Deployment rods for use with implantable hernia prostheses

A method for deploying a mesh prosthesis using a system comprising a prosthesis comprising a first flexible mesh sheet structure, and two or more elongate rods each being removably coupled with the prosthesis and each being more rigid than the mesh sheet structure in such a way that the combination of the two or more elongate rods with the mesh sheet structure rigidifies the mesh sheet structure along a length of each of the two or more elongate rods, the method comprising:

• providing a rolled prosthesis in which, using the two or more elongate rods, the prosthesis is rolled in a direction substantially orthogonal to a central longitudinal axes of the two or more elongate rods in such a way that all or substantially all of the mesh sheet structure forms one or more rolls without bending the two or more elongate rods;
• inserting the prosthesis into a bodily cavity;
• unrolling the prosthesis, using the two or more elongate rods;
• and
• removing the two or more elongate rods from the prosthesis.

A system, comprising:

• a prosthesis comprising a first flexible mesh sheet structure;
• and
• two or more elongate rods each being removably coupled with the prosthesis and each being more rigid than the mesh sheet structure, in such a way that the combination of the two or more elongate rods with the mesh sheet structure rigidifies the mesh sheet structure along a length of each of the two or more elongate rods;
• wherein the system is configured to be rolled in a direction substantially orthogonal to a central longitudinal axes of the two or more elongate rods in such a way that all or substantially all of the mesh sheet structure forms one or more rolls;
• and
• wherein the two or more elongate rods are separate and distinct from each other and two of the two or more elongate rods are independently moveable relative to each other.

A system, comprising:

• a prosthesis comprising a first flexible mesh sheet structure;
• and
• two or more elongate rods each being removably coupled with the prosthesis and each being more rigid than the mesh sheet structure, in such a way that the combination of the two or more elongate rods with the mesh sheet structure rigidifies the mesh sheet structure along a length of each of the two or more elongate rods;
• wherein the system is configured to be rolled in a direction substantially orthogonal to a central longitudinal axes of the two or more elongate rods in such a way that all or substantially all of the mesh sheet structure forms one or more rolls;
• wherein the two or more elongate rods are separate and distinct from each other and two of the two or more elongate rods are independently moveable relative to each other;
• and
• wherein the two or more elongate rods have sufficient rigidity to enable use of the two or more elongate rods to manipulate and position the prosthesis at a target site.