Reinforced tissue implants and methods of manufacture and use

A method for making a reinforced foam, biocompatible tissue implant, comprising:

• providing a solution of a foam forming polymeric material in a suitable solvent;
• providing a mesh-like reinforcing material;
• placing the reinforcing material in a mold in a desired postion and at a desired orientation;
• adding the solution to the mold in a controlled manner;
• and
• lyophilizing the solution to obtain a tissue implant having a mesh reinforced foam component.

A method of repairing a tissue tear, comprising:

• providing a biocompatible tissue implant comprising a bioabsorbable polymeric foam component having pores with an open cell pore structure and a reinforcing component formed of a biocompatible, mesh-containing material, wherein the foam component is integrated with the reinforcement component such that the pores of the foam component penetrate the mesh of the reinforcing component and interlock with the reinforcing component;
• placing the implant in a desired position relative to the tissue tear;
• and
• suturing the implant in the desired postion.