Expandable Hernia Prosthesis Delivery via Inflatable Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing soft tissue defects, such as abdominal wall hernias, face challenges in efficiently delivering and positioning implantable prostheses within the intra-abdominal space, particularly in minimizing the size for insertion through small incisions and ensuring accurate placement.
Innovation Solution
An expandable device, such as a balloon or inflatable bladder, is used to carry and deploy a soft tissue repair prosthesis, transforming from a reduced delivery profile to an enlarged shape suitable for the procedure, with detachable loops and tethers for positioning and securing the prosthesis relative to the defect, allowing for precise placement and expansion within the abdominal cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the prosthesis is rolled up or folded into a reduced profile for insertion, then the insertion size is minimized, but the positioning accuracy and deployment control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable device acts as an intermediary carrier that holds the collapsed prosthesis during insertion and then expands to deploy it. This mediator enables the prosthesis to be delivered in a compact form while ensuring accurate positioning through the expandable device's controlled expansion and positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis transitions from a static collapsed state during insertion to an expanded deployed state at the target site. This dynamic transformation allows the prosthesis to minimize insertion profile while achieving proper positioning and deployment configuration.
2Length of moving object
If the prosthesis is inserted through a small incision or trocar, then the invasiveness is reduced, but the ability to manipulate and position the prosthesis is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable device serves as a mediator that can be inserted through the small incision/trocar while providing manipulation capabilities. The device's expandable nature allows it to be delivered through a small opening yet provide sufficient structure and control for positioning the prosthesis accurately at the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the delivery device (expandable device) and the prosthesis. This segmentation allows the delivery device to be optimized for minimal incision access while the prosthesis is optimized for the repair function, with the delivery device providing manipulation capabilities through its expandable structure.
3Area of moving object
If the prosthesis is expanded after insertion, then the coverage area is increased, but the control over expansion and positioning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable device and prosthesis are combined into an integrated system where the expandable device's expansion mechanism is coupled with the prosthesis. This merging ensures that when the expandable device expands, it simultaneously controls and guides the prosthesis expansion, maintaining positioning control while achieving the required coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable device acts as an intermediary that mediates the expansion process of the prosthesis. By controlling the expansion of the expandable device, the operator indirectly controls the prosthesis expansion, maintaining precision and control over the deployment process while achieving full coverage.
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
This approach enables efficient delivery and accurate positioning of the prosthesis, facilitating hernia repair by minimizing the insertion profile, allowing for precise alignment and expansion to cover defects effectively, while allowing for post-placement fixation using sutures or adhesives.
Implementation Method 1
The expandable device has a reduced configuration suitable for introduction to the surgical site and an expanded configuration for deploying, locating and/or positioning the soft tissue repair prosthesis. Expansion of the expandable device, when carrying or otherwise integrated with the soft tissue repair prosthesis, causes the soft tissue repair prosthesis to transform from a reduced delivery profile to an enlarged shape suitable for the desired procedure
Data Source
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AI summary
A hernia repair device is provided which may include a soft tissue repair prosthesis and an expandable device configured to be removably connected with the soft tissue repair prosthesis. When expanded, the expandable device may be configured to position the soft tissue repair prosthesis adjacent a hernia defect. The soft tissue repair prosthesis may include at least one loop or slit configured to receive a portion of the expandable device. The prosthesis may include a tether to hoist, locate or position the soft tissue repair prosthesis. The expandable device may include indicia for positioning the prosthesis relative to the edge of the hernia defect.