Device and method for making a variable surface breast implant

A method for making a variable textured breast implant comprising the steps of:

• providing a breast implant mandrel having a molding surface and a stem depending therefrom, and a cured elastomeric breast implant shell disposed on the molding surface;
• providing a device comprising a member structured to engage the breast implant mandrel, the member including a base-engaging distal portion and a stem-engaging proximal portion depending from the base-engaging distal portion, the base-engaging distal portion comprising a base-engaging surface, an aperture defined in the base-engaging surface, and a proximally sloping rim circumscribing the base-engaging surface;
• positioning the device onto the mandrel;
• contacting the cured elastomeric implant shell on the molding surface with a tacky elastomer;
• contacting the tacky elastomer with texturing particles;
• removing the device from the mandrel;
• removing the texturing particles from the elastomer to thereby create a variable textured breast implant.

An assembly useful for making a breast implant shell, the assembly comprising:

• a mandrel having a molding surface and a stem depending therefrom;
• a device comprising a member structured to receive a portion of the molding surface and the stem, the member including a base-engaging distal portion and a stem-engaging proximal portion depending from the base-engaging distal portion;
• the base-engaging distal portion comprising a base-engaging surface, an aperture defined in the base-engaging surface, and a proximally sloping rim circumscribing the base-engaging surface;
• the stem-engaging proximal portion structured to receive a stem of a mandrel seated in the base engaging portion;
• the member providing a barrier for preventing silicone dispersion and/or texturing particles from contacting a portion of the mandrel when the mandrel is immersed in a silicone dispersion and/or texturing particles.