DE102019202087A1 - Process for treating surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for treating surfaces by means of a blasting material in order to preferably obtain a roughened surface, at least one water-soluble blasting material being used as the blasting material. The present invention also relates to a workpiece which can be obtained by the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for treating surfaces, in particular medical-technical surfaces, by means of a blasting material. The present invention relates in particular to a method for treating surfaces by means of a blasting material in order to preferably obtain a roughened surface, in which at least one water-soluble blasting material is used as the blasting material. The invention also relates to a workpiece which can be obtained by the method.

STATE OF THE ART

Treatments of surfaces are of interest for numerous technical applications. Roughened surfaces are advantageous for many technical applications. Particularly in the medical field, for example in the case of endoprostheses or implants that remain in the body for a longer period of time or permanently, it can be advantageous to obtain a rough surface in order to improve the growth of the body's own cells and tissues. It is known that such endo-prostheses with a rough surface often grow together better with the tissue than comparable endo-prostheses with a smooth surface. A microstructurally roughened surface can also be technically advantageous in a cell culture of adherent cells, since the cells can adhere better. In addition, a roughened surface can also be technically advantageous for other reasons. It can lead to a visually desirable matt finish or can lead to better bondable areas. The gentle removal of corrosion from surfaces, for example on metal surfaces, as well as the removal of grease and / or lacquer / paint layers is regularly of technical interest.

In medical technology applications such as dental implants, artificial joints, stents, etc., a highly pure and, in many cases, increased roughness of the medical technology surface for the purpose of improved growth ability of the biological material is necessary or at least desirable. A roughened surface can activate the primary cell adhesion on the microstructure (microstructural) of the surface. The properties of the material surface are decisive for the applicability of a material in biomedical applications. Materials that meet the important requirements of biocompatibility and strength are used today to manufacture implants. Most endosseous implants are made from pure titanium or titanium alloys. This metal, which has been used in medicine (orthopedics) for years for implants (endo-prostheses), is accepted by the body, with unfavorable reactions such as Allergies or rejection reactions occur only to a small extent.

Particularly in the case of endoprostheses, such as, for example, dental implants, in particular their intra-osseous parts, such as implant screws, it is often of particular interest that the surface is microstructuredly roughened to improve the growth of the body's own cells and tissues. For example, implants are being used increasingly frequently in dentistry in order to permanently compensate for the complete loss of a tooth. In this context, implants are artificially produced “replacement teeth” that are anchored or to be anchored in the jawbone, which can also be regarded as endo-exo-prostheses (hence endo-prostheses). These replacement teeth can fulfill their permanent and complication-free function if they grow together firmly, resiliently and without inflammation with the jawbone. The implants often, but not necessarily, have a conical shape and screw-like spiral grooves (see 1 ).

You will e.g. Mechanically introduced by an implantologist, therefore "screwed in". The part of an implant anchored in the jawbone (endosseous part), the implant screw, often consists of a metal (e.g. titanium) or a ceramic material (e.g. zirconium dioxide). Growing in, i.e. the establishment of a firm connection between the implant screw and the jawbone, is a complex process in which bone cells (osteocytes) are firmly and densely attached to the surface molecules of the implant.

Ceramic or plastic materials are playing an increasingly important role in the more recent medical technology developments. They require a roughened, but highly pure and germ-free surface for better tissue growth. This poses particular challenges for surface processing, as increased purity in the case of abrasive processing usually represent contrary objectives.

In principle, all implant manufacturers endeavor to expand the contact surface by enlarging the implant surface through a microstructural dimension. Surface structuring through mechanical processing such as sandblasting, etching techniques or coatings are used. A mineral or metal-based blasting material such as aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) is usually used as the blasting material.

1. (I) Die geometrische Form der Implantatschraube, die jedoch im Formgebungsprozess bestimmt wird und anatomisch und therapeutisch weitgehend vorgegeben ist.
2. (II) Die Feinstruktur (Rauigkeit) der Oberfläche der Implantatschraube. Sie ist häufig von entscheidender Bedeutung, denn sie bestimmt, insbesondere in mikroskopischem Maßstab, die Größe der Kontaktfläche. Zudem kann das Maß ihrer Hydrophilie das Osteozytenwachstum im molekularen Bereich beeinflussen.
3. (III) Die Menge und die Art körperfremder Partikel an der Implantatschraube zum Zeitpunkt der Verankerung im Kieferknochen.

Numerous factors can determine the speed and strength of bone apposition. Essentially, the following three factors (I) to (III) apply to the implant screw itself:

1. (I) The geometric shape of the implant screw, which, however, is determined in the shaping process and is largely given anatomically and therapeutically.
2. (II) The fine structure (roughness) of the surface of the implant screw. It is often of critical importance because it determines, especially on a microscopic scale, the size of the contact area. In addition, the degree of their hydrophilicity can influence osteocyte growth in the molecular range.
3. (III) The amount and type of exogenous particles on the implant screw at the time it is anchored in the jawbone.

Therefore, the fine structure (roughness) and the purity of the surface from harmful substances play a decisive role in the success of the use of endo-prostheses such as dental implants. This also applies to other endo-prostheses. An advantageous treatment of surfaces is therefore of particular technical interest.

Different methods are available for treating surfaces, such as roughening them. The surface can be changed using various coating processes, etched with acids, treated with gases using plasma etching, irradiated with laser or treated with a blasting material.

A coating is technically complex, cost-intensive and leads to a material boundary layer between the carrier material and the coating, which is undesirable in many areas of application and which, depending on the technical area of application, can represent a mechanical weak point.

Etching with acids has i.a. the technical disadvantage that corrosive and possibly incompatible chemicals have to be used. Because it is necessary to etch the workpieces, for example using highly aggressive and environmentally harmful acids and alkalis, such as hydrofluoric acid or sulfuric acid, in order to remove blasting agent residues. This is disadvantageous in terms of handling and undesired impurities often remain, e.g. the acids or reaction products formed on the surface of the treated workpiece. Plasma etching with gases is also frequently associated with the formation of undesirable reagents and by-products and is technically complex and cost-intensive. The residues that remain on the surface are detrimental to the patient and the success of the therapy. In addition, such processes are often environmentally harmful and difficult to handle. This is often disadvantageous, particularly in the field of endoprostheses.

Treatment with laser beams is also technically very complex and can lead to undesirable inhomogeneous oxidation of the surface and is also cost-intensive.

For many applications, therefore, radiation treatment seems to be preferable. A large number of methods for blasting different workpieces are known from the prior art, different blasting media or different blasting material being used. Blasting and abrasives such as aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, steel particles, glass particles or the like are often used.

From the DE 693 14 709 T2 an artificial blasting medium based on zirconium dioxide is known. The blasting medium consists of sintered particles based on zirconium dioxide, each particle consisting of a sintered body of, for example, stabilized zirconium dioxide.

In the WO 2009/101025 A1 a method for producing a cutting insert is known in which a blasting treatment with, for example, steel, glass or ZrO ₂ as blasting agent takes place as the blasting agent.

The workpieces can, for example, be components of mechanical engineering or also medical technology, for example dental technology.

If the workpiece is a component of dental technology, it can be, for example, a tooth replacement system according to the WO 2018/046148 A1 act, which is made of ceramic and includes an implant for osseointegration in a jawbone.

After applying the methods described above, either the blasting material used remains as a waste product or has to be reprocessed through complex procedures or decomposed during the blasting treatment. Furthermore, the machined workpieces can have blasting agent residues that have to be removed in a complex manner.

From the point of view of an environmentally and health-conscious technician, these established methods, such as sandblasting, blasting with minerals (blasting treatment), such as aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, aluminum oxide, steel, glass, etc. or etching as explained above are technically disadvantageous. On the one hand, the impact on the user of these processes and on the environment is comparatively high. On the other hand, the molecular blasting material and etchant residues on the surface of an endo-prosthesis (e.g. an implant screw) can affect the cell health in the surrounding tissue undesirably affect and lead to inflammatory reactions. Another disadvantage of these prior art processes is that residues of the blasting material used cannot be removed completely or poorly. In this way, particles and fragments of the blasting material that have penetrated into the irradiated material itself, partially or in cracks, can only be removed again with great technical effort.

In numerous applications, in particular in medical applications such as endoprostheses, such impurities are undesirable. Therefore, known methods usually require extremely careful follow-up treatment because the endo-prosthesis (e.g. an implant screw) has to be completely freed from the foreign substances (e.g. minerals, metals and corrosive substances, i.e. gases, acids or bases) used during sandblasting or etching .

Thus, new methods are desired that are simple to use and that leave less residue or can be easily removed.

Methods for blasting treatment are known in which the blasting material used can be reprocessed and / or decomposed by different methods. It is advantageous to decompose the abrasive used directly on the surface of the workpiece in order to avoid residues of the abrasive.

