Hernia Repair Device Telescoping Mesh Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hernia repair techniques face challenges in achieving sufficient structural integrity and minimizing the need for lateral incisions, as loose or flaccid mesh may not provide adequate tension and fixation over the cylindrical, concave abdominal wall, often requiring future revision surgery.

Innovation Solution

A hernia repair device with a main body featuring longitudinally extending slots and a central shaft with retractable flanges, suture needle ports, and adjustable suture needles, allowing for direct tensioned deployment and fixation of a hernia mesh at the implantation site with minimal invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If planar mesh is introduced via lateral incisions and stretched over the herniation site, then the mesh can be affixed to the parietal peritoneum layer, but the procedure requires multiple lateral incisions and complex maneuvering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical access complexityVSAvoidlateral incision requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of introducing the mesh laterally and stretching it to the herniation site, the invention inverts the approach by introducing the mesh through a distal opening at or near the herniation site and deploying it in a telescoping manner from the distal end toward the proximal end, eliminating the need for lateral incisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh is folded or rolled into a compact configuration that fits within a delivery catheter, allowing it to be introduced through a single small incision. The mesh then unfolds or unrolls in a controlled manner at the target site, similar to a nested doll emerging from its container

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If mesh is deployed without sufficient tension, then the deployment process is simpler, but the mesh lacks structural integrity and may require future revision surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidhernia repair durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh delivery system incorporates a telescoping mechanism with controlled expansion. The mesh transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, with the ability to adjust tension dynamically during deployment to ensure proper fit and structural integrity while maintaining deployment simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the mesh during deployment, transitioning from a compact, low-volume configuration to an expanded, high-tension configuration. The mesh can be adjusted to optimal tension levels after deployment, ensuring both ease of deployment and long-term reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If umbrella-like structures are used for direct insertion, then lateral incisions are minimized, but relatively large free volumetric space is required between the viscera and body cavity walls for deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral incision minimizationVSAvoidfree volumetric space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of deploying the mesh in a single dimension (as with umbrella structures that require radial expansion), the invention uses a telescoping deployment along the longitudinal axis of the catheter. This dimensional change allows deployment in constrained spaces where there is insufficient radial clearance for traditional umbrella structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of manufacture

If mesh is not properly affixed to the parietal peritoneum layer, then the affixation process is simpler, but the mesh cannot inhibit ex-filtration of internal organ tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaffixation complexityVSAvoidex-filtration prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh delivery system incorporates self-anchoring features such as barbs or gripping surfaces that automatically engage with the parietal peritoneum layer during the telescoping deployment process. The system performs its own affixation function without requiring separate complex suturing or stapling procedures, achieving both simplicity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11406374B2Hernia repair device

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 I360MEDICAL LTD

AI summary

A hernia repair device including a main body, a plurality of suture needle ports, a plurality of suture needles and a central shaft. The central shaft includes a retractable distal flange disposed at a distal end portion of the central shaft and defines a central channel extending through the main body. The suture needle ports are adjustable between a first configuration in which the suture needle ports are housed entirely within the main body and a second configuration in which the suture needle ports partially extend from the distal end portion of the main body. The suture needles are adjustable between a first configuration in which the suture needles are housed entirely within the suture needle ports and a plurality of second configurations in which the suture needles partially extend from distal end portions of the suture needle ports. A hernia repair mesh is attached to the plurality of suture needles.