Michael J Tozzi, Chief Executive Officer. TAS Medical, Inc.
We seek to eliminate the need for surgical mesh in ventral hernia repairs and to convert procedures from open surgery to a laparoscopic repair.
There are 350,000 ventral hernia repairs in the United States each year and many more around the globe. Most of these surgeries (~75%) are performed via an open repair and almost all require the use of surgical mesh. Open surgery for ventral hernia carries significant cost and co-morbidities compared to the laparoscopic approach. Most notably, length of stay and back to work recovery. The Laparoscopic approach for ventral hernia has its own set of drawbacks. The small working channel created in the laparoscopic space make it difficult for surgeons to achieve closure of the rectus fascia. During the current laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, the hernia defect often remains open and is covered by a large piece of surgical mesh. This is considered unsatisfying for many patients and physicians. Also, many ventral hernias require components separation which is thought by many to be best performed via an open repair. There is a large unmet need for a medical device that would allow for full thickness ventral hernia closure during a minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery. Such a device may have the opportunity to eliminate the need for mesh in many patients while saving healthcare hundreds of millions of dollars through the conversion to a minimally invasive procedure.
The Trans Abdominal Strap (TAS) incorporates the use of medical grade zip straps to quickly and effectively produce a full thickness abdominal wall closer via laparoscopic ventral hernia surgery. Through tiny incisions and a subcutaneous guide, the zip strap is able to create a full loop across the subcutaneous space and around the edges of the hernia defect. This allows for fast and efficient closure of both the anterior and posterior fascia. (full thickness) With the zip strap’s significantly larger diameter (compared to suture), we strive to create a more durable repair that can be achieve in less procedure time and allow for the first to market, full thickness closure device for minimally invasive ventral hernia repair.
Our product and company are fortunate to have two highly respected hernia surgeons on our Medical Advisory Board who have helped to guide our development. Our team has significant experience delivering medical device concepts into commercialization.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 98695
Program Number: ETP730
Presentation Session: Emerging Technology Poster Session (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster