Inflatable hernia patch

• US 20080065229A1
• Filed: 09/12/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason P. Adams
• Original Assignee: Jason P. Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Jason P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,544,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.75
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0077 Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0068 having a special mesh pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/009 for hindering or preventing attachment of biological tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/003 differing in adsorbability or resorbability, i.e. in adsorption or resorption time

Abstract

A patch for repairing an intra-abdominal defect is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a mesh layer providing a grid of material perforated by apertures through the mesh. This mesh is used to reinforce an area around an intra-abdominal defect. A containment layer is secured proximate an edge of the mesh layer. A filler is distributed across the apertures of the mesh to contain a fluid from passing through the mesh. The mesh layer, containment layer, and filler are connected to form a chamber to selectively expand upon receipt of a quantity of fluid between the containment layer and the filler.

Claims

1. A patch for repairing an intra-abdominal defect, the patch comprising:

a mesh layer comprising a grid of material perforated by apertures through the mesh to reinforce an area around an intra-abdominal defect, the mesh layer having an edge;

a containment layer secured proximate the edge of the mesh layer;

a filler distributed across the apertures of the mesh to contain a fluid from passing through the mesh; and

the mesh layer, containment layer, and filler connected to form a chamber to selectively expand upon receipt of a quantity of fluid between the containment layer and the filler.

2. The patch of claim 1, further comprising a fill mechanism connected to introduce a fluid into the chamber.

3. The patch of claim 2, wherein the fill mechanism comprises a conduit connected to introduce a fluid from a fluid source into the chamber.

4. The patch of claim 2, wherein the fill mechanism comprises at least one of a chemical to generate a gas, a syringe, a pneumatic bulb, a source of compressed gas, a source of liquid, and a pump.

5. The patch of claim 1, wherein the filler comprises a bioabsorbable material.

6. The patch of claim 1, wherein the containment layer comprises a bioabsorbable material.

7. The patch of claim 1, further comprising an anti-adhesion layer substantially impervious to cell growth and non-adherent to live tissue.

8. The patch of claim 7, wherein the containment layer is the anti-adhesion layer.

9. The patch of claim 7, wherein the filler is the anti-adhesion layer.

10. The patch of claim 7, wherein the anti-adhesion layer is formed of a polymer.

11. The patch of claim 10, wherein the polymer is selected from polyfluorinated materials.

12. The patch of claim 1, wherein the filler is formed of a bioabsorbable material embedded in the apertures of the mesh.

13. The patch of claim 1, wherein the containment layer is formed of the same material as the filler.

14. The patch of claim 1, wherein the chamber forms at least one inflatable ring.

15. The patch of claim 1, wherein the chamber forms at least one inflatable rib.

16. The patch of claim 1, wherein the chamber comprises one or more regions of securement connecting the containment layer to the mesh layer.

17. The patch of claim 16, wherein the regions of securement comprise a fastener selected from the group consisting of a weld, an adhesive, a stitch, and a staple.

18. A method for repairing an intra-abdominal defect, the method comprising:

providing a patch comprising a mesh layer integrated with a fluid chamber expandable to extend the mesh layer;

folding the patch;

inserting the patch through an incision in the abdomen to repair an intra-abdominal defect;

unfolding the patch by urging fluid into the fluid chamber;

positioning the patch over the intra-abdominal defect;

attaching the patch to the abdominal wall to reinforce an area proximate the intra-abdominal defect; and

leaving the fluid chamber within the abdomen upon closing the incision.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising collapsing the expandable fluid chamber by removing the fluid therefrom.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein collapsing further comprises at least one of puncturing the expandable fluid chamber, providing a slow leak through apertures in the expandable chamber, cutting a conduit leading to the expandable fluid chamber, and passing fluid from the chamber through a conduit leading to the expandable chamber.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein inserting the patch comprises one of inserting the patch through a laparoscopic incision and inserting the patch through a conventional open surgery incision.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein urging fluid into the fluid chamber comprises urging fluid through a conduit leading to the fluid chamber.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein urging fluid into the fluid chamber comprises chemically generating fluid inside the fluid chamber.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the fluid chamber comprises a bioabsorbable material.

27. The method of claim 18, the patch further comprising an anti-adhesion layer substantially impervious to cell growth and non-adherent to live tissue.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the anti-adhesion layer forms at least part of the fluid chamber.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the anti-adhesion layer is formed of a polymer.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the polymer is selected from polyfluorinated materials.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the fluid chamber forms at least one inflatable ring.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein the fluid chamber forms at least one inflatable rib.

21. The method of clam 20, wherein puncturing further comprises piercing the fluid chamber with a suture member.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the suture member is selected from the group consisting of a needle, a staple, and forceps.

33. A patch for repairing an intra-abdominal defect, the patch comprising:

a mesh for attachment to an area proximate an intra-abdominal defect;

a fluid chamber integrated into the patch and connected to the mesh, wherein the fluid chamber upon inflating extends to maintain the shape of the mesh to facilitate placement and attachment of the mesh proximate the intra-abdominal defect.