The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 1 million of the 5 million Americans with hernias undergo hernia repair surgery each year. Many patients fear the pain and long recovery associated with these procedures. To help ease these complications, the market for mesh and plugs increasingly features products that are at once strong enough to withstand abdominal pressure and pliable enough for easy handling and insertion. Bioabsorbability and resorbability are also on the rise as manufacturers seek to have the patient's own body help the healing process along. Here's a roundup of the latest options, listed alphabetically by company name.

Atrium Medical's C-QUR Mesh combines the company's lightweight ProLite Ultra polypropylene surgical mesh with a proprietary, highly purified Omega-3 fatty acid coating. Pre-clinical studies "demonstrated a minimization of peritoneal tissue attachment as well as a significant reduction in both foreign body reaction and inflammation, resulting in a well-healed, reinforced repair," says the company. Atrium says this is because the polypropolene mesh features an inert thin wall and because the coating is an all-natural, bioabsorbable substance. It is said to be "the first known non-polymeric, all natural bioabsorbable coating that has been shown to significantly improve anatomical conformance by reducing aggressive, dense acellular collagen formation during material healing." Atrium reps expect the mesh to reach the market this fall.

Cook Surgical has three new products for various types of hernia repair.

• Surgisis ES (pictured). Billed as a natural solution for repairing paraesophageal and hiatal hernias, this soft-tissue graft is said to support "host tissue remodeling, reinforcing the strength and function of the crura while protecting the esophagus." This happens because, after implantation, tissue adjacent to the Surgisis ES invades the matrix, gradually replacing it; the body's tissue grows into the surgical site, while the graft maintains the needed tissue support, according to Cook.
• Surgisis Gold. Designed for all types of hernia repair, Surgisis Gold is an all-natural graft that "provides strength to reinforce weakened tissue while the body's natural healing process replaces the graft with host tissue," according to Cook Surgical. Further, says the company, because the graft contains no viable cells, tissue in-growth occurs without encapsulation or rejection.
• Surgisis IHM. This device is specially configured for use in reinforcing soft tissue in both open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs. The company says the Surgisis IHM features a perforated, naturally occurring collagen biomatrix with good handling characteristics and long-term biomechanical strength.

Indicated for open repair of abdominal wall hernia defects, the UltraPro Hernia System is a sterile, pre-shaped, three-dimensional device constructed of an undyed onlay patch connected by a mesh cylinder to an underlay patch that's enhanced with circular-dyed Prolene stitching. The system, launched in July, utilizes the proven design of the Prolene Polypropylene Hernia System, which the company says boasts the lowest reported recurrence rates compared to similar repair product. Because the underlay patch is reinforced by a flat, undyed, absorbable film of Monocryl, it provides complete posterior support and is easily and consistently deployed by the surgeon, while the overall lightweight construction provides for flexibility and enhanced patient comfort, according to Ethicon. While the UltraPro is said to conform well to the inguinal anatomy, it does not stretch significantly as a patient grows and is not suitable for use as a plug. The UltraPro system's mesh burst strength is four times stronger than maximum abdominal pressure, but 50 percent less foreign material remains in the body compared with traditional systems, according to Ethicon.

Sepramesh IP is a composite hernia repair mesh from Genzyme Biosurgery that features a polypropylene mesh co-knitted with a bioresorbable coating that, after it's hydrated, protects the bowel from adhesions to the mesh for up to 14 days during peritoneal healing, and swells to'cover sutures, tacks and edges of the mesh during ingrowth, says the company. The coating is bound to the mesh by interwoven fibers that are said to reinforce mesh strength during incorporation into the abdominal wall and minimize the risk of coating delamination. In pre-clinical animal studies, SeprameshIP outperformed standard polypropylene and ePTFE composite mesh in reducing dense bowel adhesions to the mesh, says Genzyme. Tissue incorporation of SeprameshIP was superior to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene composite mesh, and equivalent to standard polypropylene mesh. SeprameshIP, which comes in a variety of sizes and can be cut to appropriate size and shape to accommodate the hernia defect, features a flexible design with excellent memory, and ease of use for open and laparoscopic hernia repair, says the company.

