Hernia Mesh Fixation Force Sensing for Shear Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical meshes experience stress concentration in the form of shear forces at fixation points, leading to acute pain and risk of mesh failure without prior warning, which can result in hernia recurrence.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensor assemblies anchored in tissue, featuring a beam and sensors to measure shear forces, integrated with readout electronics to detect and report undue forces, allowing for early detection and prevention of tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If surgical mesh is secured using sutures, adhesive, staples, or tacks, then the mesh provides support to weakened tissue, but stress concentration occurs at fixation points leading to acute pain and risk of mesh failure
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is divided into multiple fixation points distributed across the defect area. Each fixation point independently anchors the mesh to tissue, distributing the overall load and reducing stress concentration at any single location. This segmentation approach maintains strong mesh support while minimizing harmful shear forces at individual attachment points.
2Strength
If mesh tension is increased to improve hernia repair, then the mesh provides better support, but shear forces at fixation points increase leading to tissue damage and mesh failure
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the fixation points during mesh implantation to establish real-time monitoring capability before mesh failure can occur. This preliminary instrumentation allows for continuous assessment of shear forces and early detection of problematic tension levels, enabling preventive intervention before tissue damage or mesh failure happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system provides real-time feedback on shear force magnitudes at fixation points. This feedback mechanism allows clinicians to monitor mesh tension and adjust or reinforce fixation points when abnormal force concentrations are detected, thereby maintaining reliable hernia repair while preventing mesh failure through continuous adaptive monitoring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If more fixation points are used to distribute stress, then shear force at each point decreases, but the complexity of surgery and device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each fixation point is designed as a universal multi-functional element that combines mechanical anchoring capabilities with integrated sensing functionality. This universal design allows the same fixation-point structure to serve both as a mechanical anchor and a sensor platform, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate sensing and fixation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing functionality is merged directly into the fixation point structure itself. By integrating the sensor within or as part of the fixation point, the system eliminates the need for separate sensing devices and complex wiring, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining the ability to monitor shear forces at multiple distributed fixation points.
4Reliability
If sensors are integrated into fixation points to monitor shear forces, then early detection of undue forces is enabled, but the complexity of the device and surgical procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation point structure serves itself by incorporating sensing capabilities directly into its design. The fixation point automatically monitors its own mechanical load conditions without requiring external sensing equipment, thereby enabling reliable mesh failure prevention while minimizing the addition of complex external systems.
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
Enables early detection of undue shear forces, reducing the risk of pain and mesh failure, thereby ensuring safer surgical outcomes by providing real-time monitoring of mesh tension.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor includes a strain gauge configured to measure the shear force applied to the attachment surface of the sensor assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
This document discloses system and method embodiments for measuring shear forces at fixation points of textile-based implants. A system for supporting tissue includes two or more sensor assemblies (110), each sensor assembly (110) including a base portion (116) configured to be anchored in tissue (120), a beam (114) extending away from the base portion (116) toward an attachment surface (112), and a sensor (130) attached to the beam (114) and configured to measure a force applied to the beam (114). The system further includes a mesh (102) configured to be disposed adjacent to the tissue (120), the mesh (102) configured to attach to the attachment surface (112) of each of the sensor assemblies (110) such that mesh tension applies a shear force to the attachment surface (112) of a sensor assembly (110). The system further includes readout electronics configured to receive force information from each sensor assembly (110).