Segmented Adhesion Barrier for Hernia Graft Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hernia repair grafts face challenges in preventing adhesion formation and maintaining biomechanical properties over time, which can lead to complications such as pain and organ obstruction.

Innovation Solution

The development of hernia repair grafts featuring a substrate mesh with an integrated adhesion barrier, where the adhesion barrier is attached at discrete locations to allow sliding between the substrate and the barrier, maintaining compliance and preventing tissue attachments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an adhesion barrier is integrated onto the graft substrate, then adhesion formation is prevented, but the biomechanical properties and compliance of the graft may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion formationVSAvoidbiomechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesion barrier is divided into discrete attachment sites rather than being continuously bonded to the substrate. This segmentation allows the barrier to prevent adhesions at attachment points while maintaining graft compliance through unattached regions that can slide relative to each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment pattern transitions from a static, continuous bond to a dynamic system where unattached regions can move and slide relative to each other. This dynamic configuration preserves the biomechanical properties of the graft while maintaining adhesion prevention at the discrete attachment sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the adhesion barrier is continuously attached to the substrate, then adhesion prevention is maximized, but the graft compliance and tissue-matching properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesion formationVSAvoidcompliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous attachment is segmented into discrete attachment sites distributed across the substrate surface. This segmentation creates a balance between adhesion prevention at attachment points and compliance preservation through the unattached regions that can deform and slide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the graft have different properties: discrete attachment sites provide adhesion prevention while unattached regions provide compliance and flexibility. This local differentiation allows the graft to simultaneously achieve both adhesion prevention and tissue-matching compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If discrete attachment sites are used for the adhesion barrier, then compliance is maintained through sliding, but adhesion prevention coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomplianceVSAvoidadhesion formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring complete continuous attachment for adhesion prevention, the invention uses partial attachment at discrete sites that is sufficient to prevent adhesions while allowing the unattached regions to maintain compliance through sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250049552A1Layered materials for implants

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 TELA BIO INC

AI summary

Layered materials for using in implants, such as hernia repair implants. The layered materials may include a first layer including a substrate (e.g., mesh) and a second layer including a sheet of anti-adhesive material. The layers may be attached at small attachment sites that are separated by regions in which the layers are not attached, to provide a highly compliant implant. The compliance of the implant may match that of a patient's body upon implantation and/or over time following implantation.