What is TAS
Our Tissue Approximation System, with surgical grade zip-straps, delivers durability, simplicity and predictability for abdominal wall closure.
Simplicity
Our five-step simple Tissue Approximation System will allow for surgeons to treat ventral hernia using a simple laparoscopic technique.
Is that a big deal?
It sure it! There are ~500,000 ventral hernia procedures performed each year in the United States and 75% of these surgeries are done so with an open surgical approach. This represents one of the largest surgical procedure volume that has not already been converted to minimally invasive surgery. We aim to change this and convert open ventral hernia surgery to laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopic repairs have proven to reduce length of stay, return to work, and surgical site infections.
TAS offers a simple solution for closing hernia defects by using a laparoscopic approach. One of the difficulties with laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is closing hernia defects. It is known to be a surgical challenge to suture the fascia. Our kit provides a full thickness abdominal wall closure using novel instruments and methods that make closure easy. Surgeons now have a solution that will simplify hernia defect closure and provide for a new minimally invasive approach for this large procedure base.
Durability
The lack of durability during abdominal surgery represents a large problem. This is true for both ventral hernia repair and the general closure of abdominal incisions.
Sutures are prone to break, or their knots can loosen and unravel. More commonly sutures might fail as a result of their thin characteristics. These small diameters have a tendency of tearing through the fascia under the skin, causing abdominal defects and incisions to reopen, otherwise known as, dehiscence.
Our surgical grade zip-straps are designed with:
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A softer, atraumatic edge to reduce suture pull through.
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Larger diameters to increase surface area.
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Higher tensile strength. Three times stronger than suture.to reduce breakage.
Predictability
During a ventral hernia repair, it's a known challenge for surgeons to close the hernia defect during a laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery. So much so, that hernia defects are sometimes just covered with mesh without attempting to suture the defect closed. The Tissue Approximation System makes closure simple and predictable and provides a full thickness abdominal closure using a minimally invasive approach.
And, when it comes to general abdominal incisions, closing the fascia under the skin is not always a predictable task. Sometimes, due to patient characteristics, incisions may require a surgeon to gradually close the abdominal fascia. This can be difficult because knots are not designed to be re-tightened. For the first time, surgeons will have the ability to re-tighten their abdominal closures and incorporate a sequential tightening technique. This will give surgeons more control over closing abdominal fascia.
Whether it’s a ventral hernia or a challenging abdominal incision, surgeons will have the ability to close complex abdominal walls in ways that they have never been able to do before.
Ventral Hernia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
Jason Smith; John D. Parmely.
Author Information and Affiliations
Last Update: August 8, 2023.
Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair Postoperative Complications in End Stage Renal Disease Patients
JSLS. 2022 Jan-Mar; 26(1): e2021.00086.
Indications for Use:
The Tissue Approximation System (TAS) is indicated for use in soft tissue approximation, including use in general surgery procedures such as minimally invasive ventral hernia and abdominal wall closure less than 10cm, but not for use in ophthalmic, neurologic, or cardiovascular procedures.
Contraindications
Due to the gradual loss of tensile strength which may occur over prolonged periods in vivo, the zip-tie, comprised of nylon, should not be used where a permanent retention of tensile strength Is required.
The TAS is not indicated for surface closures through the epidermis as the size of the zip-tie makes it unfeasible.
Warnings and Precautions
Do not use if the patient may experience an allergic reaction to polyamide (nylon).
The Tissue Approximation System (TAS) contains sterile, single-use devices. Discard after single use. Discard in accordance with accepted medical practice and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Reuse, reprocessing, resterilization, or repackaging of these single-use devices is prohibited and may compromise the structural integrity and/or sterility of the devices which may lead to device failure or patient infection.
Do not use in ischemic or necrotic tissue.
