TAS
Tissue Approximation System
A self-locking force modulating closure device that redistributes tension across the repair site to help support restoration of normal anatomy.
Hernias are a biomechanical failure of force distribution
Tissue Approximation System (TAS)
The Tissue Approximation System (TAS) is a self-locking, force modulating closure device designed to facilitate controlled approximation of fascial tissue while preserving abdominal wall integrity and function. By optimizing tissue approximation, TAS aims to enhance repair durability while minimizing implant burden.
The device incorporates a unidirectional locking mechanism that permits incremental tensioning of the strap following placement and provides a substantially greater tissue contact area than conventional #0 monofilament suture . The braided suture leader provides initial low resistance insertion of the fixation device through tissue. TAS supports serial or sequential closure strategies, enabling earlier definitive closure. TAS may have the potential to increase the feasibility of primary fascial closure in cases that might otherwise require extensive suturing, large mesh implants, component separation, or bridged repair.
The TAS self-locking closure device is designed for controlled tissue approximation
TAS – Tissue Approximation System is engineered to:
Distribute tissue forces across the repair construct
to reduce localized stress at individual suture sites during tissue approximation.
Provide procedural flexibility
by supporting tissue approximation across a variety of surgical approaches, including open and minimally invasive techniques, as determined by the surgeon.
Support Sequential Closure
by enabling gradual or sequential tissue approximation to assist surgeons in managing challenging abdominal wall defects and achieving fascial closure.
Promote more uniform force distribution
across the abdominal wall, which may reduce reliance on high-tension closure techniques and may provide an alternative to mesh reinforcement in selected cases, as determined by the surgeon.
Provide an alternative approach to tissue approximation
that may reduce the need for extensive tissue mobilization associated with certain reconstructive techniques, depending on patient anatomy and surgical judgment.
Offer surgeons an additional option for abdominal wall reconstruction
unlike conventional sutures or mesh fixation alone, TAS leverages an innovative force-distribution design to approximate tissue with a fundamentally different mechanism.
Force Modulating Closure Devices
For Soft Tissue Repair
Unlike conventional sutures and mesh, TAS self-locking closure device is designed to reduce stress concentration at suture points by using ligature straps with locking heads and an increased width profile than conventional #0 monofilament suture. The wider fixation element demonstrated substantially greater intrinsic tensile strength than conventional monofilament suture.8 Increased tissue contact area was associated with significantly greater resistance to tissue pull-through and improved mechanical performance of the complete abdominal wall closure construct under acute loading conditions.8
The need for mesh in hernia repair has often been a response to the inability to achieve adequate primary fascial closure from suture alone.5
The greater width of the TAS self-locking ligature straps, when compared to #0 monofilament suture, decreases the pressure exerted on the tissue during abdominal wall approximation, reducing localized stress at individual fixation points.
TAS is designed to provide controlled, gradual approximation of tissue edges while reducing the pressure on the tissue at fixation points. This engineering approach is intended to support tissue approximation without concentrating loads at individual suture sites.
What surgeons are saying
The views expressed are those of the individual healthcare providers based on their own experience and do not necessarily reflect the views of TAS Medical. Individual experiences may vary. The statements are not intended to represent clinical evidence or guarantee any particular outcome.
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TAS Medical is advancing surgical closure through innovative technologies designed to support surgeons with intuitive solutions for tissue approximation and abdominal wall reconstruction.
Page References
1. Klinge U, Binnebösel M, Rosch R, Mertens PR. Hernia recurrence as a problem of biology and collagen. Journal of Minimal Access Surgery. 2006;2(3):151–154.
2. Jansen PL, Mertens PR, Klinge U, Schumpelick V. The biology of hernia formation. Surgery. 2004;136(1):1–4.
3. Luijendijk RW, Hop WCJ, van den Tol MP, et al. A Comparison of Suture Repair with Mesh Repair for Incisional Hernia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000;343(6):392–398.
4. Muysoms FE, Antoniou SA, Bury K, et al. European Hernia Society guidelines on the closure of abdominal wall incisions. Hernia. 2015;19:1–24.
5. Holihan JL, Nguyen DH, Flores-Gonzalez JR, et al. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and reviews in the management of ventral hernias. Journal of Surgical Research. 2016;204(2):311–318.
6. Holihan JL, Askenasy EP, Greenberg JA, et al. Mesh Location in Open Ventral Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. World Journal of Surgery. 2016;40:89–99.
7. Janis JE, et al. Clinically Applied Biomechanics of Mesh-Reinforced Ventral Hernia Repair: A Practical Review. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2024.
8. Chin, et al. Fixation Geometry as an Independent Biomechanical Variable in Abdominal Wall Closure - TAS Medical
The Tissue Approximation System (TAS) consists of polyamide (nylon) non-absorbable zip-ties attached to braided polyethylene terephthalate (PET, or Dacron) suture leaders to aid insertion. Suture leaders have various ends including loops and plain, cut ends. Instruments may include suture passer(s), a blunt dissector, a needle, and knot pusher(s)/cutter(s). The zip-tie is a non-USP suture because it is secured using a clasp instead of a knot and its diameter is not within the USP designated sizes. The closest USP size for which our device has met knot-pull tensile test requirements is size 7.
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.
The Tissue Approximation System (TAS) is intended for single-patient, single-use only. Do not reuse, reprocess, or resterilize the device. Use only if the packaging is intact and the device has not passed its expiration date.
Do not use the TAS in patients with a known allergy to nylon (polyamide), where permanent tensile strength is required, or for epidermal (surface) skin closure. The device should not be used in ischemic or necrotic tissue.
As with all suture-based wound closure devices, potential complications may include infection, erythema, foreign body reaction, transient inflammation, seroma formation, and, in rare cases, wound dehiscence. Appropriate patient selection, surgical technique, and the use of an adequate number of devices are important to support optimal wound healing.
Caution: Federal (U.S.) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a licensed healthcare practitioner. Please refer to the Instructions for Use for complete indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and instructions for use.