Patent ID: 8083755

Claim:
A resorbable polymeric mesh implant whose implant configuration varies over time after implantation for use in reconstruction of soft tissue defects, wherein the mesh implant comprises: at least a first material, and a second material, wherein the second material is substantially degraded at a later point in time than the first material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material includes both the modulus of elasticity of the material itself and also the elasticity due to a present structural configuration of the first material in said implant configuration, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the second material includes both the modulus of elasticity of the material itself and also the elasticity due to a present structural configuration of the second material in said implant configuration, wherein: the modulus of elasticity of the mesh implant is substantially constant and equal to the modulus of elasticity of the first material following a time of implantation and until said first material is substantially degraded, and the modulus of elasticity of the mesh implant is substantially equal to the modulus of elasticity of the second material after the first material is substantially degraded, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the second material is lower than the modulus of elasticity of the first material, and wherein the first substantially degraded material is substantially degraded at a point in time within a time range of 2-13 days following implantation, wherein the modulus of elasticity of the first material is such that, before the first material is substantially degraded, an elongation of the mesh implant is in a range of 0 to 20% when subjected to a load of 16 N/cm, wherein the elongation of the mesh implant is in a range of 18 to 32%, when subjected to a load of 16 N/cm, after the first material has substantially degraded.