Vaulted Reinforcing Structure for Hernia Prosthesis Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hernia prostheses face challenges in being easily positioned and fixed within small hernia defects, such as umbilical hernias, due to their flexible nature, which can lead to reversion under abdominal pressure and increased risks of recurrence.
Innovation Solution
A prosthesis featuring a flexible mesh with a semi-rigid, vaulted reinforcing structure that can be folded for introduction and automatically deploys to maintain contact with the abdominal wall, reducing the risk of reversion and facilitating fixation without the need for extensive manipulation or suturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the prosthesis is made flexible to facilitate introduction into small hernia defects, then ease of operation is improved, but the prosthesis tends to revert under abdominal pressure, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into two distinct functional parts: a flexible mesh component for ease of introduction and a semi-rigid reinforcing element for structural stability. The mesh can be folded and introduced through small defects while the reinforcing element maintains the prosthesis shape and prevents reversion under abdominal pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis combines materials with different mechanical properties: a flexible mesh material (such as polyester or polypropylene) that can be easily folded and introduced, combined with a semi-rigid reinforcing element (such as a memory alloy or shape memory polymer) that provides structural support and resists reversion forces.
2Volume of moving object
If the prosthesis is folded to reduce volume for introduction, then volume is reduced, but the prosthesis forms creases that are difficult to spread out, worsening ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing element is pre-formed with a specific three-dimensional shape (such as a dome or arch) that automatically unfolds and expands when the prosthesis is introduced. This preliminary shaping ensures that the mesh spreads out evenly against the abdominal wall without requiring manual manipulation to remove creases.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing element is designed with a curved or domed geometry that naturally distributes forces evenly across the mesh surface. When the prosthesis is introduced and the reinforcing element expands, its curved shape promotes uniform spreading of the mesh, preventing permanent creases and ensuring proper contact with the abdominal wall.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive manipulation is performed to spread out the prosthesis, then positioning accuracy is improved, but surgical time increases, worsening productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing element is designed to automatically self-expand and self-position when the prosthesis is introduced into the hernia defect. The memory effect or elastic recovery of the semi-rigid material causes it to unfold and press the mesh against the abdominal wall without requiring manual manipulation, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while significantly reducing surgical time.
4Strength
If suturing is performed to secure the prosthesis, then fixation strength is improved, but surgical complexity increases, worsening device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing element is pre-formed with attachment features (such as tabs, flanges, or integrated fixation elements) that allow for simplified securing to the abdominal wall. These pre-integrated features eliminate the need for separate suturing procedures by providing built-in attachment points that can be easily secured with minimal manipulation.
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 prosthesis effectively minimizes the risk of hernia recurrence by ensuring proper positioning and fixation, even in small defects, through its ability to occupy a small volume for introduction and automatically spread out against the abdominal wall, avoiding visceral entrapment and deformation.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-rigid and flexible material defining a continuous vaulted structure... able, under stress, to occupy a small volume so as to facilitate its introduction into the abdominal cavity... and which can then be easily deployed, spread out and flattened against the abdominal wall
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a prosthesis (200) comprising a flexible mesh (1), which is delimited by a peripheral outer edge (1a), and a reinforcing element for said mesh, characterized in that said reinforcing element comprises at least one sheet of semi-rigid and flexible material defining a continuous vaulted structure (201) that has an inner face (201a) and an outer face (201b), at least the base (201d) of said vaulted structure being fixed to the peripheral outer edge of said mesh.