Biodegradable prosthesis

A tympanic membrane prosthesis comprising:

• a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending through the tubular body and open at each of the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the tubular body defines a longitudinal axis and has a first width in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a first flange at one of the proximal end and the distal end, the lumen extending through the first flange, the first flange having a second width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second width being greater than the first width,
• wherein the tubular body and the first flange form a structurally self-supporting, body compatible, and body absorbable device, the device being formed of a composite structure that includes an inner portion having an inside surface material that forms the lumen extending through the tubular body and an outer portion having an outside surface material, the inner portion having a first resorption rate that is different than a second resorption rate of the outer portion such that the tubular body has a variable resorption rate along the first width, the outside surface material adapted to produce an inflammatory reaction in adjacent tissue at a tympanic membrane, and the device being adapted for insertion into an opening through the tympanic membrane for placement with the proximal end and the distal end disposed on opposite sides of the tympanic membrane.