Implantable prosthesis

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a soft tissue and muscle wall defect. The prosthesis is configured to reduce the likelihood that an applied force at the repair site, such as due to intraabdominal pressure or tissue shrinkage, can lead to detrimental effects associated with tension at the anchoring locations between the prosthesis and host tissue and/or contraction of the prosthesis. In this regard, the prosthesis may be configured to limit the amount of tension at the anchoring locations caused by the application of a force or pressure to the prosthesis and/or contraction of the prosthesis. Alternatively, the prosthesis may be configured to compensate for contraction of the prosthesis due to tissue shrinkage at the repair site. The prosthesis may be configured to both limit tension at the anchoring locations and compensate for tissue shrinkage. The prosthesis may facilitate a reduction in postoperative discomfort, a recurrence of the defect, or the creation of a new defect associated with tension and/or prosthetic contraction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the implantable prosthesis comprising: 
 a patch of prosthetic repair fabric including a body portion that is constructed and arranged to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the prosthetic repair fabric to host tissue or muscle, the patch further including a preformed region that is constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of the detrimental affect of tension at the anchoring portion when the repair fabric is secured to the tissue or muscle and a force is applied at the tissue or muscle wall defect and/or to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect due to tissue shrinkage during scarification.    
     
     
         2 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the preformed region has a three-dimensional shape.  
     
     
         3 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 2 , wherein the preformed region includes a preformed dome having an open end that is configured to be disposed over the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         4 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 2 , wherein the anchoring portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         5 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 4 , wherein the body portion and the anchoring portion are integrally formed from a sheet of repair fabric.  
     
     
         6 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes the preformed region.  
     
     
         7 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 6 , wherein the body portion has a three-dimensional shape.  
     
     
         8 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 7 , wherein the body portion includes a preformed dome having an open end that is configured to be disposed over the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         9 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch has a substantially planar shape.  
     
     
         10 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the preformed region includes a plurality of pleats that are constructed and arranged to expand under an applied force to relieve tension at the anchoring location and/or compensate for contraction of the prosthetic repair fabric.  
     
     
         11 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of pleats are arranged in an accordion-like configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of pleats are arranged in a radial configuration.  
     
     
         13 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the preformed region is formed from a material that is different from the anchoring portion.  
     
     
         14 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic repair fabric has a plurality of interstices that are constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth.  
     
     
         15 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch is constructed and arranged to repair an inguinal hernia.  
     
     
         16 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 15 , wherein the patch includes a medial edge that is configured to extend beyond the medial corner of the inguinal canal.  
     
     
         17 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 16 , wherein the body portion includes a rounded medial segment spaced inwardly from the medial edge of the patch.  
     
     
         18 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 15 , wherein the patch includes an extension that extends from the body portion and is configured to cover the femoral ring of an individual.  
     
     
         19 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 18 , wherein the extension has a triangular shape.  
     
     
         20 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 18 , wherein the extension is constructed and arranged to be oriented at an angle relative to the body portion.  
     
     
         21 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch includes a plurality of indicia that correspond to desired anchoring locations for the implantable prosthesis, the plurality of indicia being preformed on the anchoring portion.  
     
     
         22 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of indicia include a monofilament thread having a contrasting color relative to the prosthetic repair fabric.  
     
     
         23 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the preformed region is constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion, the preformed region having a predetermined amount of laxity that is greater than an amount of laxity at the anchoring portion.  
     
     
         24 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the preformed region is constructed and arranged to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         25 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the preformed region is constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion and to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         26 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plug that is coupled to the patch, the plug configured to be placed within the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         27 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the implantable prosthesis comprising: 
 a patch of an implantable layer of mesh fabric including a body portion having a preformed three-dimensional shape that is constructed and arranged to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion extending from the body portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the implantable prosthesis to host tissue or muscle, the body portion having a cavity with an open end that is configured to be disposed over the tissue or muscle wall defect.    
     
     
         28 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 27 , wherein the body portion has a dome defining the cavity.  
     
     
         29 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 27 , wherein the anchoring portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         30 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 29 , wherein the body portion and the anchoring portion are integrally formed from a sheet of mesh fabric.  
     
     
         31 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 27 , wherein the mesh fabric has a plurality of interstices that are constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth.  
     
     
         32 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 27 , wherein the patch is constructed and arranged to repair an inguinal hernia.  
     
     
         33 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 32 , wherein the patch includes a medial edge that is configured to extend beyond the medial corner of the inguinal canal.  
     
