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EP1171401A1 - Medical instruments - Google Patents

Medical instruments

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Publication number
EP1171401A1
EP1171401A1 EP00920688A EP00920688A EP1171401A1 EP 1171401 A1 EP1171401 A1 EP 1171401A1 EP 00920688 A EP00920688 A EP 00920688A EP 00920688 A EP00920688 A EP 00920688A EP 1171401 A1 EP1171401 A1 EP 1171401A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bio
inert material
compatible
medical
tool
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP00920688A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Ralf-Peter Franke
Michael Fripan
Wolfgang Burger
Herbert Richter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ceramtec GmbH
Original Assignee
Ceramtec GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ceramtec GmbH filed Critical Ceramtec GmbH
Publication of EP1171401A1 publication Critical patent/EP1171401A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
    • A61B17/32—Surgical cutting instruments
    • A61B17/3209—Incision instruments
    • A61B17/3211—Surgical scalpels, knives; Accessories therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
    • A61B17/16—Instruments for performing osteoclasis; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans
    • A61B17/1613—Component parts
    • A61B17/1615—Drill bits, i.e. rotating tools extending from a handpiece to contact the worked material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
    • A61B17/14—Surgical saws
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods
    • A61B2017/00831—Material properties
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2310/00—Prostheses classified in A61F2/28 or A61F2/30 - A61F2/44 being constructed from or coated with a particular material
    • A61F2310/00389—The prosthesis being coated or covered with a particular material
    • A61F2310/00592—Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of ceramics or of ceramic-like compounds
    • A61F2310/00598—Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of compounds based on metal oxides or hydroxides
    • A61F2310/00604—Coating made of aluminium oxide or hydroxides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2310/00—Prostheses classified in A61F2/28 or A61F2/30 - A61F2/44 being constructed from or coated with a particular material
    • A61F2310/00389—The prosthesis being coated or covered with a particular material
    • A61F2310/00592—Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of ceramics or of ceramic-like compounds
    • A61F2310/00598—Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of compounds based on metal oxides or hydroxides
    • A61F2310/00634—Coating made of zirconium oxide or hydroxides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2310/00—Prostheses classified in A61F2/28 or A61F2/30 - A61F2/44 being constructed from or coated with a particular material
    • A61F2310/00389—The prosthesis being coated or covered with a particular material
    • A61F2310/00592—Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of ceramics or of ceramic-like compounds
    • A61F2310/00856—Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of compounds based on metal nitrides
    • A61F2310/00874—Coating made of silicon nitride

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to medical instruments, processes for their production and their use.
  • iron for example on fibroblasts.
  • About 30% of the so-called alternate operations are mainly required due to particles in the periprosthetic tissue, which are responsible for the loosening of the implants / prostheses ("particle disease").
  • Iron on the one hand, an essential element for the organism, on the other hand, exercises in the vicinity of implants / Prostheses obviously have massive adverse effects, for example on the ingrowth behavior of osteosynthesis plates, implants, prostheses, screws, etc.
  • the present invention has therefore set itself the goal of safely avoiding iron abrasion during operations.
  • An object of the present invention was therefore to provide tools and instruments which do not cause iron abrasion in surgery, when used in operations, for example when working on bones, when inserting implants, in order to thereby prevent osteolytically active iron in the tissue.
  • the object on which the present invention is based was achieved according to the invention by the use of biocompatible bio-inert materials for the production of medical / surgical instruments or by the use of the medical / surgical instruments made from biocompatible bio-inert materials during operations.
  • medical / surgical instruments made of bio-compatible bio-inert materials are provided.
  • biocompatible bio-inert materials preferably include ceramics.
  • examples include high-strength technical ceramics, such as those based on aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide or silicon nitride. So-called Y-TZP ceramics or ZPTA ceramics are particularly preferred.
  • ZPTA ceramics consist of a matrix material, which consists of an aluminum oxide / chromium oxide mixed crystal and is platelet-reinforced “in situ”. Such ceramics are described, for example, in EPA O 542 815.
  • Such ceramics have long been known in medical technology. They include the ceramics from which implants are made, for example, and which are sold by the applicant under the names Biolox ® and Ziolox ® .
  • These high-strength technical ceramics can be used, for example, to produce scalpels, scissors, saws, drills, taps, centering tools, drill bushes, templates and similar instruments.
  • the ceramics required for these instruments are produced in a manner known per se to the person skilled in the art. It should be noted, however, that the ceramics required for these instruments for use in medicine or surgery according to the invention should be sharp-edged and have no phase, as when using ceramics as a tool for machining metal.
  • a drill according to the invention is obtained, for example, by first producing a cylinder, for example from a ceramic according to EPA 0 542 815, into which the contour required for use as a cutting instrument is then ground.
  • Figure 1 shows drills made in this way.
  • a ceramic close to the final shape by injection molding or by the so-called DCC process, which is then reworked accordingly.
  • the green body is made directly from the suspension.
  • the ceramic mixture with a solids content of more than 50% by volume is ground in an aqueous suspension.
  • the pH of the mixture should be adjusted to 4 - 4.5.
  • urea and a quantity of the enzyme urease which is suitable for breaking down the urea, are added before this suspension is poured into a mold. Due to the enzyme-catalyzed urea decomposition, the pH of the suspension shifts to 9, the suspension coagulating.
  • the green body produced in this way is dried and sintered after removal from the mold.
  • the sintering process can be carried out without pressure, but pre-sintering, followed by subsequent hot isostatic post-compression, is also possible. Further details on this method (DCC method) are disclosed in WO 94/02429 and in WO 94/24064, to which express reference is made.
  • a scalpel according to the invention or a pair of scissors according to the invention can in principle also be obtained according to DE 43 13 305, the Cutting blades of the scissors according to the invention can have both different and the same hardness.
  • the appearance, the shape, the geometry, the size of the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention can correspond to the medical / surgical instruments previously used.
  • biocompatible bio-inert materials for the production of medical / surgical instruments or the use of the instruments / tools consisting of biocompatible bio-inert materials during operations makes it possible for the first time to reliably avoid the introduction of iron-containing particles into the tissue.
  • the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention can thus be used, for example, to avoid operation-related osteolytic iron-containing abrasion particles when processing bones.
  • the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention have extremely high wear resistance and correspondingly high mechanical properties. It is also advantageous that the cutting characteristic of the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention is significantly better than the cutting characteristic of conventional instruments of the same geometry.
  • Figure 2 shows the comparison between a conventional drill made of metal and a drill according to the invention made of bio-compatible bio-inert ceramic when used in the bone. One reason for this is the surface of the ceramics used according to the invention. While it is known to be with conventional medical / surgical instruments
  • Table 1 and Figure 3 show the comparison of two drills according to the invention with a conventional drill of the same geometry made of metal when used in the bone.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of biocompatible and bioinert materials for producing medical/surgical instruments. The invention also relates to medical/surgical instruments made of biocompatible and bioinert materials. The invention further relates to tools made of biocompatible and bioinert materials for the use as medical/surgical instruments. The invention also relates to the use of tools made of biocompatible and bioinert materials in surgery.

