The Patenting and Technological Trends in Hernia Mesh Implants.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Surgical Innovation
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Hernias, or tissue prolapse through abdominal fascial defects, present significant clinical challenges including complications, recurrence, and reoperations.
• Prosthetic surgical meshes are widely used to repair hernia defects, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce reoperation rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of patented prosthetic surgical meshes for hernia repair.
• To analyze patent trends, focusing on key applicants, geographical distribution, and the transition from patent to market.

Main Methods:

• A literature review of patents related to hernia repair meshes was conducted.
• Databases searched included Espacenet (European Patent Office) and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).
• A total of 56 patents filed between 2008 and 2018 were selected for analysis.

Main Results:

• China (55%) and the United States (29%) were the leading patent applicants for hernia repair meshes.
• While most applications involved industry, only 13 applicants successfully brought products to market.
• Polypropylene remains the dominant material for meshes currently available.

Conclusions:

• Significant patent activity exists for hernia repair meshes, with notable contributions from China and the US.
• Despite ongoing modifications in mesh design and materials, an ideal clinical mesh implant has yet to be realized.
• Further research and development are needed to overcome the limitations of current hernia repair meshes.