PROSTHESIS FOR INGUINAL HERNIAS

Abstract

A prosthesis for inguinal hernias which is surgically inserted in a patient, made of a sole flat piece with a central cutting line which divides the flat piece into two asymmetric sides helically foldable to each other. Each asymmetric side has an oval shape with a narrow separation at middle point on its external edge due to an external cleft to provide an upper oval area and a lower oval area. After folding, the two sides form a reinforced central hole to allow the spermatic cord to fit therethrough. A preferably conic-shaped cap is provided in one of the lower oval areas, whose larger diameter base is fixed to the flat surface of one of the asymmetric sides and its lateral walls are free and adhered to the internal tissues of the patient.

Claims

1. A prosthesis for treatment of the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia, comprising: a. a flat piece of material containing two connecting asymmetric halves configured to be foldable into a helical twisted configuration to provide a central opening; and b. a cap integrally fixed to a bottom of one of the two connecting asymmetric halves.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the halves are divided by a central dividing line.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2, wherein the central dividing line contains an opened groove at one end, the groove being bent at an angle to a straight part of the dividing line.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the asymmetric halves contain rounded peripheral edges.

5. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein each of the asymmetric halves contains an upper oval area and a lower oval area divided from each other by a cleft.

6. The prosthesis of claim 5, wherein the cap is fixed to the lower oval area of one of the asymmetric halves.

7. The prosthesis of claim 5, where in the cap is conical in shape.

8. The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein the cap contains a base fixed to the lower oval area and a tip protruding away from the lower oval area.

9. The prosthesis of claim 7, wherein the lower oval areas of the halves provide lower tabs to lock the helical twist configuration in place when the asymmetric halves are folded.

10. The prosthesis of claim 5, wherein when folded, the upper oval areas provide a first overlap and the lower oval area provide a second overlap.

11. A prosthesis for treatment of the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia, comprising: a. a piece of material containing two connecting asymmetric halves folded into a helical twisted configuration to provide a central opening; and b. a cap integrally fixed to a bottom of one of the two connecting asymmetric halves.

12. The prosthesis of claim 10, wherein each of the asymmetric halves contains an upper oval area and a lower oval area divided from each other by a cleft.

13. The prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the clefts are joined form the central opening.

14. The prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the lower oval areas provide overlapping lower tabs to lock the helical twisted configuration in place and to provide a first reinforced area bordering the central opening.

15. The prosthesis of claim 14, wherein the upper oval areas overlap each other to provide a second reinforced area bordering the central opening.

16. The prosthesis of claim 15, wherein the cap is conical in shape.

17. The prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the cap contains a base fixed to the lower oval area of one of the asymmetric halves and a tip protruding away from the lower oval area.

18. The prosthesis of claim 11, wherein the asymmetric halves contain rounded peripheral edges.

19. A method for the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia, comprising the steps of a. providing the prosthesis of claim 1; b. folding the prosthesis into a helical twisted configuration to provide a central opening; and c. fitting a spermatic cord through the central opening.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of aligning the cap with the weak anatomical areas of inguinal hernias.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a depiction of an elevational view of the prosthesis set surrounding the spermatic cord;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective depiction of the prosthesis surrounding the spermatic cord, seen from a lower point and according to the first figure;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a depiction of the prosthesis which is the subject matter of this invention in a horizontal plane seen from a lower or posterior point;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a depiction of a posterior horizontal view of the prosthesis in which we can see the first overlapping phase of the two asymmetric sections;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a depiction, continuing with the prior figure, in which we can see the completion of the overlapping of the two asymmetric sections; and

[0020] FIG. 6 is the depiction of a posterior horizontal view of the completely folded prosthesis with its reinforcement areas in which we can see the cap placement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0021] We must say that the following is the explanation of the drawings and at the same time it can be used as an explanation of a preferential way to put the invention into practice.

[0022] As best shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2, the inguinal prosthesis is a flat piece of material which contains two asymmetrical sides or halves (1, 2) with rounded edges that are helically intertwined into a twisted configuration to generates a central, preferably circular- or oval-shaped, opening (3) through which a spermatic cord (4) is inserted. The prosthesis provides two areas of double resistance around the central opening (3) and a cap (7) fixed on a lower tab of one of the two halves (1, 2).

[0023] In particular, FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of the inguinal prosthesis wrapping the spermatic cord (4) which goes through the central cleft (3) generated by the helical twisted folding of the two asymmetric sides (1, 2) of the prosthesis. The cap (7) is fixed in one of the lower oval areas or lower fin (22), which is described below.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the unfolded prosthesis in a posterior horizontal plane or seen from a lower position, in which you can see the two asymmetric sides (1, 2) and the central dividing line (8), where the dividing line (8) does not completely divide the two haves (1, 2) but provide a linking area connecting the two asymmetric halves (1, 2). The dividing line (8) has a small groove (80) being opened and bent at an angle to a straight part of the cutting line (8) to allow the two asymmetric sides (1, 2) to be folded to each other. The two asymmetric sides (1, 2) have rounded peripheral edge lines, in such a way that do not generate corners or areas which may cause pain to the patient when in use. As shown in the figures, it is preferable that each asymmetric side has a generally ovalular shape, with a narrow separation at middle portion thereof to divide the asymmetric side into an upper oval area (11, 12) and a lower oval area (21, 22). The middle portion contains an external edge forming a cleft (9) in such a way that provides the upper oval area (11, 12) to allow turnings or helical twisting of the prosthesis. The lower oval area (21, 22) provides an elongated, oblong fin or a lower tab to close and lock the helical twisting or folding of the two asymmetric sides. The exterior cleft (9) provides a reinforced the central opening (3) when the prosthesis is properly folded. In a portion of the lower oval area (21), the cap (7) is placed and fixed thereto. The cap (7) is a cone-shaped element, whose larger base or diameter is fixed to the lower oval area (21) and tip or smaller diameter extends away from the lower oval area (21). Thus, with a single prosthesis it is possible to provide double reinforcement and movement resistance. By including the cap (7) as part of the prosthesis, it is possible to avoid the prosthesis from becoming detached or scrolling around inside the body of the patient when in use.

[0025] FIGS. 4 to 6 disclose the proper folding method of the asymmetric sides (1, 2) of the prosthesis. First, the asymmetric side (1) without the cap (7) is placed overlapping the asymmetric side (2) with the cap (7) on its lower oval area (22). To finish the folding of the prosthesis, the lower oval area (22) with the cap (7) (of asymmetric side (2)) is pulled over the lower oval area (21) without the cap (7) (of asymmetric side (1)) to lock the prosthesis in a helically twisted position. When properly folded, the upper oval area 12 lays below the upper oval area 11, while the lower oval area 22 (with the cap (7)) lays over the lower oval area 21. The lower oval areas (21, 22) overlapped to provide a double reinforcement area (5). The central opening (3) is generated with a circular or oval shape. A double reinforcement area (6) (see FIG. 6) is provided by overlapping upper oval areas (11, 12). The cap (7) is provided integral to the prosthesis. The arrows drawn in FIGS. 4 and 5 show the folding movement of the two prior overlapping stages.

[0026] The prosthesis design is based on the normal anatomical structure of the human body and is aimed to generate a helically laced structure with a protuberance as a variable-shaped cap which aligns with and solves the two usually weak anatomical areas in inguinal hernias.

[0027] The inguinal prosthesis is preferably made of a polymer, more preferably polypropylene. The cap (7) is preferably made of the same material as the prosthesis and is integral with the prosthesis. For example, the cap (7) may be molded as a feature during the formation of prosthesis.

[0028] Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.