     
         34 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 33 , wherein the body portion includes a rounded medial segment spaced inwardly from the medial edge of the patch.  
     
     
         35 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 34 , wherein the medial edge of the patch is rounded.  
     
     
         36 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 32 , wherein the patch includes an extension that extends from the body portion and is configured to cover the femoral ring of an individual.  
     
     
         37 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 36 , wherein the extension has a triangular shape.  
     
     
         38 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 36 , wherein the extension is constructed and arranged to be oriented at an angle relative to the body portion.  
     
     
         39 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 27 , wherein the patch includes a plurality of indicia that correspond to desired anchoring locations for the implantable prosthesis, the plurality of indicia being preformed on the anchoring portion.  
     
     
         40 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 39 , wherein the plurality of indicia include a monofilament thread having a contrasting color relative to the mesh fabric.  
     
     
         41 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 27 , wherein the patch has a substantially planar shape.  
     
     
         42 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the implantable prosthesis comprising: 
 a prosthetic repair fabric including a body portion that is constructed and arranged to overlie at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the prosthetic repair fabric to tissue or muscle adjacent the tissue or muscle wall defect, the prosthetic repair fabric including a plurality of preformed indicia on the anchoring portion that correspond to desired anchoring locations between the implantable prosthesis and the tissue or muscle.    
     
     
         43 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 42 , wherein the body portion has a three-dimensional shape.  
     
     
         44 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 43 , wherein the body portion includes a preformed dome having an open end that is configured to be disposed over the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         45 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 43 , wherein the anchoring portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         46 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 42 , wherein the body portion and the anchoring portion are integrally formed from a sheet of repair fabric.  
     
     
         47 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 42 , wherein the prosthetic repair fabric has a plurality of interstices that are constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth.  
     
     
         48 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 42 , wherein the prosthetic repair fabric is constructed and arranged to repair an inguinal hernia in the inguinal canal.  
     
     
         49 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 48 , wherein the prosthetic repair fabric includes a medial edge that is configured to extend beyond the medial corner of the inguinal canal.  
     
     
         50 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 49 , wherein the body portion includes a rounded medial segment spaced inwardly from the medial edge of the prosthetic repair fabric.  
     
     
         51 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 48 , wherein the prosthetic repair fabric includes an extension that extends from the body portion and is configured to cover the femoral ring of an individual.  
     
     
         52 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 51 , wherein the extension has a triangular shape.  
     
     
         53 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 52 , wherein the extension is constructed and arranged to be oriented at an angle relative to the body portion.  
     
     
         54 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of indicia include a monofilament thread having a contrasting color relative to the prosthetic repair fabric.  
     
     
         55 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 42 , wherein the plurality of indicia correspond to the anchoring locations associated with a tension-free inguinal hernia repair technique.  
     
     
         56 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the implantable prosthesis comprising: 
 a patch of prosthetic repair fabric including a body portion that is constructed and arranged to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the prosthetic repair fabric to host tissue or muscle, the prosthetic repair fabric further including means for reducing the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion when the repair fabric is secured to the tissue or muscle and a force is applied at the tissue or muscle wall defect.    
     
     
         57 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 56 , wherein the patch includes means for identifying desired anchoring locations for the implantable prosthesis.  
     
     
         58 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the implantable prosthesis comprising: 
 a patch of prosthetic repair fabric including a body portion that is constructed and arranged to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the prosthetic repair fabric to host tissue or muscle, the prosthetic repair fabric further including means for compensating for contraction of the body portion relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect due to tissue shrinkage during scarification.    
     
     
         59 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 58 , wherein the patch includes means for identifying desired anchoring locations for the implantable prosthesis.  
     
     
         60 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect in the inguinal canal, the implantable prosthesis comprising: 
 a patch of prosthetic repair fabric configured to be implanted in the inguinal canal, the patch having a rounded medial edge that is configured to extend beyond the medial corner of the inguinal canal, the patch including    a body portion that is constructed and arranged to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect, the body portion including a rounded medial segment that is spaced inwardly from the medial edge of the patch, the body portion projecting outwardly from the patch to define a cavity having an open end that is configured to be disposed over the tissue or muscle wall defect; and    a substantially planar anchoring portion extending from the body portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the prosthetic repair fabric to host tissue or muscle,    the body portion being constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion when the repair fabric is secured to the tissue or muscle and a force is applied at the tissue or muscle wall defect and/or to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect due to tissue shrinkage during scarification.    
     
