Abdominal Hernia Patch with Absorbable Membrane

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hernia repair materials face issues such as complicated preparation processes, layer separation, poor softness, and controversial anti-adhesion effects, leading to high costs and discomfort due to foreign body sensation and material-related complications like adhesions and infections.

Innovation Solution

A repair material for abdominal wall hernia comprising an absorbable membrane made from a mixed solution of PLCL and MPEG-PLLA copolymer, applied as a coating on a polypropylene mesh, which is press-fitted onto the mesh to form a durable yet absorbable and compliant hernia repair patch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If a non-absorbable mesh is used for hernia repair, then the mesh provides structural support and durability, but organ adhesions occur leading to serious complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of meshVSAvoidorgan adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The repair material is divided into two distinct layers: a non-absorbable polypropylene mesh layer for structural support and an absorbable membrane layer for adhesion prevention. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between durability and adhesion prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining polypropylene mesh with an absorbable membrane made from oxidized regenerated cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. This composite material integrates the advantages of both non-absorbable (strength) and absorbable (anti-adhesion) materials, eliminating the need for additional barrier materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an absorbable membrane is used to prevent adhesions, then adhesion prevention is achieved, but the membrane itself becomes an adhesion source if non-inflammatory absorption is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion preventionVSAvoidself-adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbable membrane undergoes oxidation treatment to modify its chemical structure, transforming it from a potentially inflammatory material to a non-inflammatory absorbable material. This parameter change in the material's chemical composition ensures that the membrane prevents adhesions without causing self-adhesion during its absorption process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a multi-layer mesh with thermal-pressing is used, then binding forces between layers are increased, but the sample is easy to separate and softness is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding force between layersVSAvoidsoftness and compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbable membrane is designed as a thin, flexible film that is pressed onto the mesh surface. This thin-film structure provides sufficient binding force to prevent layer separation while maintaining the softness and compliance needed to match abdominal wall tissue, avoiding foreign body sensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Strength

If chemical reactions and crosslinking agents are used in preparation, then layer binding is achieved, but the process becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayer binding stabilityVSAvoidpreparation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex chemical crosslinking processes with a simpler mechanical thermal-pressing method. The absorbable membrane is bonded to the mesh through heat and pressure without requiring crosslinking agents or polymerization reactions, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining adequate layer binding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10350045B2Repair material with multi-purpose for abdominal wall hernia

Publication Date: 2019.07.16 TRANSEASY MEDICAL TECH

AI summary

A repair material with multi-purpose for an abdominal wall hernia of the present invention relates to a technical field of medical consumables, which includes technical field of medical consumables. In the MPEG-PLLA copolymer, a molecular weight of MPEG is 2000-10000, and a molecular weight of PLLA is 3000-8000. Compared with PLCL, the repair material of the present invention is significantly improved in water absorption of the absorbable membrane to ameliorate healing effects, and a contact angle is greatly reduced. As a result, postoperative abdominal wall compliance is sufficient, which basically provides no discomfort. Therefore, compared with the PLCL, the present invention is more comfortable. In addition, the repair material of the present invention doesn't need to be heat-fitted, and polypropylene is completely fitted with the absorbable membrane, wherein no obvious boundary face is observed through a microscope, and separation never occurred.