TISSUE REPAIR IMPLANT
Described herein are tissue repair implants that include a first or lower layer of peritoneal membrane and a support member. The implants can further include an upper layer of peritoneal membrane, and the support member can reinforce the two layers of peritoneal membrane. For example, the support member can be located between the lower layer of peritoneal membrane and the upper layer of peritoneal membrane. The support member can be encapsulated between the two layers of peritoneal membrane to attach the two layers of peritoneal membrane to the support member. The support member can be made from a non-biological synthetic material mesh with a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Either of the layers of peritoneal membrane and/or the support member may be attached to a wall (e.g., an interior wall) of an abdominal tissue. Either of the layers of peritoneal membrane may be remodelled by in-growth of tissue.
1 . A tissue repair implant comprising a layer of peritoneal membrane and a support member to reinforce the layer of peritoneal membrane.
2 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a biological material.
3 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the layer of peritoneal membrane is configured to be attached to the support member.
4 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a laminate of the layer of peritoneal membrane and the support member.
5 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein the support member is at least partially encapsulated in the peritoneal membrane.
6 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a first layer of peritoneal membrane and a second layer of peritoneal membrane.
7 . The implant of claim 6 , wherein the support member is located between the first layer of peritoneal membrane and the second layer of peritoneal membrane.
8 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises one or more openings extending at least partially therethrough.
9 . The implant of claim 8 , wherein the layer of peritoneal membrane extends at least partially through the opening of the support member to attach the layer of peritoneal membrane to the support member.
10 . The implant of claim 9 , wherein the support member is configured to grip the layer of peritoneal membrane extending at least partially through the opening.
11 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the layer of peritoneal membrane is configured to be remodelled by in-growth of tissue.
12 . The implant of claim 11 , wherein the layer of peritoneal membrane is configured to promote in-growth of tissue.
13 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the shape of the implant is pre-defined to suit the shape of an abdominal cavity.
14 . A tissue implant for treating abdomino-pelvic defects, the tissue implant comprising: a support member for engaging, attaching, and remodelling with an inside and/or organ contacting surface of an abdomino-pelvic wall; and a layer of peritoneal membrane attached to the support member, the layer of peritoneal membrane covering the support member to prevent the formation of adhesions between the support member and one or more organs.
15 . An apparatus for grafting and/or repairing an abdominal wall, the abdominal wall having an inside surface that defines a cavity for containing the internal organs, the apparatus comprising: a prosthetic support and/or reinforcement member having inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface for engaging and adhering to the inside surface of the abdominal wall: and a layer of biologic tissue being attached to the inner surface of the prosthetic reinforcement, the layer of biologic tissue extending over a portion of the inwardly facing surface of the prosthetic reinforcement to provide resistance to adhesion formation and internal organ attachment as wound healing and tissue ingrowth into the prosthetic reinforcement occurs; the layer of biologic tissue being selected from a group consisting of peritoneal tissue.