Medical implant with seamlessly connected bacterial cellulose

An implant with a support structure and a functional element produced by a method comprising the following steps:

• a) providing the support structure, the support structure having a three-dimensional shape;
• b) providing a three-dimensional mold of the functional element;
• c) positioning the mold relative to the support structure;
• d) providing a medium comprising a bacterial cellulose-producing bacteria such that the medium contacts the mold and the support structure;
• e) subjecting the mold, the support structure, and the medium to bacterial cellulose-growing conditions to grow bacterial cellulose on, in, or on and in the mold (1) to form the functional element from the bacterial cellulose and (2) to embed at least a part of the support structure in at least a part of the bacterial cellulose of the functional element, thereby connecting the functional element to the support structure;
• and
• f) drying the bacterial cellulose at a temperature of from 40 to 70° C.,
• thereby forming the functional element comprised of non-swellable bacterial cellulose and having a three-dimensional shape that deviates at least in part from the three-dimensional shape of the support structure, wherein at least a part of the support structure is embedded in the functional element.