Patent ID: 7011688
Filing Date: 2006-03-14
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An implantable prosthesis for repairing a tissue or muscle wall defect in the vicinity of an esophagus, the implantable prosthesis comprising: a repair fabric of implantable, biologically compatible material, the repair fabric having an opening that is adapted to receive the esophagus, the repair fabric being susceptible to the formation of adhesions with and erosion into tissue and organs and including first and second surfaces and a fabric edge extending from the first surface to the second surface, the first surface adapted to face the tissue or muscle wall defect and the second surface adapted to face away from the defect, the repair fabric including a body portion and first and second tails extending away from the body portion, the body portion being configured in a generally triangular shape with a base having first and second segments, the first tail extending from the first segment of the base and the second tail extending from the second segment of the base, the opening being located along the base between the first and second tails; and an edge barrier that is adapted to inhibit the formation of adhesions with at least a portion of the fabric edge, the edge barrier being disposed on a portion of the first surface of the repair fabric proximate the opening, the edge barrier extending beyond the base to overlie a portion of the opening between the first and second tails, the edge barrier including an outer portion that is adapted to fold into the opening along a fold line that extends across the opening from the first tail to the second tail, the edge barrier further including a ledge portion that overlies the opening between the fold line and the body portion, the edge barrier including a curved outer edge that extends across the opening from the first tail to the second tail, the outer edge overlying the first tail at a first support point and the second tail at a second support point, the fold line extending from the first support point to the second support point.