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Project

Clinically-relevant 3D characterisation of synthetic mesh materials for abdominal wall hernia repair (3D-MESH)

Abdominal wall hernia repair mostly involves the implantation of a synthetic mesh material. However, the link between the mesh microstructure, mechanical behaviour and clinical outcome is still not fully understood, complicating the selection of a suitable patient-specific mesh. 3D-MESH aims to perform a detailed 3D microstructural and mechanical characterisation of meshes (pre- and post-implantation) and native tissue. This will not only allow for a first-ever systematic evaluation of these materials in 3D, but also their comparison to native tissue. In this way, the currently used vague mesh classification based on “pore size” will be replaced by a unique, reproducible description of the mesh microstructure and a new classification. The mechanical evaluation of the meshes (pre- and post-implantation) and native tissue will, furthermore, increase the clinical relevance of the newly proposed classification. Computational models will help us to further improve future mesh design.

Date:22 Aug 2022 →  Today
Keywords:synthetic mesh materials, abdominal wall hernia repair, multidisciplinary approach, 3D microstructural analysis, dynamic mechanical behaviour, microCT, X-ray-based 3D histology
Disciplines:Abdominal surgery, Biomaterials, Destructive and non-destructive testing of materials