Modular facial implant system

Abstract

A modular prosthesis for implantation beneath the skin is described. The modular prosthesis comprises a universal shell, which is relatively thin and substantially planar, having the general size and shape required for the prosthesis. The prosthesis is a composite structure consisting of the universal shell and one or more shims. The shims are individually cut from a shim sheet of a biocompatible material of suitable thickness. The shim sheet has a shell-contacting surface with means thereon for attaching the shim to the shell. The shims are cut from the shim sheet and attached to the shell to construct a prosthesis providing the desired contour to the overlying tissue following implantation. In a preferred embodiment, the universal shell and the shims have releasable interlocking means therebetween which permits changing the shims or adding shims to the prosthesis as required.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.