Hernia Repair Mesh Helical Deployment via Inflatable Balloon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hernia repair techniques using meshes often fail to ensure even, complete, and smooth deployment without wrinkles and full anchoring to the abdominal wall, requiring multiple apertures and lengthy healing times.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a collapsible mesh rolled in an elongate open-bored applicator with an inflatable balloon for helical deployment and anchoring, using a maneuverable pistol and handle to insert and fasten the mesh through a single small-bore opening, ensuring parallel alignment and secure attachment to the abdominal wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mesh is inserted via laparoscopic technique requiring multiple punctures, then mesh can be implanted, but healing time increases and patient suffering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is segmented into multiple sections that can be deployed sequentially through a single puncture site. The applicator device divides the implantation process into stages: inserting the applicator through one puncture, deploying the first mesh section, then deploying subsequent sections without requiring additional punctures, thereby reducing healing time while maintaining anchoring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator serves as an intermediary device that enables mesh delivery through a single puncture site. This intermediary tool allows the mesh to be threaded and deployed through the abdominal wall without requiring multiple direct punctures, thus reducing patient trauma and healing time while ensuring proper mesh placement and anchoring
2Loss of time
If mesh is inserted through single small-bore opening, then healing time reduces, but mesh deployment becomes difficult without wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator employs dynamic expansion mechanisms where the mesh transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during deployment. The applicator itself may expand or change configuration to facilitate smooth mesh ejection, ensuring the mesh emerges without wrinkles despite the constrained single-puncture pathway, thus achieving both rapid healing and precise deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh is delivered through a single puncture by utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the applicator channel. The mesh is fed through the applicator in a collapsed state along its length, then deployed by expanding it within the abdominal cavity, effectively using the third dimension (length of applicator) to overcome the limitation of the small puncture opening, ensuring smooth deployment without wrinkles
3Reliability
If mesh is deployed helically, then mesh anchors securely to abdominal wall, but deployment mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is designed with self-anchoring features that activate automatically upon deployment. The helical deployment pattern is achieved through the mesh's own structural properties and the mechanics of ejection from the applicator, rather than requiring complex active control mechanisms. The mesh self-organizes into the helical configuration as it is pushed through the applicator and releases, securing itself to the abdominal wall without additional complex anchoring devices
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical anchoring system is replaced by utilizing the natural elastic recovery and shape-memory properties of the mesh material. Instead of complex mechanical anchors or fasteners, the mesh's inherent material properties enable it to snap into place and adhere to the abdominal wall when deployed helically, simplifying the overall deployment mechanism while maintaining secure anchoring
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 method allows for efficient, smooth, and secure mesh deployment and anchoring to the abdominal wall, reducing healing time and ensuring effective hernia repair through a single small-bore insertion.
Implementation Method 1
inflating said balloon to a predetermined size, hence thrusting optionally while fastening the mesh to the posterior abdominal wall
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for treating hernia by implanting at least one collapsible hernia repair patch, such as a planar mesh body at least partially enveloped by one or more elastic collars. A posterior end of an applicator carrying the repair patch may be inserted through a hernia and into the wall of the abdominal cavity, and the patch may be released into the cavity, e.g., so as to helically deploy the patch such that the patch lies in parallel to the abdominal wall. A balloon, which is removably attached to the patch, may be inflated to help move the patch to a deployed configuration, and thereafter the balloon removed from the hernia site.