In the DE 10 2016 011 808 A1 a method for treating a surface with a blasting agent is known, the blasting material containing dry ice. In addition, a chemical compound that decomposes into gaseous components when a decomposition temperature is exceeded is added as a blasting additive. The aim is to ensure that no or only minor blasting media residues remain on the workpiece to be treated. The surface to be treated must therefore be brought to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the blasting additive before, during or after the blasting with the blasting agent. When the surface is heated to a temperature above the decomposition temperature at the latest, the blasting additive breaks down into its gaseous constituents and does not have to be removed from the workpiece in complex cleaning procedures. This in DE 10 2016 011 808 However, the process taught has, inter alia, the technical disadvantage that greatly increased temperatures are necessary in order to enable the abrasive to be effectively decomposed into gaseous reaction products. In addition, this method is optimized for the removal of comparatively soft residues in the production of plastic parts that should not themselves be damaged and is therefore hardly suitable for roughening surfaces, in particular harder surfaces.

There is therefore a need for technically effective methods for treating surfaces, in particular abrasive methods in which residues on the surface can be avoided and which can preferably also be carried out at moderate temperatures. In addition, it was desirable to provide a method of surface treatment that can be technically implemented in a particularly effective manner, in which the impact on the environment and the health of implant recipients is minimized.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a method for blasting treatment in which easily removable, in particular ecologically acceptable, as well as easily producible blasting media are used and with which blasting media residues that cannot be further removed or can be used are avoided as waste products. A further object of the invention is to provide a method with which blasting material residues can be removed from the surface of the treated workpieces, especially in medical technology, easily and quickly without the use of highly aggressive and environmentally harmful cleaning agents.

This object is achieved by a method according to the independent claim. Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly, a method was found in which a surface can be treated and the blasting material can be washed away with an aqueous solution.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating a surface by means of a blasting material in order to preferably obtain a roughened surface, at least one water-soluble blasting material being used as the blasting material.

The invention also relates to a method for the abrasive treatment of surfaces, preferably medical-technical surfaces, by means of a blasting material.

The present invention therefore also relates to methods for the (abrasive) treatment of surfaces by means of a blasting material, characterized in that at least one water-soluble blasting material, preferably a water-soluble and crystal-based blasting material, is used as the blasting material.

The invention also relates to a method for the abrasive treatment of surfaces, in particular medical-technical surfaces such as dental implants, by means of a blasting material. It is therefore proposed that a water-soluble abrasive be used as the abrasive, preferably water-soluble and crystals are used as the abrasive. The blasting material can thus be very easily dissolved by means of water and for the purpose of better solubility at an elevated temperature, for example 50 ° C. and more, and washed off a surface after processing. This means that there is no need for an aggressive cleaning process and, after the roughening process, a very clean and residue-free surface can be obtained very quickly and easily. The surface is preferably a surface of a workpiece that has a handy format so that this workpiece can be placed in a water bath after the blasting treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the surface can be a surface of a medical technology product. The workpiece can be made of different materials. For example, ceramic, steel, plastic or even titanium are possible.

The use of a water-soluble blasting material enables all blasting material residues or blasting material residues to be dissolved by the action of the water bath after the workpiece has been placed in a water bath. In particular, on a surface roughened by the method, in which the blasting material hooks after treatment, no residues of the blasting material remain. The water-solubility of the blasting material means that there is no need for complex chemical processes to remove the residues.

In other words, a method that is easy to use and can be used without chemical additives or without the use of chemical elements is provided with which the surface of a workpiece can be roughened and residues of the blasting material on the surface can be removed easily and quickly. Furthermore, the use of a water-soluble abrasive enables an environmentally friendly and resource-saving process.

As used herein, the term “blasting material” is to be understood in the broadest sense as any material that is suitable for treating a surface by means of irradiation, in particular roughening a surface by means of irradiation. The person skilled in the art knows that the blasting material is typically particulate. Typically and preferably, the blasting material is solid particles. Alternatively, colloid particles or liquid droplets can in principle also be used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material represents solid or colloid particles. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material represents solid particles.

The use according to the invention is preferably an abrasive treatment of the surface. As used herein, the term “abrasive” is understood in the broadest sense as a process in which the material of the surface is removed by irradiation with the blasting material. An abrasive process can therefore also be referred to as a subtractive process. Alternatively, the treatment according to the invention can also represent a mere reshaping of the surface, for example in that the blasting material deforms it when it hits the surface, thus indenting or scratching it.

In the context of the present invention, the term “irradiation” can be understood in the broadest sense as any application of a particle beam to a surface. Typically this is a spray treatment, hence the spraying of particles for surface treatment. The irradiation is preferably able to change the treated surface, such as roughening it and / or removing corrosive areas. Also can i.a. Grease, paint or varnish layers are removed.

As used herein, the term “water-soluble” is generally understood by the person skilled in the art as a property of the blasting material described, in (pure) water (pH 7.0 (typically before the blasting material is dissolved)) at room temperature (therefore 20 ° C) and normal pressure (1013 hPa) have a solubility of at least 1 g / l.
It will be understood that pH in the context of solubility typically relates to the pH of the water prior to dissolving the abrasive. It will be understood that this can change as the blasting material itself changes pH.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a solubility of at least 10 g / l water (at 20 ° C., pH 7.0 and 1013 hPa). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a solubility of at least 50 g / l water (at 20 ° C., pH 7.0 and 1013 hPa). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a solubility of at least 100 g / l water (at 20 ° C., pH 7.0 and 1013 hPa). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a solubility of at least 1000 g / l water (at 20 ° C., pH 7.0 and 1013 hPa).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire im The blasting material used in the process has a solubility of at least 10 g / l water, at least 50 g / l water, at least 100 g / l water or at least 1000 g / l water (at 20 ° C, pH 7.0 and 1013 hPa).

Preferably, all of the blasting material used in the process can be easily removed. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire blasting material used in the process consists exclusively of one or more species of particles that have a water solubility of at least 10 g / l water at 20 ° C and 1013 hPa and / or their vapor pressure at 20 ° C is above 1013 hPa.

Therefore, according to the invention, a water-soluble blasting material can also optionally be combined with one or more other species of water-soluble blasting material and / or with one or more species of a blasting material that evaporates rapidly at normal temperature (20 ° C, 1013 hPa).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire blasting material used in the process consists exclusively of one or more species of particles which have a water solubility of at least 10 g / l of water at 20 ° C. and 1013 hPa.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such an evaporating blasting material has a vapor pressure at 0 ° C. of over 1013 hPa. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such an evaporating blasting material has a vapor pressure at -20 ° C. of over 1013 hPa. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such an evaporating blasting material has a vapor pressure at −50 ° C. of over 1013 hPa. Such a vaporizing blasting material therefore preferably has a boiling or sublimation temperature of 1013 hPa below 0 ° C, in particular below -20 ° C or below -50 ° C. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such an evaporating blasting material represents dry ice particles. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material comprises or consists of a mixture of a water-soluble blasting material and dry ice particles.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire blasting material used in the process consists exclusively of one or more species of particles which have a water solubility of at least 10 g / l water at 20 ° C and 1013 hPa and / or their vapor pressure at 20 ° C is above 1013 hPa.

As used herein, particles are generally solid particles. Accordingly, when step (ii) is carried out, they are generally in a solid state of aggregation. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire blasting material used in the process consists exclusively of one or more species of particles which have a water solubility of at least 10 g / l of water at 20 ° C. and 1013 hPa.

As used herein, a roughness can include the microstructure (micro-roughness, micro-structural) and / or the macro-structure (macro-roughness, macroscopic) of the surface. Microroughness can be understood in the broadest sense as indentations and / or corrugations of the surface in the size range from 0.1 to 100 µm (approximately microscopically visible). Macro-roughness can be understood in the broadest sense as indentations and / or corrugations of the surface in the size range from 0.1 to 1 mm (e.g. microscopically or visually visible without aids).
The roughness can also be adjusted by selecting the steel material used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roughness is a micro-roughness and represents a surface roughness in the range from 0.5 to 10 μm, in particular in the range from 1 to 3 μm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material is distributed in a carrier medium.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method according to the invention also comprises a step of washing the irradiated surface obtained with an aqueous solvent.

1. (i) Bereitstellen:
   1. (A) mindestens eines wasserlöslichen Strahlguts,
   2. (B) eines Trägermediums, insbesondere eines Trägergasstroms, und
   3. (C) der zu behandelnden Oberfläche;
2. (ii) Bestrahlen der Oberfläche mit dem mittels des Trägermediums gegen die Oberfläche stoßenden mindestens einen Strahlguts; und
3. (iii) optional Waschen der aus Schritt (ii) erhaltenen bestrahlten Oberfläche mit einem wässrigen Lösungsmittel.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

1. (i) Provide:
   1. (A) at least one water-soluble blasting material,
   2. (B) a carrier medium, in particular a carrier gas stream, and
   3. (C) the surface to be treated;
2. (ii) irradiating the surface with the at least one blasting material impacting against the surface by means of the carrier medium; and
3. (iii) optionally washing the irradiated surface obtained from step (ii) with an aqueous solvent.