     
         61 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 60 , wherein the patch includes a plurality of preformed indicia on the anchoring portion that correspond to desired anchoring locations between the implantable prosthesis and the host tissue or muscle.  
     
     
         62 . A method of repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing an implantable prosthesis including a patch having a body portion for covering the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion for securing the implantable prosthesis to host tissue or muscle, the implantable prosthesis being preformed with a region that is constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion when the repair fabric is secured to the tissue or muscle and a force is applied at the tissue or muscle wall defect and/or to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect to reduce the incidence of detrimental effects due to tissue shrinkage during scarification; and    (b) implanting the implantable prosthesis with the body portion covering at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect.    
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the preformed region includes a three-dimensional shape.  
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 63 , wherein the preformed region includes a dome having an open end.  
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the anchoring portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein step (b) includes implanting the implantable prosthesis in an inguinal canal to repair an inguinal hernia.  
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes a medial edge that extends beyond the medial corner of the inguinal canal.  
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 67 , wherein the body portion includes a rounded medial segment that is spaced inwardly from the medial edge of the implantable prosthesis.  
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein step (b) includes implanting the implantable prosthesis to repair or reinforce the femoral region of an individual.  
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 69 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes an extension that extends from the body portion and is configured to cover the femoral ring.  
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 70 , wherein the extension has a triangular shape.  
     
     
         72 . The method according to  claim 70 , wherein the extension is oriented at an angle relative to the body portion.  
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes a plurality of indicia on the anchoring portion that correspond to desired anchoring locations for the implantable prosthesis.  
     
     
         74 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the preformed region is constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion, the preformed region having a predetermined amount of laxity that is greater than an amount of laxity at the anchoring portion.  
     
     
         75 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the preformed region is constructed and arranged to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the preformed region is constructed and arranged to reduce the incidence of detrimental tension at the anchoring portion and to compensate for contraction of the patch relative to the tissue or muscle wall defect.  
     
     
         77 . The method according to  claim 62 , wherein the patch has a substantially planar shape.  
     
     
         78 . A method of repairing an tissue or muscle wall defect, the method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing an implantable prosthesis including a body portion preformed with a three-dimensional shape that is configured to cover at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect and an anchoring portion extending from the body portion that is constructed and arranged to secure the implantable prosthesis to host tissue or muscle, the body portion having a cavity with an open end that is configured to be disposed over the tissue or muscle wall defect; and    (b) implanting the implantable prosthesis with the cavity covering at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect.    
     
     
         79 . The method according to  claim 78 , wherein the body portion includes a dome.  
     
     
         80 . The method according to  claim 79 , wherein the anchoring portion is substantially planar.  
     
     
         81 . The method according to  claim 78 , wherein step (b) includes implanting the implantable prosthesis in an inguinal canal to repair an inguinal hernia.  
     
     
         82 . The method according to  claim 81 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes a medial edge that extends beyond the medial corner of the inguinal canal.  
     
     
         83 . The method according to  claim 82 , wherein the body portion includes a rounded medial segment that is spaced inwardly from the medial edge of the implantable prosthesis.  
     
     
         84 . The method according to  claim 81 , wherein step (b) includes implanting the implantable prosthesis to repair or reinforce the femoral region of an individual.  
     
     
         85 . The method according to  claim 84 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes an extension that extends from the body portion and is configured to cover the femoral ring.  
     
     
         86 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 85 , wherein the extension has a triangular shape.  
     
     
         87 . The implantable prosthesis according to  claim 85 , wherein the extension is oriented at an angle relative to the body portion.  
     
     
         88 . The method according to  claim 78 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes a plurality of indicia on the anchoring portion that correspond to desired anchoring locations for the implantable prosthesis.  
     
     
         89 . The method according to  claim 78 , wherein the implantable prosthesis includes a plurality of interstices that are constructed and arranged to allow tissue ingrowth.  
     
     
         90 . An implantable prosthesis for repairing a tissue or muscle wall defect in the inguinal region, the implantable inguinal region prosthesis comprising: 
 a flexible patch of prosthetic repair fabric having openings constructed and arranged for tissue ingrowth, said patch being elongated in a medial to lateral direction and including a roughly D-shaped medial portion,    said medial portion including a pre-formed dome that projects outwardly from the patch, said dome defining a cavity for covering at least a portion of the tissue or muscle wall defect.