Laparoscopic Mesh Positioning System for Hernia Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laparoscopic hernia repair procedures require multiple incisions and sutures to secure tissue repair implants, leading to trauma, scarring, and increased risk of infection, as well as longer operation times and prolonged recovery.
Innovation Solution
A novel mesh positioning system with a bar member and surgical suture assembly that allows for the securement of a tissue repair implant in a flat configuration over the hernia defect without the need for conventional stay sutures, using a surgical needle and suture to affix the mesh directly to the peritoneum, reducing the number of incisions and facilitating easier implantation and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional stay sutures are used to secure the tissue repair implant, then the implant can be firmly fixed to the body wall, but multiple incisions are required leading to increased trauma, scarring, and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stay suture component entirely from the implant system. Instead of including stay sutures that require external manipulation through multiple incisions, the implant is designed with integrated fixation elements that can be secured through a single incision, thereby extracting the harmful multi-incision requirement while maintaining fixation strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the implant positioning and fixation functions into a single integrated system. The implant includes built-in fixation elements (such as barbs, hooks, or adhesive surfaces) that are merged with the implant body itself, eliminating the need for separate stay sutures and multiple incisions while achieving secure attachment to the body wall
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple stay sutures and incisions are used for implant securement, then the implant can be properly positioned, but the procedure time is extended and recovery is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates fixation elements directly into the implant during manufacturing, so that the implant arrives pre-prepared with integrated securing mechanisms. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative suture placement and incision closure, reducing both procedure time and recovery time while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the time-consuming steps of stay suture manipulation and multiple incision closure from the surgical procedure. By extracting these unnecessary steps through design innovation, the procedure is streamlined to require only a single incision for implant insertion and fixation, significantly reducing operative time and facilitating faster patient recovery
Data Source
AI summary
Novel mesh implant positioning systems for use in laparoscopic body wall defect repairs, such as hernia defects, are disclosed. The systems utilize one or more bar members combined with surgical sutures and needles to position a mesh implant adjacent to a body wall defect without the need for stay sutures. Also disclosed are assemblies of the positioning systems with surgical mesh repair implants, and methods of repairing body wall defects such as hernias with the assemblies.