Gender-Specific Hernia Mesh Barrier for Nerve and Cord Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inguinal hernia repair meshes cause chronic pain and sexual dysfunction due to inflammatory responses and tissue adhesion, with no consideration for the anatomical differences between male and female patients, leading to disparate complications.
Innovation Solution
Designing implantable meshes with a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the mesh and critical structures, such as the spermatic cord or genital nerve, using synthetic, biologic, or hybrid materials, tailored to accommodate the unique anatomy of males and females, reducing inflammatory responses and tissue adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic mesh is used for hernia repair, then hernia recurrence is reduced, but chronic pain and tissue adhesion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is divided into multiple layers: a synthetic mesh layer for structural support and hernia repair, and a separate biologic barrier layer that segments the interaction between the synthetic mesh and surrounding tissues, preventing direct contact and reducing adhesion and chronic pain
Solution Approach 2:
A biologic barrier layer acts as an intermediary between the synthetic mesh and surrounding tissues, preventing direct contact and adhesion while allowing the synthetic mesh to maintain its structural function for hernia repair
2Reliability
If mesh contacts critical structures, then hernia repair is achieved, but sexual dysfunction and nerve damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The biologic barrier layer serves as a protective intermediary between the synthetic mesh and critical structures such as the spermatic cord and genital nerves, preventing direct contact that would cause sexual dysfunction and nerve damage while allowing the mesh to fulfill its hernia repair function
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform mesh design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but anatomical differences between sexes are not accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh system incorporates gender-specific adaptations in the barrier layer configuration - males receive a barrier layer that accommodates the spermatic cord and genital nerves, while females receive a barrier layer designed for their anatomical structures, allowing each to benefit from tailored protection while maintaining overall system simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are gender-specific implantable mesh for inguinal hernia repair in a patient, comprising: a fabric layer comprising a side defining a surface area wherein the fabric layer is configured to enable tissue adhesion to said mesh; an anti-adhesive barrier comprising a shape configured to prevent direct contact between the fabric layer and both a spermatic cord and a genital nerve upon implantation, wherein the shape covers a part of the surface area on the side of the fabric layer, the part being less than 25%, and wherein the shape is oblique to a horizontally-oriented centerline and a vertically-oriented centerline; and a keyhole configured to fit the genital nerve and the spermatic cord of the patient therethrough without constriction, wherein the keyhole is oblique and inferior to a horizontally-oriented centerline and medial to a vertically-oriented centerline.