Soft tissue repair prosthesis and expandable device

#The present invention is directed to a soft tissue repair prosthesis, an expandable device, and to attachment components for removably securing the prosthesis with the expandable device.

#One technique for repairing a soft tissue defect, such as an abdominal wall hernia, involves inserting a soft tissue repair prosthesis, such as a mesh patch or plug, into an intra-abdominal space, positioning the prosthesis relative to the wall defect, and then, if desired, securing the prosthesis with tacks, sutures, and/or adhesives.

#To deliver the prosthesis intra-abdominally, the prosthesis may be rolled up, folded or otherwise collapsed into a reduced configuration and then inserted through a small incision or a trocar and into the intra-abdominal space. The prosthesis is then unfurled and positioned relative to the defect.

#The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated more fully from the following drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like features, in which:

#FIG. 1A is a top view of an expandable device and soft tissue repair prosthesis according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D are perspective views illustrating a hernia repair device being manipulated into a reduced configuration;

#Aspects of the present invention are directed to a soft tissue repair prosthesis, such as a patch, plug, or patch and plug combination, for augmenting, reconstructing or otherwise repairing a muscle or tissue wall, such as a chest wall or abdominal wall, and that has particular application for repairing a hernia defect to reconstruct the chest wall.

#An expandable device may be provided for delivering, locating, or otherwise positioning the soft tissue repair prosthesis at the surgical site. The soft tissue repair prosthesis may be carried by or otherwise connected with the expandable device, such that manipulation of the expandable device will effect the shape and/or position of the soft tissue repair prosthesis. The expandable device may have a reduced configuration suitable for introduction to the surgical site and an expanded configuration for deploying, locating, or otherwise positioning the soft tissue repair prosthesis. Expansion of the expandable device, when connected with the soft tissue repair prosthesis, may cause the soft tissue repair prosthesis to transform from a reduced delivery profile to an enlarged configuration suitable for the desired procedure, such as extending over, under, or filling a hernia defect. The term “hernia repair device” is used throughout the application and may be used to reference the expandable device, the soft tissue repair prosthesis, and/or the combination of the expandable device and soft tissue repair prosthesis, as the invention is not limited in this respect.

#As set forth below, the expandable device may be in the form of a balloon or other inflatable bladder, or other construction suitable for delivery in a reduced configuration and expansion to a larger size. The soft tissue repair prosthesis may be mounted to, or otherwise connected with, the expandable device, and then the combined components may be reduced in size, such as by rolling, folding, collapsing, or otherwise manipulating, and then inserted through a trocar or small incision into the abdominal cavity or other surgical site. Expansion of the expandable device, such as by inflation where the expandable device is in the form of a balloon, will in turn cause the soft tissue repair prosthesis to move into an expanded configuration suitable for the intended procedure. For example, where the soft tissue repair prosthesis is a mesh sheet and has been rolled up with an associated balloon, inflation of the balloon will cause the mesh sheet to unroll or otherwise expand into an enlarged configuration which can then be positioned relative to the defect.