Self-fixating Surgical Implant with Resorbable Protrusions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical implants for hernia repair require suturing, which delays procedures, causes post-surgical pain, and complicates handling during surgery due to potential adhesion issues.

Innovation Solution

A surgical implant with a flexible basic structure featuring resorbable film pieces having solid protrusions that provide self-fixation properties, reducing the need for sutures and enhancing handling by preventing adhesion to itself during procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If suturing is used to fix the mesh, then secure fixation is achieved, but procedure time increases and post-surgical pain occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The implant performs its own fixation through the protrusions that mechanically interlock with the tissue, eliminating the need for external suturing assistance and reducing procedure time while maintaining secure fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical suturing system is replaced by the self-fixating protrusion structure that uses geometric interlocking and friction-based mechanical attachment to achieve fixation without needles or threads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If suturing is used to fix the mesh, then secure fixation is achieved, but post-surgical pain occurs due to nerve damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation securityVSAvoidnerve damage and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant performs its own fixation through the protrusions that mechanically interlock with the tissue, eliminating the need for external suturing assistance and reducing procedure time while maintaining secure fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical suturing system is replaced by the self-fixating protrusion structure that uses geometric interlocking and friction-based mechanical attachment to achieve fixation without needles or threads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the mesh is made flexible for easy handling, then ease of operation improves, but adhesion to itself during procedures occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidself-adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The film pieces have different surface properties: the protrusion sides facing the basic structure are smooth to prevent self-adhesion, while the protrusion tips provide localized mechanical interlocking with tissue for fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The implant is divided into multiple film pieces that can move independently, preventing them from adhering to each other during handling while still providing distributed fixation points when implanted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If film pieces are added to the basic structure, then self-fixation is achieved, but flexibility of the implant decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-fixation capabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into multiple film pieces that can move independently, preventing them from adhering to each other during handling while still providing distributed fixation points when implanted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are localized to specific areas of the film pieces rather than covering the entire surface, providing fixation functionality only where needed while maintaining overall flexibility of the implant structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The implant securely fixes to soft tissue without additional suturing, reducing pain and procedure time, while allowing for easy handling and repositioning, and is designed to be absorbed post-healing, promoting tissue integration and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

Each film piece comprises a plurality of solid protrusions emerging from the respective film piece in a direction away from the basic structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of resorbable film pieces attached to the face of the basic structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResorption: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP2967789B1Surgical implant

Publication Date: 2022.09.14 JOHNSON & JOHNSON MEDICAL GMBH

Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~4(f)

AI summary

A surgical implant (20) comprises a flexible basic structure (22) having a face and a plurality of resorbable film pieces (26) attached to the face of the basic structure (22). Each film piece (26) comprises a plurality of solid protrusions (28) emerging from the respective film piece (26) in a direction away from the basic structure (22).