Telescoping Sheath Mesh Delivery for Port-Site Hernia Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing port-site hernias after laparoscopic surgery lack a simple, reliable, and precise mechanism for delivering prophylactic mesh to small port sites, leading to a high risk of recurrence and increased costs due to frequent repairs.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping sheath system with pre-integrated affixation barbs is used to deliver and precisely tension a mesh patch onto the anterior abdominal fascia, providing a secure and controlled attachment mechanism for prophylactic mesh augmentation at small port sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hand-suturing methods are used for mesh affixation, then flexibility in mesh placement is maintained, but technical challenges in mesh handling and affixation increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A telescoping sheath delivery system serves as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the mesh patch. The sheath facilitates precise delivery, positioning, and affixation of the mesh to the fascial incision, eliminating the technical challenges of direct hand-suturing while maintaining flexibility through controlled deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh patch is segmented with pre-integrated affixation barbs that can be independently deployed. The telescoping sheath allows sequential delivery and affixation of mesh portions, enabling precise placement while reducing handling complexity through divided functional components
2Reliability
If prophylactic mesh augmentation is implemented at port sites, then hernia prevention effectiveness improves, but device complexity for precise delivery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping sheath is designed as a multi-functional device that combines delivery, positioning, tensioning, and affixation capabilities in a single system. This universal tool addresses multiple surgical requirements without requiring separate specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high prevention effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system employs nested telescoping components where smaller elements are contained within larger structures. The mesh patch is delivered through the sheath in a compact nested configuration, allowing precise delivery to small port sites without requiring excessively complex external delivery mechanisms
3Manufacturing precision
If precise spatial control and incremental tensioning are implemented, then mesh affixation precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping sheath incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow incremental tensioning of the mesh as it is being affixed. The system transitions from a static delivery device to a dynamic tensioning tool, enabling precise spatial control through controlled expansion and adjustment mechanisms rather than requiring pre-tensioned complex structures
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for performing minimally invasive surgery. A laparoscopic device for performing minimally invasive surgery can include a mesh configured to be affixed to a fascial tissue to reinforce the fascial tissue. The mesh can be attached to the laparoscopic device before the mesh reaches the fascial tissue. The laparoscopic device can also include a telescoping arm configured to deliver the mesh to the fascial tissue. The telescoping arm can be further configured to position the mesh at the fascial tissue by releasing the mesh from the laparoscopic device.