Importance

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Abstract

A prothesis is provided for repairing a defect in a muscle or tissue wall. The prothesis has a preformed shape that conforms to the wall to facilitate placement and minimize shifting of the prothesis when positioned on the wall. The prosthesis may include a body formed of a sheet of surgical mesh fabric having a flexible inner portion surrounded by a stiffer periphery that is capable of resuming the preformed shape after being temporarily deformed to allow for implantation. The body may include a tapered end to facilitate insertion of the prothesis between the parietal peritoneum and the abdominopelvic wall during hernia repairs. The body may also include a curved end to permit repositioning of the bladder after implantation. In one embodiment, the prothesis includes a conical portion at the tapered end and a spherical portion at the curved end. The body may also include a permanent depression on a surface that receives the iliac vessels when the prothesis is positioned on the wall to repair an inguinal hernia.

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First Claim