Innovative Mesh Implant Simplifies Soft Tissue Repair

A proprietary hernia repair device employs surface nano-modification technology for the repair of abdominal wall hernia defects, including direct and indirect inguinal defects.

The Exogenesis (Billerica, MA, USA) Hernia Mesh is constructed of monofilament polypropylene (PP) fibers warp knitted together, and a unique nanometer-level surface texture achieved via accelerated neutral atom beam (ANAB) technology designed to enable favorable post-implant tissue compatibility. The PP knitting process creates large pores and minimum density and thickness, resulting in an implant, which allows tissue ingrowth and long-term tissue support, simultaneously minimizing the inflammatory response and fibrous encapsulation related to implant mass.

The mesh is also treated using the ANAB process to modify the surface of the filaments on a nanometer scale. The low-energy nano-scale surface modification is created by acceleration of neutral argon (Ar) atoms with very low energies under vacuum, which bombard the PP surface, modifying it to a shallow depth of 2-3 nm, causing modifications of surface topography, structure, and energy. Exogenesis Hernia Mesh is indicated for the repair of abdominal wall hernias and abdominal wall deficiencies, but is not indicated for transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse repair.

“ANAB surface treatment technology is already being deployed on other devices, however Exogenesis Hernia Mesh is our first proprietary product developed entirely in-house,” said Dmitry Shashkov, PhD, President and CEO of Exogenesis. “ANAB has the bioactive potential to improve medical device implant responses in man, and we are excited to bring this exciting technology one step closer to the clinical community.”

Surgical meshes have been in use since the late 19th century. In recent years, research in the area has increased due to increasing numbers of post-surgery complications such as infection, fibrosis, adhesions, mesh rejection, and hernia recurrence. A wide range of materials and coatings, meshes with different fiber thickness and porosity, a variety of manufacturing methods, as well as surgical and implantation procedures have been tested. Recently, surface modification methods and nanofiber-based systems are actively being explored as a pathway to increase biocompatibility.

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