Curved prosthetic mesh and its method of manufacture

A prosthesis for repairing a defect in a muscle or tissue wall, the prothesis comprising:

• a body including a sheet of prosthetic mesh fabric having a plurality of openings therein, the body having a preformed three dimensional shape constructed and arranged to conform to the wall, the body including a preformed permanent depression on a surface thereof that is constructed and arranged to receive the iliac vessels when the prosthesis is positioned on the wall to repair an inguinal hernia.

An implantable prosthesis for repairing a defect in a muscle or tissue wall, the wall having an anatomical shape, the prothesis comprising:

• a body of resilient surgical mesh fabric having a plurality of openings therein, the body including an inner portion and a peripheral edge surrounding the inner portion, the inner portion having a preformed shape curved in three dimensions that is adapted to conform to the anatomical shape of the wall, the preformed shape having a spherical portion and a conical portion extending from the spherical portion, the peripheral edge being stiffer than the inner portion so that the body can regain the preformed curved shape after being deformed.

An implantable prosthesis for repairing a defect in a muscle or tissue wall, the prothesis comprising:

• a body of prosthetic material having a preformed shape constructed and arranged to conform to the wall, the preformed shape of the body including first and second curved surfaces, the second curved surface having a steeper incline than the first curved surface.

A prosthesis for repairing a defect in a muscle or tissue wall having an anatomical shape, the prothesis comprising:

• a sheet of surgical mesh having a preformed shape adapted to conform to the anatomical shape of the wall, the preformed shape of the mesh including a generally convex outer surface, and a generally concave inner surface, a tapered end portion and a curved end portion.