Multi-arm Mesh Device for Incision Closure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for closing large surgical incisions, such as abdominal laparotomies, face challenges with suture tension and failure, especially in patients with compromised tissue integrity, leading to incisional hernias, and existing mesh solutions cause foreign body reactions and tissue trauma.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible mesh device with absorbable and non-absorbable materials, featuring longitudinal portions and arm portions that can be inserted into the retromuscular layer to approximate the incision, minimizing foreign material and tissue damage, and a kit with an inserter device for precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical sutures are used to close large incisions, then the incision can be closed, but the sutures experience significant tension and may fail leading to incisional hernias
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into multiple arms (at least four arms extending from a central portion) that distribute the closure force across different segments of the incision. Each arm can be independently positioned and secured, spreading the mechanical load and preventing any single point from bearing excessive tension that would compromise suture integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from traditional linear suture closure to a multi-dimensional star-shaped configuration with arms extending in different directions. This dimensional change allows the closure force to be distributed across multiple vectors rather than concentrated along a single suture line, improving reliability under abdominal pressure and movement.
2Reliability
If surgical meshes are used to lower the rate of incisional hernias, then hernia rate decreases, but foreign body material remains in the patient causing increased risk of infection and chronic pain
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts only the essential functional components needed for closure (the multi-arm structural framework) while eliminating the need for extensive mesh materials. By using a focused multi-arm design rather than large mesh sheets, the amount of foreign body material remaining in the patient is substantially reduced, lowering the risk of infection and chronic pain while maintaining hernia prevention capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing extensive mesh material across the entire incision site, the device concentrates closure functionality at specific local points where the arms are positioned and secured. This localized approach provides effective hernia prevention at critical stress points without the need for widespread foreign material that would increase infection risk and cause chronic discomfort.
3Reliability
If surgical meshes are used for incision closure, then hernia rate decreases, but extensive tissue dissection is required leading to increased tissue inflammation and placement time
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple independent arms that can be positioned and secured separately. This segmentation allows for more efficient placement compared to extensive mesh, as each arm can be individually inserted and fixed without requiring the time-consuming process of securing large mesh sheets, thereby reducing overall placement time while maintaining effective hernia prevention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A surgical incision closure device (1) and method for using the same, having first and second elements (100,102) adapted for positioning on first and second sides of the incision respectively. The first (100) element is substantially flat and includes a first longitudinal portion (104) extending in a longitudinal direction, and at least first and second arm portions (108) each extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the first portion and spaced apart from one another. The second element (102) is substantially flat and includes a second longitudinal portion (106) extending in the longitudinal direction, and at least third and fourth arm portions (110) extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the second portion and spaced apart from one another.