Method for deploying medical textiles

• US 6,685,714 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Rousseau, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Application Number:
  US09/938,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20020052622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/190, 606/213, 128/898, 623/11.11, 604/27, 604/36, 604/158, 604/152, 604/13, 604/15, 604/9, 604/191, 604/200
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0063 Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0072 Delivery tools therefor

Abstract

A thermoformed bladder is disclosed for assisting in the application of prosthetic mesh devices. The unit is fabricated from two layers of film that have been thermoformed in one localized region and then sealed. The sealed unit has air trapped within the three dimensional portion which can be forced into the non-formed region causing the non-formed region to expand and apply force against the prosthesis to assist in deployment.

Claims

1. A method of deploying a medical textile through the use of a sealed applicator device having a first compartment and a second compartment in fluid communication with each other, wherein the first compartment, in an unstressed condition, has a three-dimensional shape for the containment of a volume of fluid sealed within the device, and the second compartment, in the unstressed condition, remains in an essentially flattened condition and wherein the medical textile is mated up to the second compartment of the sealed applicator devices the method comprising

a) placing the second compartment of the sealed applicator device and the textile posteriorly to a hernial defect, then

b) placing the textile position in an essentially deployed position by a transfer of fluid within the sealed applicator device, fluid moving from the first compartment of the sealed applicator device to the second compartment of the applicator device.