Segmented Thread Mesh for Hernia Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hernia repair methods using meshes often result in complications such as chronic pain, infection, and recurrence due to inflammatory reactions and non-incorporability issues with fiber-based and solid sheet meshes.
Innovation Solution
An implantable tissue support structure composed of non-braided monofilament threads with a low thread intersection density, allowing unimpeded tissue ingrowth and minimizing foreign body reactions, providing mechanical support and promoting regeneration of musculofascial tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fiber-based meshes with high intersection density are used, then mechanical strength and structural integrity are improved, but tissue reactions, inflammation, and foreign body responses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is divided into discrete intersections spaced apart by significant distances, creating a segmented structure with large void spaces between intersections. This segmentation reduces the total number of intersection points that can trigger inflammatory responses while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through the distributed network of intersections.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh structure varies locally: intersections are present only where needed for structural support, while large portions of the mesh consist of non-intersecting threads with large void spaces. This local variation allows different regions to serve different functions - intersections provide mechanical anchoring while void spaces minimize tissue reactions.
2Strength
If solid sheet meshes are used, then mechanical support is provided, but incorporation into tissue is poor and complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh structure is highly porous with large void spaces between threads and intersections. This porosity allows tissue ingrowth and incorporation while maintaining mechanical support through the distributed network of threads. The porous structure enables the mesh to integrate with surrounding tissue rather than remaining as a separate foreign body.
3Stability of the object's composition
If thread intersections are increased to provide structural stability, then mesh integrity is improved, but the number of foreign body reactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh uses a partial action approach by providing intersections only at specific spaced intervals rather than continuously. This partial intersection density is sufficient to maintain mesh integrity and prevent hernia recurrence while minimizing the total number of intersection points that could trigger foreign body reactions.
4Reliability
If conventional meshes are used for hernia repair, then defect closure is achieved, but chronic pain and infection rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful intersections that cause chronic pain and infection are extracted and removed from the mesh structure. The invention retains only the essential mechanical function of the mesh while eliminating the problematic intersection points that trigger inflammatory responses and chronic pain syndromes.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable areal device for supporting defective musculofascial tissue mechanically and by regeneration of muscle and fascial tissue. The device is formed by a plurality of thread sections that define a plurality of void spaces. At least one of the void spaces is more than one-hundred square millimeters in area. A method for supporting defective musculofacial tissue mechanically and by in-situ tissue engineering that includes the fixation of the device by open surgical techniques to defective musculofascial tissue. As a result, this fixation immediately provides mechanical support of the tissue, and subsequently provides physiological repair by allowing regenerative precursor cells to infiltrate freely into the void spaces and to proliferate therein, leading to regeneration of volumetric amounts of functionalized musculofascial tissue.