Variable Depth Surgical Fastening for Hernia Mesh Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hernia mesh fixation lack the ability to accommodate variations in abdominal wall thickness, leading to complications such as inadequate mesh fixation or excessive post-operative pain due to the fixed length of fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device that can be loaded with interchangeable cartridges containing fasteners of varying sizes, allowing surgeons to select the appropriate length without switching devices, minimizing complications and post-operative pain by ensuring secure mesh fixation without excessive penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fasteners of fixed length are used for hernia mesh fixation, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different abdominal wall thicknesses deteriorates and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device incorporates a variable depth mechanism that allows the penetration depth of the fastener to be dynamically adjusted during the surgical procedure. This is achieved through a depth control mechanism that enables the surgeon to set the appropriate fastener length based on the patient's specific anatomy, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by introducing controlled variability rather than requiring multiple fixed-depth devices
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fixed parameter of fastener length to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to the thickness of the abdominal wall. The fastening device includes mechanisms such as adjustable stop members, variable penetration depth controls, or interchangeable cartridges that allow the fastener length parameter to be modified to match different patient anatomies, thus improving adaptability without significantly increasing overall device complexity
2Strength
If long fasteners are used to ensure secure mesh fixation in thick abdominal walls, then the fixation strength is improved, but the harmful effects on the patient increase due to excessive penetration and post-operative pain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a variable penetration depth parameter that can be precisely controlled and adjusted. The fastening device includes depth control mechanisms such as adjustable stop members, telescoping shafts, or depth-limited drive mechanisms that ensure the fastener penetrates only to the necessary depth to secure the mesh to the abdominal wall without excessive penetration into surrounding tissues, thereby maintaining fixation strength while minimizing harmful effects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional fixed-length mechanical fastener system with a controlled delivery mechanism that uses mechanical or electronic controls to regulate fastener deployment. This substitution allows for precise control over penetration depth, ensuring that the fastener achieves adequate fixation strength while stopping before causing damage to deeper tissues, thus reducing post-operative pain and complications
3Object-affected harmful factors
If short fasteners are used to minimize tissue penetration and pain, then the harmful effects are reduced, but the fixation reliability deteriorates in patients with thick abdominal walls
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device incorporates a dynamic depth adjustment mechanism that allows the penetration depth to be varied based on real-time assessment of abdominal wall thickness during surgery. The surgeon can adjust the fastener length parameter to match the specific patient anatomy, ensuring adequate fixation reliability in thick walls while maintaining controlled penetration depth to minimize harmful effects, thus resolving the contradiction between these two parameters
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention generally relates to devices for fastening a hernia mesh. The invention provides a surgical fastening device that includes a shaft with a fastener carrier disposed at least partially within the shaft, in which the carrier is configured to accept fasteners of a plurality of different sizes. Different sized fasteners can be preloaded in interchangeable carriers or even mixed together within a carrier in the fastening device. The device can deliver the fasteners to different depths in a patient's tissue.