The step of irradiating the surface with the means of the carrier medium against the At least one blasting material impacting the surface can also be described as irradiating the surface with the at least one blasting material distributed in the carrier medium.

As used herein, an aqueous solvent is to be understood in the broadest sense as any water-based solvent. It can optionally contain one or more other water-soluble constituents, such as those selected from the group consisting of salts, alcohols (e.g. one or more readily vaporizable alcohols such as those selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol) and buffer substances . According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous solvent is non-toxic.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous solvent is water. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous solvent is an aqueous buffer solution. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous solvent is an aqueous alcoholic solution (for example containing one or more readily vaporizable alcohols, for example those selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol).

An aqueous solvent preferably contains at least 50% by weight of water, at least 75% by weight of water, at least 90% by weight of water, at least 95% by weight of water, at least 98% by weight of water, or at least 99% by weight. -% Water. The aqueous solvent preferably has a pH in the range from pH 2 to pH 13, pH 3 to pH 12, pH 4 to pH 11, pH 5 to pH 10 or pH 6 to pH 9. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous solvent has a pH in the range from pH 6 to pH 8, for example from (approximately) pH 7. The water used can have any hardness. Tap water, (partially) deionized water or distilled water can be used as water. For example, the hardness range for tap water can be in the range from 8.4 to 14.0 ° dH.

As described above, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material represents solid particles. These can in principle have any properties. For example, the size can be any.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has an average particle size d ₅₀ , based on the total mass of particles of the corresponding blasting material species (therefore mass average particle size d ₅₀ ), in the range from 1 to 2000 μm. According to the usual understanding, the value of the (mass) mean particle size d ₅₀ denotes the particle size for which 50% by weight of the total mass of abrasive particles is <d ₅₀ and the 50% by weight of the total mass of abrasive particles is Size> d ₅₀ . The particle size can be set and determined using sieves.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a mass average particle size d ₅₀ in the range from 10 to 2000 μm, 20 to 1000 μm, 30 to 500 μm, 50 to 200 μm or 75 to 150 μm.

The mass average particle size can be reduced by grinding. A certain mass average particle size can optionally be selected by sieving.

The blasting material can be in any form. It can be crystalline, colloidal, or amorphous. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one blasting material is a crystalline blasting material. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the (entire) blasting material is crystalline blasting material.

The treatment of the surface (e.g. reshaping / indentation / abrasion) can be brought about by the physicochemical properties and / or the kinetic energy of the steel (e.g. from blasted particles)

The hardness of the blasting material can be any. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a greater hardness (for example Mohs or Rockwell hardness) than the surface.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material has a hardness less than or equal to that of the surface and the treatment of the surface is achieved by the kinetic energy of the blasting material. If the hardness of the blasting material is less than / equal to that of the surface, the treatment of the surface (e.g. deformation / indentation / abrasion) can also mainly (possibly even (almost) exclusively) through the kinetic energy of the steel material (e.g. from blasted particles) be brought about.

The surface can be blasted with the blasting material in any way. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material is applied to the surface to be treated by means of a flow of a carrier medium, preferably with a kinetic energy which is sufficient to treat the surface. The blasting material can be in a carrier gas flow are distributed or distributed in a carrier liquid. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier medium is a carrier gas stream. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier medium is a carrier gas flow and the blasting material distributed in the carrier gas flow is blown onto the surface.

Any medium can be used as the carrier medium. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier medium is a gas, therefore used as a gas stream. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier medium is an inert gas flow (eg nitrogen or noble gas (eg helium, neon or argon) flow) or a compressed air flow. A carrier gas flow can be blown in any desired manner and can be adjusted accordingly by the person skilled in the art.
According to the invention, any blowing pressure (also “spray pressure” in the case of a spray method) can be used when carrying out the method according to the invention. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a blowing pressure of 0.1 to 100 bar is used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a blowing pressure of 0.25 to 20 bar, 0.5 to 10 bar, 1 to 5 bar or 1.5 to 2 bar is used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier medium is an inert gas flow or a compressed air flow and is blown onto the surface to be treated with a blowing pressure of 0.1 to 100 bar (also “sprayed” in a spraying process).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier medium is a stream of inert gas or a stream of compressed air and is blown onto the surface to be treated with a blowing pressure of 0.25 to 20 bar, 0.5 to 10 bar, 1 to 5 bar or 1.5 to 2 bar. It can be sprayed for as long as you like until the desired result is achieved. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for a time in the range between 0.1 s (seconds) and 6 h (hours), for a time in the range between 0.5 s and 60 min (minutes), for a time in the range sprayed between 1 s and 10 min or for a time in the range between 2 s and 1 min. Any spray angle and any distance between nozzle and surface can be used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spray angle between 10 ° and 90 ° is used. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spray angle between 15 ° and 80 °, between 20 ° and 50 ° or between 25 ° and 35 ° is used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method according to the invention also leads to material compaction ((partial) hardening) of the implant screw. This is technically advantageous because in many applications, for example in endo-prostheses, harder and more stable materials and surfaces are desirable. The (partial) curing can be achieved, for example, by the mechanical pressure load during the irradiation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a distance between nozzle and surface in the range of 0.1 mm and 50 cm, in the range of 0.5 mm and 10 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm and 5 mm is used.
In a blowing process (also known as a “spraying process”), an inert gas stream or a compressed air stream is used as the carrier medium, the carrier medium preferably being passed through a nozzle. Such a nozzle can have any geometry and size. The nozzle can be round, oval, rectangular or flat and slot-shaped. Depending on the field of application, it can preferably have a diameter of less than 0.1 mm, a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 10 cm, a diameter in the range from 0.2 mm to 5 cm, a diameter in the range from 0.5 mm to 2 cm, a diameter in the range from 0.6 mm to 1 cm or a diameter of over 10 cm. Optionally, the surface can be rotated in relation to the blasting material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation is carried out at a surface temperature in the range of room temperature (therefore about 18 to 30 ° C., preferably about 20 to 25 ° C.). According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation is carried out at a surface temperature in the range from 5 to 25 ° C. According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation is carried out at an elevated surface temperature of over 25 ° C. The surface to be irradiated can optionally be preheated. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation is carried out at an elevated surface temperature in the range from 25 to 200 ° C, 50 to 100 ° C or 60 to 75 ° C. According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation is carried out at a lowered surface temperature of below 18 ° C. Optionally, the surface to be irradiated can be cooled beforehand. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation is carried out at a lowered surface temperature in the range from -25 to 18 ° C, -20 to 10 ° C or -18 to 0 ° C.

Any air humidity can be used when irradiating the surface. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the humidity is in the range from 5 to 90% relative humidity, in the range from 5 to 75% relative humidity, in the range from 30 to 70% relative humidity or in the range from 50 to 65% relative humidity. Any air pressure can prevail when the surface is irradiated. Typically, this will be in the range from 400 to 1100 hPa, preferably in the range from 500 to 1060 hPa. The air pressure will particularly preferably correspond to the natural external pressure.

For the purposes of the invention, the surface can be any surface. Typically and preferably, the surface is a solid surface. Preferably a surface is one that is non-toxic. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a surface is one which is useful as an endo-prosthesis, including intra-osseous parts of dental implants.

As used herein, the term “endo-prosthesis” is to be understood in the broadest sense as an implant that remains permanently in the body. For the purposes of the present invention, an endoprosthesis is preferably an artificial implant, and therefore no donor organ or donor tissue. For example, an endo-prosthesis can be an endo-exo-prosthesis, hence an implant that is partially incorporated into the body and partially looks out. Accordingly, an endo-prosthesis can be, for example, a dental implant or a cochlear implant.

In the case of an endo-exo prosthesis, the surface to be treated in the context of the present invention is preferably the intra-osseous part of a dental implant. Accordingly, in the case of a dental implant, the surface to be treated in the context of the present invention is preferably the intra-osseous part of a dental implant. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is the surface of a vertebral body (vertebral implant) or of a bone implant. For example, an endo-prosthesis can also be an artificial joint (such as a hip joint, knee joint, shoulder joint, ankle joint, elbow joint, or finger joint) or a part thereof. For example, an endo-prosthesis can also be an artificial bone (such as, for example, vertebral body, femoral neck or part of the hip bone) or a part thereof. For example, an endoprosthesis can also be an artificial heart or venous valve or a stent. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an endo-prosthesis is a less elastic material. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an endo-prosthesis is a dental implant, an artificial joint or part thereof or an artificial bone or part thereof.

• (B1) einer Keramik-Oberfläche;
• (B2) einer Metall-Oberfläche; und
• (B3) einer Kunststoff-Oberfläche.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is selected from the group consisting of:

• (B1) a ceramic surface;
• (B2) a metal surface; and
• (B3) a plastic surface.

