Hernia Repair
Herniorrhaphy(Hernioplasty, Hernia repair) is a surgical procedure for correcting hernia. A hernia is a bulging of internal organs or tissues, which protrude through an abnormal opening in the muscle wall. Hernias can occur in the abdomen, groin, and at the site of a previous surgery.
(Wikipedia, Hernia Repair, 12/3/2010)
Hernia repair, reconstruction and grafting of soft tissue and vascular tissue requires a reconstructive sheet. Currently marketed mesh devices generally include a laminated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) structure, using e-PTFE laminated to one or more sheets of e-PTFE or to a polypropylene mesh. The rationale for using e-PTFE is to minimize post-operative abdominal adhesions to the mesh. The currently marketed products use e-PTFE on the visceral side (bowel side) and an open pore material such as polypropylene mesh on the fascia or muscular side. The open structured polypropylene material is believed to promote tissue in-growth into the material, thus creating a strong reconstruction.
Recent US Patents
9/7/2010
7,789,888
PTFE composite multi-layer material
Bartee and and Bartee have developed sheets of a high density unexpanded, unsintered polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) for use in tissue repair, reconstruction, grafting and regeneration. The limited porosity of the unsintered, substantially unexpanded PTFE substantially reduces tissue adhesions to the d-PTFE or migration of tissue into the d-PTFE. However, the limited porosity allows for the passage of ions and other small molecules necessary for cellular nourishment and waste transport. (RDC 11/28/2010)