A hybrid medical implant having a biocompatible, nonabsorbable core portion and
a bioabsorbable textured outer surface portion overlying the core portion. The
hybrid implant is useful as a prosthesis for tissue augmentation and/or reconstruction.
The core portion of the implant includes a body formed from a nonabsorbable, biocompatible
implantable material such as silicone or urethane elastomer. The core portion may
be either a solid body, a viscous gel body or a fluid-filled shell. The textured
outer surface portion envelops the core portion and presents an irregular, bioabsorbable
textured surface to the exterior environment. As a capsule forms around the implant
following implantation, the irregular contour of the outer surface of the implant
disorients structural proteins in the capsule to impede spherical contraction thereof.
Either during the formation of the capsule and/or after the capsule is formed,
the outer bioabsorbable surface portion of the implant is absorbed by the body
of the host. After bioabsorbtion of the bioabsorbable outer surface portion, the
remaining core portion of the implant remains enveloped by the capsule but unattached
to capsular tissue. The outer bioabsorbable portion of the hybrid implant may include
more than one biocompatible, bioabsorbable material.
