US6669706B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin soft tissue surgical support mesh
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 2001-12-18
•
Granted: 2003-12-30
•
Expires: 2021-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A soft and pliable surgical support mesh exhibiting increased resistance to inhabitation of infectious matter. The mesh includes a support trellis formed of multifilament yarns wherein the interstitial voids located between the filaments of said yarns are enclosed within an infection-impervious matrix. The meshes may be designed to be extremely thin yet retain the requisite strength for repairing soft tissue, which allows for a low profile when folded for delivery.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Schmitt
- 👤 Ronald D. Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0063; A61F2002/0068; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of repairing a damaged portion of a patient's body, comprising: providing a soft tissue mesh, said mesh comprising a support trellis formed of multifilament yarns having a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape, said yarns encapsulated within an infection-impervious matrix whereby said mesh is soft and pliable while simultaneously exhibiting a resistance to inhabitation of infectious matter; accessing said damaged portion of said body; and implanting said surgical mesh in said body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of repairing a damaged portion of a patient's body, comprising: providing a soft tissue mesh, said mesh comprising a support trellis formed of multifilament yarns having a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape, said yarns encapsulated within an infection-impervious matrix whereby said mesh is soft and pliable while simultaneously exhibiting a resistance to inhabitation of infectious matter; accessing said damaged portion of said body; and implanting said surgical mesh in said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of delivering said mesh to said damaged portion of said body within a cannula of a first trocar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of expelling said mesh from said trocar adjacent to said damaged portion of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 3 , further comprising the step of orienting said mesh at the appropriate tissue site.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2 , further comprising the step of inserting a second cannula into the damaged portion of said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 5 , further comprising insufflating said portion of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein said trellis is sufficiently thin to permit insertion into a trocar having a diameter of about 5 millimeters or less.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 2 , wherein said mesh comprises an elastic memory to effectuate an unfurled state upon delivery to said damaged portion of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said yarns comprise a plurality of bi-component filaments each filament comprising a flexible core and fusible sheath surrounding said core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 9 , further comprising heating said trellis above the fusing temperature of said sheaths.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 9 , wherein said core comprises polyethylene terephthalate polyester and said sheath comprises polyethylene terephthalate/isophthalate copolyester.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising incorporating a medicinal drug into said matrix.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising memory heat setting said mesh to return said mesh to a relatively planar configuration adjacent to said damaged portion of said body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said matrix comprises a material having a Young's modulus lower than the Young's modulus of the material forming the filaments of said yarns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said matrix penetrates into said yarns to substantially fill the interstitial voids located therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said matrix comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, poly(meth)acrylate, and copolymers thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said multifilament yarns overlap one another and said overlapping yarns are adhered to one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said mesh has a thickness less than about 0.20 millimeters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said multifilament yarns have no twist imparted thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said trellis defines pores having a size in the range of about 50 microns to about 400 microns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said trellis has a thickness in the range of about 0.05 millimeters to about 0.50 millimeters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said trellis has a thickness less than about 0.20 millimeters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising heat conditioning said mesh for a sufficient time at a sufficient temperature to effectuate a shape-memory in an unfurled state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said mesh comprises yarns or filaments made from a shape-memory material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said multifilament yarns are capable of being flattened to thereby provide a reduced thickness and a low profile.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said mesh has a burst strength of about 300 psi.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-29 | 2007-06-30 | 2007-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-06-30 | 2011-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-29 | 2015-06-30 | 2015-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |