Patent ID: 8895045

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a biocompatible tissue implant, comprising: providing a solution comprising a foam forming, biocompatible polymer in a lyophilizing solvent, said solvent having a freezing point; providing a biocompatible polymeric reinforcement member, said reinforcement member comprising a polymer that is soluble in the lypophilizing solvent, and, a biocompatible polymeric coating having a thickness applied to said member, wherein said polymeric coating comprises a coating polymer that is substantially insoluble in the lyophilizing solvent; placing the polymeric reinforcement member in a cavity of a suitable mold; adding the solution to the cavity of the mold such that at least a part of the cavity is filled with the solution and at least part of the reinforcing member is in contact with the solution; and, cooling the reinforcement member and solution to below the freezing point of the solvent, and lyophilizing.