Surgical Mesh Planning Using Tissue Shear Modulus Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgeons face challenges in making informed decisions regarding the use of surgical mesh after laparotomy or ventral hernia repair, including mesh type, size, shape, and fixation, which can affect the efficacy of preventing incisional hernia recurrence.

Innovation Solution

A pre-operative decision support system using shear wave elastography (SWE) to measure abdominal tissue shear modulus, providing recommendations on mesh use, selection, size, shape, and fixation based on individual tissue properties, thereby tailoring decisions to the patient's anatomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical mesh is implanted to prevent incisional hernia, then hernia prevention efficacy is improved, but risk of surgeon error in decision-making increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehernia prevention efficacyVSAvoiddecision-making accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by measuring the shear modulus of abdominal tissue using shear wave elastography and using this measurement to inform the decision regarding surgical mesh implantation. The measured tissue mechanical properties are fed back to the surgeon to guide the decision-making process, reducing uncertainty and improving decision accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective surgeon judgment with objective mechanical measurements of tissue properties. By using shear wave elastography to measure shear modulus, the system substitutes mechanical measurement data for subjective clinical assessment, thereby reducing surgeon error in determining whether mesh implantation is necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If surgeon uses subjective judgment for mesh decisions, then decision-making process is simple, but accuracy of mesh selection decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecision-making simplicityVSAvoidtissue assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for decision-making from subjective clinical assessment to an objective physical parameter (shear modulus). This parameter change enables precise quantification of tissue mechanical properties, improving the accuracy of mesh selection decisions while maintaining operational simplicity through automated measurement and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If standardized mesh implantation protocol is used, then surgical process efficiency is improved, but adaptability to individual patient anatomy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical process efficiencyVSAvoidpatient-specific customization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by measuring shear modulus at specific locations in the abdominal wall and using these localized measurements to guide mesh implantation decisions. The shear wave elastography probe measures tissue properties at the specific surgical site, enabling customized decisions that account for local variations in tissue mechanical properties rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by measuring tissue shear modulus before the surgical incision is made. This pre-operative or intra-operative measurement allows the surgical team to plan mesh implantation strategy in advance, determining the need for mesh, appropriate mesh size, and implantation technique before entering the operating room, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Improves the likelihood of positive surgical outcomes by reducing surgeon error and preventing incisional hernia development or recurrence through personalized mesh recommendations.

Implementation Method 1

receiving at least one shear modulus measurement acquired by shear wave elastography (SWE) that is representative of a shear modulus of abdominal tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear wave elastography: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP4691403A1Support tool for planning use of surgical mesh following laparotomy or ventral hernia repair

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SOFRADIM PRODUCTION SAS

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AI summary

A system for pre-operative decision support includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store a minimum threshold shear modulus or shear modulus range for abdominal tissue of a patient. The processor is configured to execute one or more programs to perform a plurality of operations. These operations include receiving at least one shear modulus measurement acquired by shear wave elastography (SWE) that is representative of a shear modulus of abdominal tissue of a patient within a predetermined distance of a planned abdominal incision, comparing the at least one shear modulus measurement with the minimum threshold shear modulus or shear modulus range, and outputting a recommendation regarding use of a surgical mesh following a laparotomy based upon the comparison.