Swiss medical device innovation offers enhanced biomechanical properties for improved patient outcomes in urinary incontinence and pelvic reconstruction procedures.
Innovation in surgical mesh design
A pioneering surgical mesh technology developed through collaboration between APIS Technologies and the French Institute for Textile demonstrates superior mechanical properties specifically engineered for uro-gynaecological applications. The I-STOP range of implants represents a departure from traditional surgical meshes, which have historically been adapted from hernia repair materials.
Technical advancement in biomaterial engineering
The technology centres on a unique weaving structure for polypropylene monofilament, developed in the early 2000s. Unlike conventional surgical meshes, the I-STOP design exhibits remarkable shape retention characteristics, demonstrating seven times greater recovery following mechanical loading compared to traditional options. This property ensures consistent urethral support, a crucial factor in maintaining long-term therapeutic efficacy.
Material properties and clinical implications
Critical to the innovation is the mesh’s resistance to deformation, showing five times less structural alteration under stress compared to widely used alternatives. This stability maintains consistent pore geometry, a feature recognised as essential in preventing post-surgical complications such as infection and erosion. Additionally, the implant achieves a significant reduction in material mass, weighing half that of conventional meshes, adhering to the principle that minimal implanted material optimises biocompatibility.
Clinical validation and research outcomes
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have validated the technology’s efficacy. Research published in European Urology <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2005.09.019>highlights the significance of nonelastic properties in immediate postoperative outcomes. A subsequent study in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology <https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jmig.2010.08.105>confirms the maintenance of these mechanical properties following implantation, with no observed emergence of voiding dysfunction during follow-up periods.
Recent long-term findings
More recent research, published in the Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2020 https://doi.org/10.14740/jcgo643 demonstrated notably low rates of mesh-related complications. The study specifically observed reduced instances of erosion, exposure, and contraction, attributing these favourable outcomes to the unique structural properties of the I-STOP design.
Applications and availability
The technology has been implemented across three distinct products: a female urinary incontinence sling based on the Ulmsten technique, a male urinary incontinence sling, and a range of meshes for female pelvic reconstruction. All variants maintain the core technological advantages while offering specific dimensional and structural modifications for their intended applications.
The innovation represents a significant advancement in uro-gynaecological surgery, offering improved biomechanical properties while addressing historical concerns regarding mesh-related complications. This Swiss-developed technology demonstrates how specific engineering of surgical materials for their intended application can lead to improved patient outcomes in reconstructive surgery.
The products are currently available through APIS Technologies, headquartered in Switzerland.
- Visit APIS Technologies: www.apis.swiss
