Self-expanding Mesh Implant for Hernioplasty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoprostheses for hernia repair, particularly those using titanium nickelide and polypropylene materials, face issues with nickel toxicity, biological instability, metal fatigue, and increased trauma risk due to cyclic loading, leading to inefficiencies and complications in laparoscopic hernioplasty operations.
Innovation Solution
A self-expanding mesh endoprosthesis made of polyfilament titanium threads with a relief surface, integrated into a mesh fabric, using GRADE-5 alloy and enclosed in an absorbable shell, which provides elasticity and reduces trauma by varying the number and diameter of monofilament threads, and applying an oxide film to enhance biocompatibility and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If titanium nickelide alloy is used for the mesh implant, then the mesh has high strength and elasticity, but nickel diffusion into surrounding tissues causes toxic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful nickel component is extracted and removed from the implant material. The patent replaces titanium nickelide alloy with pure titanium or titanium-based alloys that do not contain nickel, thereby eliminating the source of nickel toxicity while maintaining the required mechanical properties through alternative material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by using titanium combined with other biocompatible elements or coatings. The mesh may incorporate titanium with surface modifications or composite structures that preserve strength and elasticity while ensuring biocompatibility and preventing toxic ion release.
2Weight of moving object
If polypropylene mesh is used for the endoprosthesis, then the mesh is lightweight and easy to implant, but it has lower biological stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining lightweight polypropylene base material with titanium reinforcement elements or coatings. This composite approach maintains the low weight and ease of implantation of polypropylene while adding the biological stability and corrosion resistance of titanium through surface treatments, coatings, or hybrid construction.
3Strength
If thick titanium nickelide wire is used for self-expanding frame, then the frame has high strength, but it causes metal fatigue and fracture under cyclic loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from titanium nickelide alloy to pure titanium or titanium-based alloys with different mechanical properties. This material substitution, combined with optimized wire diameter and cross-sectional geometry, reduces susceptibility to metal fatigue while maintaining adequate strength for the self-expanding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the self-expanding frame with dynamic characteristics that accommodate cyclic loading. The titanium-based material and optimized structural parameters allow the frame to flex and adapt to physiological movements without accumulating fatigue damage, improving reliability under repeated stress cycles.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If thin titanium nickelide wire is used for self-expanding frame, then the frame is less traumatic, but it becomes a source of trauma or perforation due to metal fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction where thin titanium wires are reinforced with additional titanium structures or coatings. This composite approach enables the use of thinner, less traumatic wires while compensating for reduced individual wire strength through the composite structure, preventing fatigue-induced fractures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates protective measures in advance by using material compositions and structural designs that preemptively prevent fatigue accumulation. The titanium-based material with optimized parameters provides inherent fatigue resistance, cushioning against the development of microcracks and fractures before they can occur during cyclic loading.
5Stability of the object's composition
If smooth titanium threads are used for mesh fabric, then the threads have uniform structure, but they have higher friction and reduced plasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modifications to the titanium threads by introducing controlled surface irregularities, micro-roughness, or specific surface treatments in certain areas. These local modifications reduce friction between threads, enhance plasticity and flexibility of the mesh fabric, while the overall thread structure maintains sufficient uniformity for structural integrity.
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
This solution increases the efficiency of laparoscopic hernioplasty operations, simplifies the surgical technique, reduces trauma and surgery duration, and accelerates patient recovery by minimizing thread breakage and tissue trauma while ensuring biocompatibility and secure fixation.
Implementation Method 1
an oxide film is applied to the surface of relief titanium threads of the mesh fabric
Implementation Method 2
the self-expanding system is made of polyfilament titanium threads located both in the structure and along the contour of the endoprosthesis
Data Source
AI summary
In the field of medicine and medical technology, improving the technical properties of endoprostheses used for the surgical treatment of hernias. A self-expanding mesh endoprosthesis for endoscopic hernioplasty includes a mesh fabric made of threads and a self-expanding system incorporated in the mesh fabric, wherein the self-expanding system is made of polyfilament titanium threads located both in the structure and along the contour of the endoprosthesis, and wherein the titanium threads of the mesh fabric are made with a relief surface. The technical result increases efficiency of performing laparoscopic hernioplasty operations, increasing the plasticity, and reducing the risk of breakage of the threads in the mesh structure, simplifying the surgical technique for passing through and placement of the endoprosthesis, reducing the duration and trauma of surgery and, accordingly, accelerating the recovery of patients.