Self-Gripping Hernia Mesh With Tissue Grips for Suture-Free Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable prostheses for soft tissue and muscle wall defects often require provisional fixation methods like suturing or stapling, which can be cumbersome and may not maintain optimal positioning during tissue integration.
Innovation Solution
An implantable prosthesis with a biologically compatible repair fabric and independently fabricated tissue grips that penetrate and grip tissue, featuring barbs to secure the prosthesis without the need for additional anchoring, allowing for self-gripping and reducing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If provisional fixation methods like suturing or stapling are used, then the prosthesis can be initially secured in place, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and may not maintain optimal positioning during tissue integration
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis incorporates self-gripping tissue grips that automatically penetrate and secure to the tissue without requiring external suturing or stapling devices. The grips are configured to self-anchor through the tissue, eliminating the need for complex provisional fixation procedures while maintaining reliable positioning during tissue integration
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is divided into functional components including a mesh body and separate tissue grip elements. The tissue grips are independently fabricated and attached to the mesh, allowing them to perform the fixation function separately from the structural support function, thereby simplifying the overall fixation procedure
2Reliability
If traditional suturing or stapling methods are used, then the prosthesis can be anchored, but additional anchoring materials and procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue grips are designed to self-anchor to the tissue through their own structural features (barbs, tines, or hooks) without requiring additional anchoring materials such as sutures, staples, or clips. The grips penetrate the tissue and secure themselves through mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for supplementary anchoring substances
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring function is merged into the tissue grip structure itself rather than being a separate requirement. The grips incorporate integrated features (such as barbs extending from the grip body) that combine the anchoring mechanism with the fixation element, reducing the quantity of separate anchoring materials needed
Data Source
AI summary
A self-gripping hernia prosthesis including a layer of repair fabric and a plurality of tissue grips protruding from a surface of the repair fabric. The grip may be fabricated independent of the repair fabric and subsequently attached to the layer of fabric. A backing layer may be employed to secure each grip to the repair fabric. Each base may include a base that is located between the repair fabric and the backing layer. Alternatively, the base may be attached directly to the backing layer. The tissue grips may be configured to minimize entanglement with the repair fabric.