Implantable Sling with Superficial Fixation Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional implantable surgical slings for treating stress urinary incontinence often require surgical fasteners that penetrate tissue, causing trauma and additional complications.
Innovation Solution
The development of implantable slings with biocompatible support members and fixation elements that attach superficially to tissue without penetrating, using a spacer to center the sling and reduce tissue trauma, and an outer protective sheath to facilitate insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical fasteners are used to attach the sling to tissue, then the sling can be securely anchored, but tissue trauma is inflicted
Solution Approach 1:
The sling is divided into multiple discrete fixation elements distributed along its length, allowing secure attachment at multiple points without requiring deep penetration at any single location. This segmentation enables the sling to achieve reliable anchoring through cumulative attachment strength while minimizing localized tissue trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the sling and the tissue. This spacer allows the sling to be positioned and secured without direct contact between the fixation elements and the tissue, thereby maintaining anchoring security while eliminating tissue penetration and associated trauma.
2Reliability
If fixation elements are positioned on both surfaces of the support member, then attachment security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation elements are designed with universal functionality that allows them to perform the same attachment function regardless of which surface they are positioned on. This multi-surface capability provides redundant attachment security without requiring fundamentally different fixation mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity through design standardization.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present disclosure describes implantable slings suitable for use in a variety of medical applications, the implantable slings include at least one a biocompatible support member having a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces including a first end, a second end, and a central region positioned therebetween, a first set of fixation elements positioned on the first end of the first surface, a second set of fixation elements positioned on the second end of the first surface, and a spacer positioned on the central region of the first surface for contacting a tissue in need of support.