A ceramic surface can be any ceramic surface. This can optionally already be cured at the time of the irradiation or can only be cured in a subsequent step, thus for example be sintered in a further step. A ceramic surface is preferably one that is non-toxic. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a ceramic surface is one which can be used as an endo-prosthesis, including intra-osseous parts of dental implants. In a preferred embodiment, a ceramic surface consists of a ceramic mixed substance. In a preferred embodiment, a ceramic surface is a surface consisting of or comprising zirconium dioxide (ZiO ₂ ). In a particularly preferred embodiment, a ceramic surface is a surface consisting of or comprising unsintered (therefore not sintered) ZiO ₂ .

A metal surface can be any metal surface. A metal surface is preferably one that is non-toxic. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a metal surface is one that can be used as an endo-prosthesis, including intra-osseous parts of dental implants. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a metal surface is selected from the group consisting of titanium, a titanium alloy, a CoCrMo alloy, and a CoNiCrMo alloy. Alternatively, a metal surface can also be any other metal surface, for example a copper, steel, stainless steel, or aluminum surface.

A plastic surface can be any plastic surface. A plastic surface is preferably one that is free from incompatible or toxic substances.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plastic surface is one that can be used as an endo-prosthesis, including intra-osseous parts of dental implants. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plastic surface is selected from the group consisting of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surface, a polyethylene (PE) surface, a polylactide (PLA) Surface and a polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) surface.

• (B1) einer Keramik-Oberfläche, insbesondere ungesintertes ZiO₂;
• (B2) einer Metall-Oberfläche, insbesondere einer Oberfläche eines Metalls oder einer Metalllegierung ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Titan, einer Titanlegierung, einer CoCrMo-Legierung, und einer CoNiCrMo-Legierung; und
• (B3) einer Kunststoff-Oberfläche, insbesondere einer Polyetheretherketon-Oberfläche, einer Polyethylen-Oberfläche, einer Polylactid-Oberfläche und einer Polylactid-co-Glycolid-Oberläche.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is selected from the group consisting of:

• (B1) a ceramic surface, in particular unsintered ZiO ₂ ;
• (B2) a metal surface, in particular a surface of a metal or a metal alloy selected from the group consisting of titanium, a titanium alloy, a CoCrMo alloy, and a CoNiCrMo alloy; and
• (B3) a plastic surface, in particular a polyetheretherketone surface, a polyethylene surface, a polylactide surface and a polylactide-co-glycolide surface.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface can be a surface of a medical technology product. The medical technology product is advantageously made of ceramic, steel, platinum, gold, plastic or titanium or coated therewith and represents, for example, a medical, surgical or dental implant that can be inserted into one part of the body. The medical technology product can be a dental implant or an artificial joint, a stent, bone screws, dowels, for example for the spine or other body replacement parts

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is therefore a surface of a medical technology product, in particular an endo-prosthesis. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is therefore a surface of a medical technology product, in particular an intra-osseous surface of a dental implant.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface can be an intraosseous surface of a dental implant. The workpiece can, for example, be an element of a dental prosthesis system and consist of ceramic or titanium. In connection with the various implant procedures, the intra-osseous implant is a common term for an implant located inside the jawbone or a tooth implant protruding into the bone. In dentistry, endosseous, rotationally symmetrical implants are preferably used, which are inserted, screwed or plugged into the jawbone and are usually made of titanium (titanium implants) or ceramic materials (ceramic implants) such as "zirconium implants".

An intra-osseous implant is an implant that lies within the jawbone, because "intra-osseous implants" or dental implants are bone anchors, as are extension implants as endodontic implants, which can be cylinder implants with additional retention wings or leaf implants. An example of this is an implant for osseointegration in a jawbone, the surface of which has to be roughened in order to ensure that it grows in the jawbone. Such a roughening can be achieved with a method according to the invention. Advantageously, after the blasting treatment, the implant is merely placed in a water bath, as a result of which the blasting material residues detach themselves from the roughened surface. This can be accelerated and optimized in terms of time by moving the workpieces, for example the implants, or the water within the water bath.

In a preferred embodiment, the blasting material can be a crystalline blasting material. The water solubility can be implemented particularly advantageously by using a crystalline blasting material.

In a preferred embodiment, the blasting material can be a salt. Salt is particularly well soluble in water without the need for a particularly pronounced circulation of the water. For example, salt with crystals of different sizes can also be used, so that blasting material with particles of different sizes is created. The salt can be subsequently removed from the water bath using suitable processes and used again as blasting material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a blasting material used according to the invention is largely non-toxic, therefore it preferably has a mean lethal dose LD ₅₀ of> 10 mg / kg of body weight. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material is biodegradable in a neutral manner. It is therefore preferably not a xenobiotic in the environment. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material can be used ecologically. It can therefore be used preferentially by organisms for physiological metabolic processes.

• (A1) einem aus mindestens einem Salz bestehenden oder mindestens ein Salz umfassenden Strahlgut;
• (A2) einem aus mindestens einem kristallinen Zucker bestehenden oder mindestens einen kristallinen Zucker umfassenden Strahlgut; und
• (A3) einem aus mindestens einem kristallinen Süßstoff bestehenden oder mindestens einen kristallinen Süßstoff umfassenden Strahlgut.

The blasting material can have any chemical structure. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the species of the blasting material used according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of:

• (A1) a blasting material consisting of at least one salt or comprising at least one salt;
• (A2) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sugar or comprising at least one crystalline sugar; and
• (A3) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sweetener or comprising at least one crystalline sweetener.

• (A1) einem aus mindestens einem Salz bestehenden oder mindestens ein Salz umfassenden Strahlgut;
• (A2) einem aus mindestens einem kristallinen Zucker bestehenden oder mindestens einen kristallinen Zucker umfassenden Strahlgut; und
• (A3) einem aus mindestens einem kristallinen Süßstoff bestehenden oder mindestens einen kristallinen Süßstoff umfassenden Strahlgut.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the species of the blasting material used according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of:

• (A1) a blasting material consisting of at least one salt or comprising at least one salt;
• (A2) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sugar or comprising at least one crystalline sugar; and
• (A3) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sweetener or comprising at least one crystalline sweetener.

It will be understood that any combination of one or more salts, one or more twitches, and / or one or more sweeteners can also be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material comprises a salt or is a salt. According to the present invention, a salt can in principle be any salt.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a salt used according to the invention is largely non-toxic, therefore preferably has a mean lethal dose LD ₅₀ of> 10 mg / kg body weight. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a salt comprises an anion selected from the group consisting of chlorides (Cl ^- ), carbonates (CO ₃ ^2- ), hydrogen carbonates (HCO ₃ ^- ), nitrates (NO ₄ ^- ), sulfates (SO ₄ ^2- ) and acetates (Ac-, CH ₃ COO ^- ). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the salt consists of at least one of the groups of nitrates, chlorides or sulfates, or a mixture thereof. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a salt comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium (Na ⁺ ), potassium (K ⁺ ) and ammonium (NH ₄ ⁺ ). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a salt comprises an anion selected from the group consisting of chlorides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, nitrates, sulfates and acetates and a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and ammonium.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, NaHCO ₃ , Na ₂ CO ₃ , NaNO ₃ , Na ₂ SO ₄ , NaAc, KCl, KHCO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , KNO ₃ , K ₂ SO ₄ , KAc, NH ₄ Cl, NH ₄ HCO ₃ , (NH ₄ ) ₂ CO ₃ , NH ₄ NO ₃ , (NH ₄ ) ₂ SO ₄ and NH ₄ Ac. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the salt comprises at least or is sodium chloride and / or sodium carbonate and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one salt used according to the invention as blasting material is sodium chloride (NaCl). As an alternative or in addition, any other salts, in particular salts that are well tolerated by the body, such as Schüssler salts, can also be used. It will be understood that a salt useful in accordance with the present invention can also be part of a more complex composition. For example, a salt can be part of a tooth polish. For example, NaHCO ₃ can be contained in some swallowable tooth polishing powders such as Air-N-Go in addition to other soluble abrasives such as sodium saccharin, hydrophobized silica and auxiliaries (acetone North America, or ACTEAN, France).

These complex compositions can therefore also be used in the context of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blasting material comprises a sugar, in particular sucrose, or is a sugar. According to the present invention, a crystalline sugar can in principle be any crystalline sugar. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a crystalline sugar used according to the invention is largely non-toxic and therefore preferably has an average lethal dose LD ₅₀ of> 10 mg / kg of body weight. In particular, small-molecule sugars usually have a crystalline form. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sugar therefore has a molecular weight of not more than 1000 Da. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sugar is a crystalline mono- or disaccharide.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sugar is a sugar that occurs naturally in the body of a mammal, in particular a human. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, glucose, maltose, mannose, fructose, ribose, deoxyribose, Galactose, fucose, rhamnose, lactulose and trehalose. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, glucose, maltose, mannose and fructose. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sugar is sucrose.