Gore Medical's latest offering in the hernia repair arena is indicated for repair of inguinal hernia. Unlike permanent mesh, this 100 percent bioabsorbable plug composed of fibrous synthetic copolymer is absorbed into the body's natural tissue within six months, leaving a defect healed with native tissue, says Gore Medical. The unique design of the Bioabsorbable Hernia Plug serves as a scaffold to facilitate tissue regeneration, and the specifically designed absorption period encourages the internal injury to naturally heal itself, according to the company. This avoids chronic complications with some permanent hernia plugs, such as migration and nerve compression or encasement, which can lead to severe chronic pain. Finally, the Bioabsorbable Hernia Plug is said to be easily tailored to fit any defect.

SurgiMend is a strong, acellular dermal matrix that provides a collagen scaffold for soft tissue repair and reinforcement in hernia procedures, says TEI Biosciences. Derived from fetal bovine skin, one of the purest sources of collagen available, the product is distinguished by its ability to be rapidly penetrated by host cells, then revascularized, and progressively remodeled into functional, native tissue, says TEI. Because SurgiMend is manufactured without the use of chemical cross-linkers, the native biological information of the matrix is preserved, which makes it highly biocompatible and ensures no foreign-body reaction upon implantation. After a sub-one-minute hydration, SurgiMend offers exceptional handling characteristics and is at once naturally strong, soft and drapable, readily conforming to the surgical site, says TEI Biosciences. The product is easily cut and sutured, and is available in sizes as large as 13cm by 25cm.

Sterilization in just four minutes
Sterile Containment Technology's One Tray Sealed Container System is compliant with both AORN and AAMI recommendations for safe handling, transport and delivery of flash-sterilized items.

The sterilization containers are validated for rapidly processing a 25-pound gross weight load in a pre-vacuum cycle at 270'F in four minutes, says the company.

Combine the One Tray sealed containers and rapid processing solution to form a system that offers perioperative clinicians' convenience and safety for the rapid processing of surgical instruments, says Sterile Containment Technology. The system allows for the routine performance of just-in-time reprocessing of surgical instrumentation in response to unpredictable demand, including accepting instrument sets protected within their existing modular trays like orthopedic loaner sets, it adds.

Its aluminum alloy construction includes no moving parts and requires no daily maintenance.

The One Tray Sealed Sterilization Container System is available in various configurations, ranging in price from $1,000 to $1,380. For more information, call (510) 412-6383, visit www.onetray.com or circle number 167 on your Reader Service Card.

Clear your floor with an infusion ceiling system
Give your staff more room to move with a ceiling rail and carrier system. The ICS-2 Railing System and the ICS-3 Carrier System from Provita let you attach IV bags, pumps, lights and electrical outlets and let you pull monitors to move them out of your way, says the company.

The rails are suitable for use on all ceiling types and can be adapted to all room conditions. The ICS-2 system has an especially high carrying capacity, says Provita. Casters with ball bearings and an adjustable permanent brake enable quick and easy positioning of the ceiling supports, says the company.

The ICS-3 system should be used for pumps and other devices. It offers three joints and the internal power supply helps the staff keep the patient away from any extra cables.

The ICS-2 Railing System starts at about $700 per unit. The ICS-3 Carrier System starts at about $3,500 per unit. For more information, call (866) PROVITA, visit www.provitausa.com or circle number 168 on your Reader Service Card.

Safety infusion device protects your anesthesiologists
Reduce needle sticks with the SurePort Safety Infusion Device from IntraSafe Medical. Designated by the FDA as a safety device with sharps-injury protection features, the multi-port access device has both check valves and an aspiration port that connects to any 'off-line' Y-site.

The configuration allows anesthesiologists sterile intravenous access while reducing contamination opportunities inherent with stopcocks, says the company. To combat contamination, the SurePort Safety Infusion Device is pre-assembled and features swabbable Luer-lock connections and medium pressure one-way check valves on three ports, says IntraSafe Medical. A single aspiration port with no check valve is also provided.

There are no manual levers to operate and no need to manage multiple IV lines, adds the company.

