Biodegradable Hernia Repair Laminate for Tissue In-Growth and Adhesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mesh materials for hernia repair, such as polypropylene and Gore-Tex, either form adhesions with abdominal viscera or fail to adhere well to the abdominal wall, and are not biodegradable, necessitating surgical removal.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable polyurethane laminate comprising a foam layer with a pore structure for cellular infiltration and a barrier layer with a less adherent surface to prevent adhesions, allowing tissue integration while resisting adhesion to sensitive organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polypropylene mesh is used for hernia repair, then the mesh provides strong reinforcement and adheres well to the abdominal wall, but it forms postoperative adhesions with abdominal viscera and is not biodegradable
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is divided into two distinct layers: a polypropylene layer for strong abdominal wall adhesion and a barrier layer for adhesion prevention against viscera. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the drawbacks of the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining polypropylene material with a barrier material (such as PTFE, ePTFE, or other adhesion-resistant materials). This composite approach integrates the strengths of both materials while eliminating their individual weaknesses.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If Gore-Tex material is used to prevent adhesions, then postoperative adhesions are reduced, but the material is not hemostatic and not biodegradable
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier layer is separated from the hemostatic polypropylene layer, allowing the polypropylene to provide hemostatic function while the barrier layer focuses on preventing adhesions. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between adhesion prevention and hemostatic capability.
3Strength
If heavy-weight mesh is used to ensure strong adherence to the abdominal wall, then adhesion strength is improved, but dense adhesions with viscera are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh structure is segmented into a heavy-weight polypropylene layer for strong abdominal wall adherence and a separate barrier layer that prevents dense adhesion formation with viscera. This allows heavy-weight properties to be used without the harmful side effects.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a barrier layer is added to prevent adhesions, then adhesion resistance is improved, but tissue infiltratability of the prosthesis is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is segmented into a barrier layer for adhesion resistance and a tissue infiltratable polypropylene layer for tissue integration. This segmentation ensures that the barrier layer does not interfere with tissue infiltration while still providing adhesion protection.
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
The laminate promotes tissue regeneration, reduces post-operative adhesions, maintains mechanical strength, and degrades naturally, eliminating the need for surgical removal.
Implementation Method 1
the foam layer comprises a pore structure configured for cellular infiltration
Implementation Method 2
the second major surface of said barrier layer is less adhesiogenic than the first major surface of said foam layer
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided tissue repair laminates which promote cellular in-growth but also prevent or mitigate tissue adhesion. The laminates comprise a biodegradable polyurethane foam layer which facilitates cellular infiltration and a polyurethane barrier layer which is non-adhesive to tissue. The laminates resist shrinkage under in vivo conditions and possess desirable mechanical properties. The laminates find use in, for example, the repair of herniated tissue, particularly, but not limited to hernias in the abdominal wall.