According to the present invention, a sweetener can in principle be any sweetener. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sweetener used according to the invention is largely non-toxic, therefore preferably has an average lethal dose LD ₅₀ of> 10 mg / kg of body weight. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of acesulfame, advantageous, aspartame, aspartame / acesulfame, cyclamate, neohesperidin, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevioside, thamatin, alitame, brazzein, dulcine, hernandulcine, lugdunam, Monelline, pentadine, and 5-nitro-2-propoxyaniline.

It will be immediately understood that within the scope of the entire invention, the compounds mentioned in each case also include the salified form thereof. With regard to the sweeteners, this can be a sweetener anion or cation, for example saccharin salts (e.g. sodium saccharin).

• (A1) einem aus mindestens einem Salz bestehenden oder mindestens ein Salz umfassenden Strahlgut, insbesondere wobei das Salz ein Anion ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Chloriden, Carbonaten, Hydrogencarbonaten, Nitraten, Sulfaten und Acetaten umfasst und/oder wobei das Salz ein Kation ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Natrium, Kalium und Ammonium umfasst;
• (A2) einem aus mindestens einem kristallinen Zucker bestehenden oder mindestens einen kristallinen Zucker umfassenden Strahlgut, insbesondere wobei der Zucker ein kristallines Mono- oder Disaccharid ist; und
• (A3) einem aus mindestens einem kristallinen Süßstoff bestehenden oder mindestens einen kristallinen Süßstoff umfassenden Strahlgut, insbesondere wobei der Süßstoff ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Acesulfam, Advantam, Aspartam, Aspartam/Acesulfam, Cyclamat, Neohesperidin, Neotam, Saccharin, Sucralose, Steviosid, Thamatin, Alitam, Brazzein, Dulcin, Hernandulcin, Lugdunam, Monellin, Pentadin und 5-Nitro-2-propoxyanilin.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the species of the blasting material used according to the invention is selected from the group consisting of:

• (A1) a blasting material consisting of at least one salt or comprising at least one salt, in particular wherein the salt comprises an anion selected from the group consisting of chlorides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, nitrates, sulfates and acetates and / or wherein the salt comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, and ammonium;
• (A2) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sugar or comprising at least one crystalline sugar, in particular wherein the sugar is a crystalline mono- or disaccharide; and
• (A3) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sweetener or comprising at least one crystalline sweetener, in particular where the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of acesulfame, advanescent, aspartame, aspartame / acesulfame, cyclamate, neohesperidin, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevioside , Thamatin, alitam, brazzein, dulcin, hernandulcin, lugdunam, monellin, pentadine and 5-nitro-2-propoxyaniline.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one blasting material consists of sodium chloride crystals or crystals containing sodium chloride. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one blasting material consists of sodium chloride crystals. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one blasting material consists of sodium chloride crystals with a mass average crystal size of 10 to 2000 μm.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one blasting material consists of sucrose.

As stated above, according to the invention, several different types of blasting material can optionally also be combined with one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the salt can consist of at least one of the groups of nitrates, chlorides or sulfates, or is a mixture thereof.

Based on the preceding embodiment, the salt can advantageously be at least sodium chloride and / or sodium carbonate and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is also known as sodium bicarbonate or soda. The aforementioned salts are available inexpensively in large quantities and can be clarified in sewage treatment plants without endangering the environment, so that they do not represent any environmental pollution. Sodium bicarbonate in particular has an extremely good beam processing quality.

As an alternative or in addition to the salt-based abrasives mentioned, in a preferred embodiment the abrasives can comprise a sugar, in particular sucrose, or be a sugar. Sugar also has crystalline properties and is residue-free and biodegradable. Since sugar can be obtained from renewable raw materials, the ecological food print is extremely low, so that in particular an ecologically advantageous blasting material can be provided.

In a further preferred embodiment, the water-soluble blasting material can be mixed with dry ice particles or have dry ice particles. Particularly when processing medical-technical surfaces, a mixture of a water-soluble blasting material combined with an improved cleaning effect of dry ice particles is a good combination for producing highly pure and rough surfaces.

In a preferred embodiment, the blasting material can be biodegradable. A particularly environmentally friendly method can thereby be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the blasting material can be ecologically usable. This enables a particularly environmentally friendly process to be carried out.

In a preferred embodiment, no residues of the blasting material preferably remain on the surface. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, no residues of the blasting material remain on the surface. In particular when treating dental implants, no blasting material residues must remain within the roughened surface, since they are inserted and grown into the jawbone, whereby blasting material residues would represent contamination and foci of inflammation. By making the blasting material water-soluble and placing the workpiece in a water bath after the blasting material treatment, all blasting material residues can be removed in a simple and ecological process.

As explained above, residues of the blasting material can be removed by washing with an aqueous solvent. The step of washing with an aqueous solvent can be carried out in any desired manner.

For example, the surface can be rinsed with an aqueous solvent. Alternatively or in addition, the surface (hence the workpiece containing the workpiece in whole or in part) can be placed in a bath of the aqueous solvent. Alternatively or in addition, the surface can be wiped with an aqueous solvent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, after the surface has been placed in a water bath for a period of time t, (largely) no (measurable) residues of the blasting material remain on the surface. The person skilled in the art will determine the time and temperature accordingly. For example, the surface (hence the workpiece containing the workpiece in whole or in part) can be used for a period t of up to 5 min (minutes), from 5 to 20 min, from 15 min to 1 h (hour (s)), from 1 up to 6 h, from 6 to 12 h, from 12 to 24 h or more than 24 h in a bath of the aqueous solvent, so that (largely) no (measurable) residues of the blasting material remain on the surface. The aqueous solvent can optionally also be changed one or more times, it being possible to use the same or a different aqueous solvent in each case. This can be done at any temperature. This step is typically carried out in a temperature range from 1 to 100 ° C. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, washing is carried out in a temperature range from 2 to 60 ° C, 5 to 50 ° C, 10 to 30 ° C or 15 to 25 ° C.
In a preferred embodiment, after the surface has been placed in a water bath for a period of time t, no residues of the blasting material can remain on the surface. In particular, it is advantageous if the time period t has been determined beforehand, so that assembly line production can take place with regard to carrying out the blasting process and placing it in a water bath. The period t can be from 10 minutes or more to several hours or even days in order to ensure increased purity. Distilled, germ-free water can preferably be used and / or cleaning can be carried out under UV light with an antibacterial effect or electromagnetic radiation.

In a preferred embodiment, a roughened surface can arise. Accordingly, a targeted roughening of at least a partial area of the surface of the workpiece is preferably carried out by the method according to the invention.

Alternatively or additionally, the method according to the invention can be used to remove corrosion from a surface. The corrosion is often more brittle and / or less solid than an underlying solid from which it originates, such as a metal. In this way, the corrosion can be effectively removed while the solid remains largely intact and, depending on the application, is only roughened, is hardly roughened or is not roughened. Accordingly, a further aspect of the present invention relates to the removal of a corrosion layer by means of a method as described herein. The removal can lead to a visually demanding and / or technically advantageous surface. For example, metal surfaces can be gently renovated, ignition contacts improved, etc.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface (or a workpiece containing it, for example an endo-prosthesis or a part thereof) is suitable for medical use. The surface (or a workpiece containing it, for example an endo-prosthesis or a part thereof) is therefore preferably (largely) sterile-free and does not contain any toxic or immunogenic agents.

Optionally, as a further step, the surface can be wiped and / or brushed off and / or cleaned using a liquid shower, for example to remove residues of worn surface material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface (or a workpiece containing it, for example an endo-prosthesis or a part thereof) is (largely) sterile at the end of the method. Accordingly, the method preferably comprises a step of sterilizing. This can take place, for example, by means of heating, by means of UV light, by means of substances with an antimicrobial effect or by means of electromagnetic radiation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface (or a workpiece containing it, for example an endo-prosthesis or a part thereof) is packaged in a germ-free manner.

Optionally, after the method according to the invention has been carried out, the surface can also be coated by means of a method known in the prior art, such as, for example, with hydroxyapatite (HA), calcium phosphate and / or a titanium plasma coating.

The method according to the invention is basically suitable for treating hard surfaces, in particular also for roughening hard surfaces. The person skilled in the art will select an appropriate blasting material and an appropriate blowing pressure.

