Hernia prosthesis

• US 20030083543A1
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enrico Nicolo
• Original Assignee: Enrico Nicolo
• Inventors: Nicolo, Enrico
• Granted Patent: US 7,156,804 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/00 Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents as cosmetic articles, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. wigs, hair pieces, A41G3/00, A41G5/00; artificial nails A45D31/00; dental prostheses A61C13/00; materials for prostheses A61L27/00; artificial hearts A61M60/00; artificial kidneys A61M1/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes

Abstract

A prosthesis and a method for repairing a tissue or muscle wall defect, such as an inguinal hernia, near a cord-like structure, such as the spermatic cord. The prosthesis comprises a layer of repair fabric having a cord opening therethrough that is adapted to receive the cord-like structure when the prosthesis is implanted at the repair site. The prosthesis also includes a cord protector that is attachable to the repair fabric at the opening to isolate the cord-like structure from the fabric in proximity to the opening. The repair fabric may be formed from a material which is susceptible to the formation of adhesions with sensitive tissue and organs. The cord protector may be formed from material which inhibits the formation of adhesions with sensitive tissue and organs. The cord protector may overlie a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces of the repair fabric. The cord protector may extend substantially farther away from the opening edge on one of the first and second surfaces than on the other of the first and second surfaces. The cord protector may be configured as an insert that is separate from and attachable to the repair fabric. Alternatively, the cord protector may be integral with the repair fabric to form a composite prosthesis.

Claims

1. A hernia repair prosthesis comprising:

a layer of repair fabric susceptible to the formation of adhesions with tissue and organs, the layer of repair fabric including first and second surfaces and an edge that extends between the first and second surfaces of the layer of repair fabric; and

a barrier that inhibits the formation of adhesions with tissue and organs, the barrier overlapping portions of the first and second surfaces and extending therebetween and along at least a portion of the edge to isolate the portion of the edge from adjacent tissue and organs.

2. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the layer of repair fabric includes a plurality of interstices that allow tissue ingrowth.

3. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the layer of repair fabric is formed from polypropylene.

4. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the layer of repair fabric is formed from PTFE.

5. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the barrier is formed from expanded PTFE.

6. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the barrier extends substantially farther away from the portion of the edge on one of the first and second surfaces than on the other of the first and second surfaces.

7. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 6, wherein the barrier substantially covers at least one of the first and second surfaces.

8. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the layer of repair fabric includes an opening therethrough that is adapted to receive a cord-like structure, the edge including an opening edge that defines the opening, the barrier extending about the opening edge.

18. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 7, wherein the layer of repair fabric includes an opening therethrough that is adapted to receive a cord-like structure, the edge including an opening edge that defines the opening, the barrier extending about the opening edge.

9. A hernia prosthesis for repairing a tissue or muscle wall defect, the prosthesis comprising;

a layer of repair fabric susceptible to the formation of adhesions with tissue and organs including first and second surfaces and an edge that extends from the first surface to the second surface; and

a barrier that inhibits the formation of adhesions with tissue and organs, the barrier being formed separate from and attached to the layer of repair fabric to permanently cover a portion of the edge to isolate the portion of the edge from adjacent tissue and organs.

10. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 9, wherein the layer of repair fabric includes a plurality of interstices that allow tissue ingrowth.

11. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 10, wherein the layer of repair fabric is formed from PTFE.

12. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 10, wherein the layer of repair fabric is formed from polypropylene.

13. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 9, wherein the barrier is formed from expanded PTFE.

14. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 9, wherein the barrier overlies a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces of the layer of repair fabric.

15. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 14, wherein the barrier overlies a portion of each of the first and second surfaces of the layer of repair fabric.

16. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 15, wherein the barrier extends substantially farther away from the edge on one of the first and second surfaces than the other of the first and second surfaces.

17. The hernia prosthesis according to claim 16, wherein the barrier substantially covers at least one of the first and second surfaces.