IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO IMPLANTABLE PROSTHESES

摘要

An implantable prosthesis (1) is provided for repairing a defect or opening, such as a hernia, in a muscle or tissue wall. The prosthesis comprises a pliable sheet (2) of barrier material having first and second opposed surfaces (4, 5), a peripheral edge (6), a peripheral region (7) inwardly of the peripheral edge (6) and a central region (9) inwardly of the peripheral region (7). It also comprises a sheet (11) of structural material attached to and covering at least part of the central region (9) of said surface (4) of said sheet (2) of barrier material, the sheet (11) of barrier material having a peripheral edge (12) and the peripheral region (9) of the sheet (2) of barrier material lying beyond the peripheral edge (12) of the sheet (11) of structural material. A plurality of openings (8) are provided in said peripheral region (9) and are intended for use in attaching the prosthesis (1) to the muscle or tissue wall. The barrier material is constructed and arranged to discourage the formation of post-operative adhesions and the structural material is constructed and arranged to encouraged tissue ingrowth.