However, the method according to the invention is also suitable for treating soft surfaces. The person skilled in the art will select an appropriate blasting material and an appropriate blowing pressure. The method according to the invention is therefore also suitable for treating surfaces that have not yet hardened (therefore: uncured).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface to be treated is uncured during the irradiation and the method comprises a step of curing the surface after the irradiation. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface to be treated is uncured during the irradiation and the method comprises a step of curing the surface after washing the irradiated surface with an aqueous solvent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is hardened by means of sintering. As used herein, the term “sintering” is to be understood in the broadest sense as hardening at mostly elevated temperatures, especially of ceramic surfaces. Sintering can include heating to a temperature that corresponds to the firing of ceramic. Depending on the material, sintering can be carried out, for example, at temperatures in the range from 500 to 2500 ° C. It will be understood that, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, sintering may be preceded by debinding. As a rule, the surface is cooled down after sintering.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an optional debinding step takes place at a temperature in the range from 100 to 1000 ° C, 200 to 900 ° C, 400 to 800 ° C or 600 to 750 ° C. This temperature can be reached via a curve. Temperature increase rates of 20 to 100 ° C. per hour, about 30 to 75 ° C., for example (about) 50 ° C., can preferably be used here. The maximum temperature during debinding can be maintained for any period of time, about 15 minutes to 24 hours or more, 30 minutes to 12 hours or 1 to 6 hours, for example 2 hours. The person skilled in the art will adapt the times and temperatures to the respective material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an optional step of sintering takes place at a temperature in the range from 500 to 2500 ° C, 750 to 2000 ° C, 1000 to 1800 ° C or 1400 to 1500 ° C. This temperature can be reached via a curve. Temperature increase rates of 50 to 200 ° C. per hour, about 75 to 150 ° C., for example (about) 100 ° C., can preferably be used here. The maximum temperature during debinding can be maintained for any period of time, about 15 minutes to 24 hours or more, 30 minutes to 12 hours or 1 to 6 hours, for example 2 hours. The person skilled in the art will adapt the times and temperatures to the respective material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an optional step of cooling takes place at temperature reduction rates of 50 to 500 ° C per hour, about 100 to 300 ° C, for example (about) 200 ° C. The person skilled in the art will adapt the rate of temperature reduction to the respective material.

As described herein, a surface obtained, in particular a roughened surface, can be particularly advantageous for medical applications, in particular endoprostheses.

Accordingly, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the treated surface is roughened in such a way that it enables cells to grow (in vivo and / or in vitro). Accordingly, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the treated surface is roughened so that it is suitable for after the implantation of a workpiece having the surface into a body, to enable ingrowth or adhesion of body cells (eg osteocytes).

The invention also relates to the use of the method for surfaces of dental implants in order to achieve a roughening of the surface. As a result, it can advantageously be achieved that a growth of the tooth implant within a jawbone can be ensured.

The present invention therefore also relates to an (in vitro) method for producing an endo-prosthesis with improved growthability in the body, at least one surface of the endo-prosthesis being treated by means of a method according to the present invention. The present invention thus also relates to an (in vitro) method for producing an endo-prosthesis with improved growth ability in the body, at least one surface of the endo-prosthesis being treated by means of a blasting material, with at least a water-soluble blasting material being used as the blasting material. It will be understood that the definitions and preferred embodiments made in connection with the method described above apply equally to this method.

The invention also relates to the use of a method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments for processing intra-osseous surfaces of dental implants in order to achieve a roughening of the surface.

Optionally, the method according to the invention can also be combined with one or more other methods for processing surfaces, such as one or more methods selected from the group consisting of any irradiation, etching (e.g. acid etching) and laser irradiation. However, such methods are preferably dispensed with.

As explained above, the surfaces obtained have special technical characteristics. Therefore, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a surface which can be obtained (or obtained) by a method according to the invention, wherein the surface has no water-insoluble residues of blasting material, in particular no residues of blasting material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roughened surface obtainable (or obtained) according to the invention is (particularly well) suitable for the growth of cells. The present invention therefore also relates to a method for producing (roughened) surfaces which are suitable for the growth of cells. The growth of cells can take place in vivo (e.g. in the body of an implant recipient) or in vitro (e.g. in a cell culture. Therefore, the surface can also be that of a cell culture vessel (e.g. a cell culture dish, a multiwell plate, a microscope slide or a matrix It will be understood that this relates in particular to cell culture vessels for culturing adherent cells.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roughened surface obtainable (or obtained) according to the invention is optically matt.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roughened surface obtainable (or obtained) according to the invention is (particularly well) suitable for applying new layers of paint and lacquer to it. The present invention therefore also relates to a method for producing (roughened) surfaces which are suitable for applying new layers of paint and lacquer.

The method according to the invention can accordingly include the application of new layers of paint and varnish as a further optional method step. This step preferably follows the process steps (i) and (ii) described above and optionally (iii) and optionally further steps.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the roughened surface obtainable (or obtained) according to the invention is (particularly well) suitable for gluing. The present invention therefore also relates to a method for producing (roughened) surfaces, in particular metal, plastic and glass surfaces, which are suitable for gluing. The method according to the invention can accordingly include gluing to another surface as a further optional method step. This step preferably follows the process steps (i) and (ii) described above and optionally (iii) and optionally further steps.

It will be understood that the definitions and preferred embodiments made in connection with the method according to the invention apply in the same way to the surfaces obtained.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface is that of an endoprosthesis. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface here is an intraosseous surface of a dental implant.

Since its surface has special technical features, the workpiece is also covered by the present invention. A further aspect of the present invention therefore relates to a workpiece with at least one surface that can be obtained (or obtained) by a method according to the invention, the surface not having any water-insoluble residues of blasting material, in particular no residues of blasting material.

It will be understood that the definitions and preferred embodiments made in connection with the method according to the invention apply equally to the workpieces obtained.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the workpiece is an endo-prosthesis. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the workpiece is an endosseous part of a dental implant.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the workpiece is a cell culture vessel in which at least one surface or a part thereof is roughened according to the method according to the invention. A cell culture vessel can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of a cell culture dish, a multiwell plate, a slide and a matrix for tissue culture. It will be understood that this relates in particular to cell culture vessels for culturing adherent cells.

The method according to the invention is also suitable for removing a paint and / or lacquer layer from a surface. Another aspect of the present invention therefore also relates to a method for removing a paint and / or lacquer layer from a surface by means of a blasting material, at least one water-soluble blasting material being used as the blasting material. This method can also be used if the surface is hardly or not at all roughened. According to a preferred embodiment, the blasting material in this case has a lower hardness than the surface. A comparatively gentle removal of the paint and / or lacquer layer from a surface can then be achieved without the surface being significantly changed. It will be understood that the definitions and preferred embodiments made in connection with the method described above apply equally to this method.

• 1. Verfahren zur (abrasiven) Behandlung von Oberflächen 10 mittels eines Strahlguts, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass als Strahlgut zumindest ein wasserlösliches Strahlgut, bevorzugt ein wasserlösliches und temperaturlösliches kristallbasiertes Strahlgut eingesetzt wird.
• 2. Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Oberfläche 10 eine Oberfläche eines Medizintechnikproduktes ist.
• 3. Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Oberfläche 10 eine enossale Oberfläche 2 eines Zahnimplantates 3 ist.
• 4. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Strahlgut ein kristallines Strahlgut ist.
• 5. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Strahlgut ein Salz umfasst oder ein Salz ist.
• 6. Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Salz aus zumindest einem der Gruppen der Nitrate, der Chloride oder der Sulfate besteht, oder eine Mischung hieraus ist.
• 7. Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Salz zumindest Natriumchlorid und/oder Natriumcarbonat und/oder Natriumhydrogencarbonat ist.
• 8. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Strahlgut ein Zucker, insbesondere Saccharose umfasst, oder ein Zucker ist.
• 9. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Strahlgut eine Mischung eines wasserlöslichen Strahlguts und Trockeneispartikeln umfasst, oder aus diesem besteht.
• 10 Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Strahlgut biologisch neutral abbaubar ist.
• 11. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Strahlgut ökologisch verwertbar ist.
• 12. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass keine Rückstände des Strahlguts an der Oberfläche 10 verbleiben.
• 13. Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass nach Einlegen der Oberfläche 10 für einen Zeitraum t in ein Wasserbad keine Rückstände des Strahlguts an der Oberfläche 10 verbleiben.
• 14. Verfahren nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine aufgeraute Oberfläche 2 entsteht.
• 15. Anwendung eines Verfahrens nach einer der vorgenannten Ausführungsformen zur Bearbeitung von enossalen Oberflächen 2 von Zahnimplantaten 3, um ein Aufrauen der Oberfläche 2 zu erzielen.

The present invention also relates to the following preferred embodiments:

• 1. Process for the (abrasive) treatment of surfaces 10 by means of a blasting material, characterized in that at least one water-soluble blasting material, preferably a water-soluble and temperature-soluble crystal-based blasting material, is used as the blasting material.
• 2. The method according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the surface 10 is a surface of a medical technology product.
• 3. The method according to embodiment 2, characterized in that the surface 10 an enossal surface 2 a dental implant 3 is.
• 4. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that the blasting material is a crystalline blasting material.
• 5. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that the blasting material comprises a salt or is a salt.
• 6. The method according to embodiment 5, characterized in that the salt consists of at least one of the groups of nitrates, chlorides or sulfates, or is a mixture thereof.
• 7. The method according to embodiment 5, characterized in that the salt is at least sodium chloride and / or sodium carbonate and / or sodium hydrogen carbonate.
• 8. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 4, characterized in that the blasting material comprises a sugar, in particular sucrose, or is a sugar.
• 9. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that the blasting material comprises a mixture of a water-soluble blasting material and dry ice particles, or consists of this.
• Method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that the blasting material is biodegradable in a neutral manner.
• 11. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that the blasting material can be used ecologically.
• 12. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that no residues of the blasting material on the surface 10 remain.
• 13. The method according to embodiment 12, characterized in that after inserting the surface 10 no residue of the blasting material on the surface in a water bath for a period of time 10 remain.
• 14. The method according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, characterized in that a roughened surface 2 arises.
• 15. Use of a method according to one of the aforementioned embodiments for processing intra-osseous surfaces 2 of dental implants 3 to roughen the surface 2 to achieve.

