Methods of using light to repair hernia defects

摘要

A hernia repair method includes the step of identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape. The method involves positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect. According to one step, the method includes dispensing one or more light pipes from the dispensing instrument at predetermined locations. The method also involves advancing the one or more light pipes through the patient's skin. Another step includes coupling a light source to the one or more light pipes. The method also involves generating a pattern of light that indicates one or more of the size, the location, and the shape of the hernia defect. One step includes positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.

主权项

1. A hernia repair method, comprising:
identifying a hernia defect in a patient, the hernia defect having a size, a location, and a shape; positioning a dispensing instrument laparoscopically into the patient adjacent the hernia defect; dispensing leading and trailing ends of a first light pipe from a leading end of the dispensing instrument at a predetermined location within the patient to separate the first light pipe from the dispensing instrument; advancing the leading end of the first light pipe through the patient's skin; coupling a light source to the leading end of the first light pipe; generating a pattern of light with the first light pipe that indicates at least one of: the size, the location, or the shape of the hernia defect; and positioning a surgical patch adjacent the hernia defect in accordance with the pattern of light.