure allows for controlled tissue interaction that provides adequate structural support while preventing excessive tissue ingrowth. This enables the sling to maintain strength for support while facilitating easier surgical removal compared to traditional polypropylene mesh.
4Ease of operation
If traditional polypropylene mesh is used for sling procedures, then the device can be anchored and support offered, but complications arise requiring complex surgeries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction combining ePTFE with specialized anchor designs to simplify the overall surgical procedure. The composite approach integrates multiple functions into a single device that is easier to implant and remove, reducing surgical complexity while maintaining anchoring and support capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor for receiving an end of an article for use as a surgical implant includes a base portion having one or more apertures to receive the end of the article such that the article is secured to the anchor; and a head portion attached to the base portion and extending therefrom, the head portion having a tip and at least two wings extending downward from the tip such that each of the at least two wings end in a wing tip; the head portion is for insertion through bodily tissue via the tip and is to be retained within the bodily tissue via the at least two wings; and the base portion is to retain the article to the bodily tissue.