Inflatable hernia patch

• US 7,544,213 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2006
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason P. Adams
• Original Assignee: Jason P. Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Jason P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho; (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, PHONG SON H
• Application Number:
  US11/519,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20080065229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/213, 600/207, 128/118.1, 623/23.75
• US Class Current: 623/23.72
• 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 of bone tissue onto implantable joints A61F2002/30932
• 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 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, the fluid chamber forming at least one of an inflatable ring and an inflatable rib;

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.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising collapsing the expandable fluid chamber by removing the fluid therefrom.

3. The method of claim 2, 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.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the patch comprises one of inserting the patch through a laparoscopic incision and inserting the patch through a conventional open surgery incision.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein urging fluid into the fluid chamber comprises urging fluid through a conduit leading to the fluid chamber.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein urging fluid into the fluid chamber comprises initiating a chemical reaction inside the fluid chamber.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fluid chamber comprises a bioabsorbable material.

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

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the anti-adhesion layer forms at least part of the fluid chamber.

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

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the polymer is selected from polyfluorinated materials.

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

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

4. The method of clam 3, wherein puncturing further comprises piercing the fluid chamber with a suture member.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the suture member is selected from the group consisting of a needle, a staple, and forceps.

16. 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, the fluid chamber forming at least one inflatable ring;

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

extending, after the inserting, a central portion of the patch into a substantially smooth surface 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.

17. 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, the fluid chamber forming at least one inflatable rib;

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

extending, after the inserting, an interior portion of the patch into a substantially smooth surface 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.