A water-soluble blasting material is used for the passive treatment of surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, salt is used as the blasting material. Such blasting material, which jams after the application of the method, for example on the surface or also within the thread, can be removed by inserting the dental implant 3 can be easily dissolved in a water bath. As a result, no blasting residue remains on the surface 2 of the dental implant 3 back.
In 2 are multiple dental implants 3 shown that are adjacent to one another within a jawbone 7th are arranged. The respective surface 2 any dental implant 3 that are inside the jawbone 7th is arranged prior to inserting the dental implant 3 treated with a method according to the invention, a water-soluble blasting material being used. The entire surface can also 2 of the dental implant 3 to be treated with the procedure. In the representation in 2 are the dental implants 3 without a tooth crown or the like attached to it. shown.

Of course, other types of dental implants and other medical technology products, such as artificial joints, stents, or other implants, which are preferably implanted within a body area, can also be treated with the method according to the invention in order to produce a roughened surface that prevents the implant from growing inside of the body.

The following drawings, experimental examples, and claims illustrate further preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Figure list

• 1a,b zeigt eine Gegenüberstellung eines natürlichen Zahns sowie eines Zahnimplantate in einem Kieferknochen;
• 2 zeigt eine Mehrzahl an Zahnimplantaten eingesetzt in einem Kieferknochen.

Further advantages emerge from the present drawings and description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

• 1a, b shows a comparison of a natural tooth and a dental implant in a jawbone;
• 2 shows a plurality of dental implants inserted into a jawbone.

In the 1 and 2 Identical or similar components are numbered with the same reference symbols.

1a shows a comparison of a natural tooth 4th with a dental implant 3 . The dashed line shows the separation of the representation, with a tooth on the left side with respect to the dashed line 4th with a tooth root 5 in a jawbone 7th is shown. On the right side with respect to the dashed lines is a dental implant 3 inserted in a jawbone 7th below the gums 6th shown. The area of the dental implants 3 the one within the jawbone 7th is arranged, has a surface 2 on that one surface 10 represents which can be treated by an inventive method for abrasive blasting treatment. The surface 2 , on which the method according to the invention is preferably used, can also have an introduced thread or be designed with a smooth surface (not shown).

In 1b is just the dental implant 3 shown. It is conceivable, the complete surface 2 of the dental implant 3 treated with radiation treatment, or just the area that is built into a jawbone 7th inside that jawbone 7th is arranged.

3 shows an unsintered implant screw (green body, also: green body) of a dental implant before irradiation (20x magnification). As can be seen, the surface is undesirably smooth and shiny. The white scale bar corresponds to 1.00 mm millimeter).

4th shows a corresponding unsintered implant screw (green compact) of a dental implant as in 3 shown after irradiation with tooth polishing powder (“AIR-N-GO Classic”) and with an unwashed surface (20x magnification). As can be seen, the surface is clearly rough and matt, as desired. The white scale bar corresponds to 1.00 mm.
5 shows a corresponding unsintered implant screw (green compact) of a dental implant as in 3 and 4th shown after irradiation with tooth polishing powder (“AIR-N-GO Classic”) and subsequent washing in a water bath (20x magnification). As can be seen, the surface is clearly rough and matt as desired. The white scale bar corresponds to 1.00 mm.

6th shows a greatly enlarged part of a thread of an unsintered implant screw (green compact) of a dental implant as in FIG 4th shown after irradiation with tooth polishing powder ("AIR-N-GO Classic") and with an unwashed surface (100x magnification). As can be seen, the surface has, as desired, distinct unevenness in the middle micrometer range. The white scale bar corresponds to 100 µm.

7th shows a greatly enlarged part of a thread of an unsintered implant screw (green compact) of a dental implant as in FIG 5 shown after irradiation with tooth polishing powder (“AIR-N-GO Classic”) and subsequent washing in a water bath (100x magnification). As can be seen, the surface has, as desired, distinct unevenness in the middle micrometer range. The white scale bar corresponds to 100 µm.

8th shows coarse-grained sodium chloride crystals (NaCl crystals), as can be used according to the invention. The white scale bar corresponds to 1.00 mm.

9 shows fine-grain NaCl crystals as can be used according to the invention. The white scale bar corresponds to 100 µm.

10 and 11 show the determination of the particle size of NaCl crystals by means of automated microscopy. As in 10 shown, the measuring microscope separates the observed object group into individual objects with the help of the object recognition program used. The white scale bar corresponds to 100 µm. Then, as in 11 are shown, their area, area perimeter and their largest and smallest horizontal diameter determined. The data is automatically recorded and documented by the computer program.

12 shows a copper surface that was left partially untreated (left side) and partially subjected to the irradiation process according to the invention, in this case spraying with NaCl crystals, according to the present invention (right side). This effectively removed corrosion from the copper surface. The white scale bar corresponds to 1.00 mm.

13th shows an apparatus for irradiation with the designation TR17DK from Sigg Strahltechnik GmbH (79787 Lauchringen, Germany) that can be used as an example according to the invention, as it was used for the irradiations used here with the blasting material NaCl.

14th shows an inventive apparatus for irradiation (blasting system) with the designation Mikrotip I from W + I Surface Systems GmbH (40721 Hilden, Germany) as it was used for the irradiations used here with the blasting material “AIR-N-GO Classic” .

List of reference symbols

2

Surface of a dental implant

3

Dental implant

4th

tooth

5

Tooth root

6th

Gums

7th

Jawbone

10

surface

Experimental examples

used material

• - Oberfläche einer ungesinterten Implantatschraube (Grünling) aus Zirkoniumdioxid (ZrO₂)
• - Oberfläche einer Implantatschraube aus Titan
• - Oberfläche eines Wirbelimplantats aus Polyetheretherketon (PEEK)
• - Oberfläche eines Kupferblocks, teils mit anoxidierter Oberfläche
• - Oberfläche eines Aluminiumblechs
• - Stahlflächen

Irradiated surfaces

• - Surface of an unsintered implant screw (green body) made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO ₂ )
• - Surface of a titanium implant screw
• - Surface of a vertebral implant made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
• - Surface of a copper block, partly with partially oxidized surface
• - surface of an aluminum sheet
• - steel surfaces

• - Grobkörniges Natriumchlorid (NaCI) mit (massen)mittlerer Partikelgröße d₅₀ bezogen auf die Gesamtmasse der Gesamtmasse von etwa 0,1 bis 1 mm (mikroskopisch ermittelt) (vgl. mikroskopisches Bild in 8)
• - Feinkörniges Natriumchlorid (NaCI) mit (massen)mittlerer Partikelgröße d₅₀ bezogen auf die Gesamtmasse der Gesamtmasse von <0,1 (Mittels Malen erzeugt, mikroskopisch verifiziert) (vgl. mikroskopisches Bild in 9)
• - Saccharosekristalle unterschiedlicher Korngröße
• - komplexe Zusammensetzungen enthaltende Salze, kristalline Süßstoffe oder ähnliches, wie etwa Zahn-Polierpulver „AIR-N-GO Classic“ (ACTEAN, Frankreich), umfassend Natriumkarbonat mit einer (massen)mittleren Korngröße von etwa 80 bis 110 µm, Natriumsaccharin, hydrophobierte Kieselsäure und Hilfsstoffe.

Blasting material:

• - Coarse-grained sodium chloride (NaCl) with a (mass) mean particle size d ₅₀ based on the total mass of the total mass of about 0.1 to 1 mm (determined microscopically) (see microscopic picture in 8th )
• - Fine-grained sodium chloride (NaCl) with (mass) mean particle size d ₅₀ based on the total mass of the total mass of <0.1 (generated by painting, verified microscopically) (see microscopic picture in 9 )
• - Sucrose crystals of different grain sizes
• - Salts, crystalline sweeteners or the like containing complex compositions, such as "AIR-N-GO Classic" tooth polishing powder (ACTEAN, France), comprising sodium carbonate with a (mass) average particle size of about 80 to 110 µm, sodium saccharin, hydrophobized silica and auxiliary materials.

For irradiation with NaCl, an irradiation apparatus (blasting system 1 ): TR17DK from Sigg Strahltechnik GmbH (79787 Lauchringen, Germany) (cf. 11 ), equipped with a round hard metal irradiation nozzle with an inner diameter of 10 mm and a rotatable specimen holder.

