Dr. H.c. Robert Mathys Stiftung

Louis Schlapbach

Beat Gasser

Laurent Dominique Piveteau

A bioactive surface layer with 0.01 &mgr;m to 5 mm thickness is suitable for a metallic bone implant. The surface layer has the following composition: (A) calcium compounds (CaX) consisting of crystalline calcium phosphate (CaP), calcium apatites (CaAp) and/or calcium carbonate (CaCO,), in a proportion expressed by the following equation: 100% (CaX)&equals;&Sgr;&lsqb;x % (CaP)&plus;y % (CaCO,)&rsqb;, in which x&plus;y&plus;z&equals;100, 0&lE;x&lE;100; 0&lE;y&lE;100; 0&lE;z&lE;100, and in the form of particles 20 nm to 4 mm; and (B) amorphous or crystalline metal oxide (MeO). The ratio between CAX and MeO in the surface layer can be preferably varied as a result of the specific coating process. The thickness of the surface layer lies between 0.01 &mgr;m and 5 mm and the CaX particles are 20 nm to 4 mm large.

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Muri, Switzerland

Louis Schlapbach