Hernia patch

Abstract

A hernia patch supporting tissue in-growth conforms to a tissue wall upon surgical installation and fixation within a patient. The hernia patch can include a base and positioning straps. The base is formed of two layers that are affixed to each other around the perimeter of the patch, for example by stitching. A stabilizing washer is provided between the two layers, and the stitch is provided peripherally around the stabilizing washer, keeping the washer free-floating between the layers. The base, positioning straps, and stabilizing washer are formed of a structure that does not separate the layers of the implant or form a space in the form of a pocket, and promotes more uniform and confluent tissue incorporation or in-growth after implantation. The hernia patch may further include a hydrolysable bioabsorbable cross-linked coating of a fatty acid based material, such as an omega-3 fatty acid based material.

1 . A patch for treating a hernia, comprising:
 a base comprising two layers and a tissue conformable stabilizing washer disposed in a compartment between the two layers, wherein the two layers are affixed to each other at a location between an outer periphery of the stabilizing washer and an outer periphery of the base; and   a positioning strap attached to the base in such a way that when a pull force is applied thereto such as during implantation the two layers of the base are not substantially pulled apart from each other and the base remains substantially flat and tissue conformable.   
     
     
         2 . The patch of  claim 1 , wherein the washer is free floating within the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The patch of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning strap is affixed to one of the two layers of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The patch of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing washer comprises tissue in-growth structural material configured in such a way as to form the washer. 
     
     
         5 . The patch of  claim 4 , wherein the stabilizing washer is coated with a bioabsorbable cross-linked fatty acid based material. 
     
     
         6 . The patch of  claim 5 , wherein the fatty acid based material comprises a fish oil. 
     
     
         7 . The patch of  claim 5 , wherein the fatty acid based material comprises an omega-3 fatty acid. 
     
     
         8 . The patch of  claim 1 , wherein the base is coated with a bioabsorbable cross-linked fatty acid based material. 
     
     
         9 . The patch of  claim 8 , wherein the fatty acid based material comprises a fish oil. 
     
     
         10 . The patch of  claim 8 , wherein the fatty acid based material comprises an omega-3 fatty acid. 
     
     
         11 . The patch of  claim 1 , wherein the base has an outermost perimeter edge comprised of only one of the two layers. 
     
     
         12 . The patch of  claim 1 , wherein the base is formed of a mesh material suitable for the promotion of tissue in-growth following implantation in a patient. 
     
     
         13 . A patch for treating a hernia, comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a first layer having a predetermined shape with a central region and an outer perimeter; 
 a second layer having a predetermined shape with a central region and an outer perimeter; 
 a compartment formed by the placement of the first layer against the second layer and affixation of the first and second layers together; 
 the first and second layers being placed against each other and affixed to each other at affixation points, the affixation points being at locations relatively closer to the outer perimeter of each layer than the central region of each layer in such a way that the central regions of each layer form walls of the compartment therebetween; 
 wherein the first and second layers are constructed of a structural material suitable for the promotion of tissue in-growth following implantation in a patient; 
   a stabilizing washer disposed within the compartment; and   a strap affixed to the base.