Implantable prosthesis and method and apparatus for loading and delivering an implantable prothesis

A laparoscopically implantable prosthesis for occluding the opening of a muscle or tissue defect that is deliverable through a laparoscopic cannula to a surgical site, said implantable prothesis comprising:

• a sheet of pliable implantable mesh fabric having a plurality of interstices constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth so that the pliable implantable mesh fabric becomes secured to neighoring tissue after implantation, said pliable sheet of implantable mesh fabric stimulating an inflammatory response when implanted in tissue;
• and
• a ring of implantable material constructed and arranged to circumscribe the defect opening, said ring being integrally attached to said sheet of pliable implantable mesh fabric and being more rigid than said sheet of pliable implantable mesh fabric, said sheet of pliable implantable mesh fabric and said integrally attached ring being rollable into a slender cylinder prior to delivery and then delivered through the cannula to the surgical site.

A laparscopically implantable prosthesis for occluding the opening of a muscle or tissue defect that is delivered through a laparoscopic cannula to a surgical site, said implantable prosthesis comprising:

• a pliable implantable non-hollow sheet of mesh fabric having a plurality of interstices constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth so that the pliable implantable sheet of mesh fabric becomes secured to neighboring tissue after implantation, said pliable implantable sheet of mesh fabric having a body portion constructed and arranged to cover the defect opening and a peripheral portion circumscribing said body portion which is stiffer than said body portion, said implantable non-hollow sheet including said stiffer peripheral portion being rollable into a slender cylinder prior to delivery and then delivered through the cannula to the surgical site.

A laparoscopically implantable prosthesis for occluding the opening of a muscle or tissue defect that is delivered through a laparoscopic cannula to a surgical site, said implantable prosthesis comprising:

• a single sheet of pliable implantable mesh fabric having a plurality of interstices constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth so that the pliable implantable sheet of mesh fabric becomes secured to neighboring tissue after implantation, said pliable implantable sheet of mesh fabric having a body portion constructed and arranged to cover the defect opening and a peripheral portion circumscribing said body portion which is stiffer than said body portion, said single sheet of implantable mesh including said stiffer peripheral portion being rollable into a slender cylinder prior to delivery and then delivered through the cannula to the surgical site.