IntraSafe Medical's SurePort Safety Infusion Devices list at $12 per unit. For more information, call (888) 314-4351, visit www.intrasafemedical.com or circle number 169 on your Reader Service Card.

The monitor packed with power
The Bis Vista standalone monitor offers you enhanced, user-friendly features, including user-configurable settings, Aspect Medical's DocuBis integrated record keeping and auditory and visual alarms with user-adjustable limits and volumes, says Aspect Medical.

The full color, 4-inch-by-5.25-inch LCD display has touchscreen navigation. USB ports offer system expandability and real-time updates, adds the company. You'll also get increased case storage and enhanced processing power from the 4.5-pound monitor that measures 7.5inches wide by 8 inches high by 6 inches deep, says Aspect Medical.

Its longer battery life gives you battery backup for 45 minutes at full operation and takes six hours to recharge, says the company.

The Bis Vista monitor lists for $8,500. For more information, call (800) 442-7688, visit www.aspectmedical.com or circle number 170 on your Reader Service Card.

Ergonomic, simple-to-use electrosurgical generator
With large displays and minimal adjustments required, the Mega Power Electrosurgical Generator from Megadyne is easier for your staff to use, says the company.

In addition to the standard modes typically offered in an electrosurgical generator, the Mega Power Electrosurgical Generator features an advanced cutting effect (ACE) mode and Constant Control technology, says the company.

The ACE mode delivers a scalpel-like cutting effect for minimal thermal necrosis and reduced scarring. Constant Control automatically monitors tissue impedance and adjusts power output to reduce tissue drag for a clean, accurate cutting effect at the lowest possible settings, says Megadyne.

A reserve power source holds power levels consistent in even the highest impedance tissues for less tissue drag and smooth tissue effects, it adds.

The Mega Power Electrosurgical Generator lists at $9,999. For more information, call (800) 747-6110, visit www.megadyne.com or circle number 171 on your Reader Service Card.

Knee replacement made for a woman
Stryker's Triathlon Knee System was designed to better meet the needs of women, the company says.

Triathlon Knee is offered in a wide range of sizing options that closely meet the anatomies of both men and women, says Stryker. Its smaller-sized implants have a more narrow design to help improve their fit and function for the female bone structure.

The system also gives your patients 150 degrees of flexion for a greater range of motion. Stryker says orthopedic surgeons reported patient outcomes showing the Triathlon Knee System offers 12 to 15 degrees of great range of motion one year after surgery.

Its advanced bearing surface, new X3 polyethylene, has demonstrated up to 79 percent less wear compared to conventional polyethylenes in laboratory testing, says Stryker.

The company did not disclose pricing. For more information, call (269) 385-2600, visit www.stryker.com or circle number 172 on your Reader Service Card.

Reusable electrosurgical pencil has the feel and function of a disposable
The lightweight, ergonomically designed E-Z Pen Reusable Electrosurgical Pencil will give you comfortable handling to make clean cuts safer and faster, says Megadyne.

Designed with a kink-resistant, 10-foot long cord, the E-Z Pen can be used with Megadyne's E-Z Clean non-stick tips. Fewer blade cleanings mean you can operate more efficiently and effectively, says Megadyne.

A built-in countdown mechanism and lockout feature functionality maximizes safety once its lifespan expires.

The E-Z Pen has a 12-use life-span, which promotes cost efficiency, says Megadyne, which didn't disclose a list price. For more information, call (800) 747-6110, visit www.megadyne.com or circle number 173 on your Reader Service Card.

Automated retraction IV catheter reduces needlestick injuries
The VanishPoint automated retraction IV catheter is designed to let you introduce the catheter to a vein or artery using a technique similar to a traditional catheter, but with protection from needlestick injuries, says Retractable Technologies.

The risk for disease transmission is higher from nee-dlestick injuries that result from IV devices, since the needles are usually filled with blood, notes the company. With the VanishPoint automated retraction IV catheter, before you remove the introducer needle, you can activate the safety mechanism, which automatically retracts the needle into the handle of the introducer, says the company.

Retractable Technologies didn't disclose a list price for the VanishPoint automated retraction IV catheter. For more information, call (888) 806-2626, visit www.vanishpoint.com or circle number 174 on your Reader Service Card.