For irradiation with "AIR-N-GO Classic" an apparatus for irradiation (blasting system 2 ): mikrotip I from W + I Surface Systems GmbH (40721 Hilden, Germany) (cf. 11b) , equipped with a round hard metal irradiation nozzle with an inner diameter of 0.8 mm and a rotatable specimen holder.

Characterization of the blasting material - particle measurement and size determination

The particle measurement and size determination was carried out on the previously calibrated measuring microscope "KEYENCE VHX 6000". With the help of the object recognition program used, the measuring microscope separated the observed group of objects into individual objects and measured their area, area circumference and their largest and smallest horizontal diameter. The data was recorded and documented by the program. This is exemplified in the 10 and 11 shown.

Experiments

The irradiations (= spraying) were carried out at a room temperature of about 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 60%. The surfaces to be irradiated were preheated to 67 ° C. An unsintered implant screw (green part) made of ZrO ₂ was attached to a rotatable carrier and at a spray pressure of 1.6 bar and a spray angle of 30 ° six times from different sides (rotation around the longitudinal axis) for 6 seconds each from a distance of about 6 cm irradiated / sprayed.

The other surfaces were irradiated accordingly. The titanium implant screw was irradiated like the unsintered implant screw (green part) made of ZrO ₂ . The PEEK vertebral implant was also irradiated from different sides. The copper block, the aluminum sheet and the steel surface were only irradiated on one side and not rotated.

After the irradiation, the irradiated surfaces were examined optically, sometimes also microscopically. The surfaces were placed in a water bath (tap water of medium hardness from 8.4 to 14 ° dH) at 25 ° C. for about 10 minutes. They were then dried and again examined optically, sometimes also microscopically. Alternatively, distilled water was used as a comparison.

Results

It was found that hard materials (such as titanium and in particular steel) showed hardly any changes in their surface, while the surfaces of relatively soft materials (therefore unsintered ZrO ₂ , copper, aluminum and PEEK) were effectively roughened with the irradiation process used.

Unsintered implant screws (green compacts) made of ZrO ₂

The irradiation of unsintered implant screws (green bodies) made of ZrO ₂ was investigated in detail. While the unirradiated green compacts have a smooth and shiny surface (cf. 3 ), the surface was clearly roughened after irradiation (cf. 4th and 6th ). Surfaces were obtained with a surface roughness of about 1 to 3 μm. Therefore numerous notches in the lower and middle micrometer range could be seen microscopically (cf. 6th ). After 10 minutes of washing in a water bath, the uniformity of the roughness of the surface was even more clearly visible (cf. 5 and 7th ). According to the result of a microscopic visual inspection, the spray was completely dissolved in the water bath used. Clinical experience has shown that the roughness detected by a microscopic visual inspection suggests that the implant will grow in quickly and firmly. It was also observed that the irradiation according to the invention also led to a technically advantageous material compression (hardening) of the implant screw due to the mechanical pressure load caused by the jet pressure. The results achieved with the tooth polishing powder “AIR-N-GO Classic” as well as the results obtained with NaCl as a spray are technically so advantageous that from the point of view of the expert they can be expected to have advantageous clinical results.

Removal of corrosion on a copper surface

A copper block irradiated as described above, which had a thin, dark corrosion layer of copper oxide, showed effective removal of corrosion on the metal surface. It was possible to obtain a corrosion-free surface, optically attractive and technically well usable copper surface, as in 12 will be shown.

Optional sintering

• Sinterkurve (auch: „Sinterrampe“) zur Entbinderung und Sinterung von Zirkoniumdioxid :
  • i.) Entbindern
    1. (a) Solltemperatur: 700°C
    2. (b) 50°C pro Stunde Aufheizung
    3. (c) 2 Stunden Haltezeit bei 700°C
  • ii.) Sintern
    1. (a) Solltemperatur 1450°C
    2. (b) 100°C pro Stunde Aufheizung
    3. (c) 2 Stunden Haltezeit bei 1450°C.
  • iii.) Abkühlen
    1. (a) Solltemperatur 20°C Raumtemperatur
    2. (b) 1450°C mit Senkung um 200°C pro Stunde bis die Raumtemperatur von 20°C erreicht ist.

During sintering (compression and hardening of the implant screw through thermal treatment) the common process parameters were used. The following process parameters were used during sintering:

• Sinter curve (also: "Sinter ramp") for debinding and sintering of zirconium dioxide:
  • i.) Debinding
    1. (a) Target temperature: 700 ° C
    2. (b) 50 ° C per hour heating
    3. (c) 2 hours hold at 700 ° C
  • ii.) sintering
    1. (a) Target temperature 1450 ° C
    2. (b) 100 ° C per hour heating
    3. (c) 2 hours hold at 1450 ° C.
  • iii.) cooling down
    1. (a) Target temperature 20 ° C room temperature
    2. (b) 1450 ° C with a decrease of 200 ° C per hour until the room temperature of 20 ° C is reached.

The expected dimensional change in the implant screw occurred. It could thus be shown that the irradiation (spraying) according to the invention has no noticeable influence on the subsequent optional sintering step.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 69314709 T2 [0015]
• WO 2009/101025 A1 [0016]
• WO 2018/046148 A1 [0018]
• DE 102016011808 A1 [0024]
• DE 102016011808 [0024]

Claims (15)

Method for treating a surface by means of a blasting material in order to obtain a roughened surface, at least one water-soluble blasting material being used as the blasting material. Procedure according to Claim 1 , the method comprising the following steps: (i) providing: (A) at least one water-soluble blasting material, (B) a carrier medium, in particular a carrier gas flow, and (C) the surface to be treated; (ii) irradiating the surface with the at least one blasting material impacting against the surface by means of the carrier medium; and (iii) optionally washing the irradiated surface obtained from step (ii) with an aqueous solvent. Method according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 The entire blasting material used in the process consists exclusively of one or more species of particles that have a water solubility of at least 10 g / l water at 20 ° C and 1013 hPa or whose vapor pressure at 20 ° C is above 1013 hPa. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , the blasting material having an average particle size d ₅₀ , based on the total mass of particles of the corresponding blasting material species, in the range from 1 to 2000 μm. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , wherein at least one blasting material is a crystalline blasting material. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the blasting material has a greater hardness than the surface or wherein the blasting material has a lower or equal hardness than the surface and the treatment of the surface is achieved by the kinetic energy of the blasting material. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , the at least one blasting material being selected from the group consisting of: (A1) a blasting material consisting of at least one salt or comprising at least one salt, in particular where the salt is an anion selected from the group consisting of chlorides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, nitrates, Comprises sulfates and acetates and / or wherein the salt comprises a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and ammonium; (A2) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sugar or comprising at least one crystalline sugar, in particular wherein the sugar is a crystalline mono- or disaccharide; and (A3) a blasting material consisting of at least one crystalline sweetener or comprising at least one crystalline sweetener, in particular wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of acesulfame, advanetame, aspartame, aspartame / acesulfame, cyclamate, neohesperidin, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, Stevioside, Thamatin, Alitam, Brazzein, Dulcin, Hernandulcin, Lugdunam, Monellin, Pentadine and 5-Nitro-2-propoxyaniline. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , wherein the at least one blasting material consists of sodium chloride crystals with a mass average crystal size of 10 to 2000 μm. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , wherein the carrier medium is a carrier gas flow and the blasting material distributed in the carrier gas flow is blown onto the surface. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 , the carrier medium being a stream of inert gas or a stream of compressed air and being blown onto the surface to be treated with a blowing pressure of 0.1 to 100 bar. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 wherein the surface is selected from the group consisting of: (B1) a ceramic surface, in particular unsintered zirconium dioxide; (B2) a metal surface, in particular a surface of a metal or a metal alloy selected from the group consisting of titanium, a titanium alloy, a CoCrMo alloy, and a CoNiCrMo alloy; and (B3) a plastic surface, in particular a polyetheretherketone surface, a polyethylene surface, a polylactide surface and a polylactide-co-glycolide surface. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , the surface being a surface of a medical technology product, preferably being a surface of an endo-prosthesis, in particular being a surface of an intra-osseous surface of a dental implant or a surface of a vertebral body or bone implant. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 , wherein the surface to be treated is uncured during the irradiation and the method after the irradiation, and preferably after washing the irradiated surface with an aqueous solvent, comprises a step of hardening the surface, in particular by means of sintering. Method according to one of the Claims 1 to 13th , wherein the treated surface is roughened in such a way that it allows cells to grow, the surface preferably being the surface of an endo-prosthesis or a cell culture vessel. Workpiece with at least one surface that is obtainable by a method according to one of Claims 1 to 14th wherein the surface has no water-insoluble residues of blasting material, in particular no residues of blasting material, in particular wherein the workpiece is an endo-prosthesis, in particular an enossal part of a dental implant, or a cell culture vessel.

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