Description

Medizinische Instrumente Medical instruments
Gegenstand der vorliegenden Erfindung sind medizinische Instrumente, Verfahren zu deren Herstellung sowie deren Verwendung.The present invention relates to medical instruments, processes for their production and their use.
Jüngste Untersuchungen an Patienten mit Implantaten/Prothesen haben ergeben, daß sich im periprosthetischen Gewebe Spuren von Eisen nachweisen ließen. Dieser Befund ist insofern überrraschend, als sich Eisen auch dann nachweisen ließ, wenn Implantate/Prothesen aus absolut eisenfreien Materialien eingesetzt worden waren und die Explantation der Implantate/Prothesen und die Analyse des periprosthetischen Gewebes mit eisenfreien Untersuchungsinstrumenten durchgeführt worden war. Selbst bei Explantaten aus absolut eisenfreien Materialien, beispielsweise auch bei Titan-Prothesen, ließ sich bei solchen Untersuchungen im periprosthetischen Gewebe Eisen bis zu 1 mg/g Gewebe nachweisen.Recent studies on patients with implants / prostheses have shown that traces of iron could be detected in the periprosthetic tissue. This finding is surprising in that iron could also be detected when implants / prostheses made of absolutely iron-free materials were used and the explants of the implants / prostheses and the analysis of the periprosthetic tissue had been carried out using iron-free examination instruments. Even with explants made of absolutely iron-free materials, for example also with titanium prostheses, iron of up to 1 mg / g tissue could be detected in such examinations in the periprosthetic tissue.
Die Induktionswirkung von Eisen beispielsweise auf Fibroblasten ist bekannt. Etwa 30 % der sogenannten Wechseloperationen werden überwiegend erforderlich durch Partikel im periprosthetischen Gewebe, die für die Lockerung der Implantate/Prothesen verantwortlich sind („particle-disease"). Eisen, einerseits essentiell notwendiges Element für den Organismus, übt andererseits in der Umgebung von Implantaten/Prothesen offensichtlich massive nachteilige Auswirkungen z.B. auf das Einwachsverhalten von Osteosyntheseplatten, Implantaten, Prothesen, Schrauben u.a. aus.The induction effect of iron, for example on fibroblasts, is known. About 30% of the so-called alternate operations are mainly required due to particles in the periprosthetic tissue, which are responsible for the loosening of the implants / prostheses ("particle disease"). Iron, on the one hand, an essential element for the organism, on the other hand, exercises in the vicinity of implants / Prostheses obviously have massive adverse effects, for example on the ingrowth behavior of osteosynthesis plates, implants, prostheses, screws, etc.
Aufgrund der durch die spezielle Untersuchungsmethodik - Verwendung absolut eisenfreier Instrumente - gewonnenen Ergebnisse muß das im periprosthetischen Gewebe von eisenfreien Implantaten/Prothesen nachgewiesene Eisen folglich bei der Operation eingebracht worden sein.Due to the results obtained through the special examination method - using absolutely iron-free instruments - the iron detected in the periprosthetic tissue of iron-free implants / prostheses must therefore have been introduced during the operation.
Viele Operationstechniken in der Orthopädie oder Chirurgie sehen die Verwendung von Skalpellen, Scheren, Sägen, Bohrern, Gewindeschneidern, Zentrierwerkzeugen, Bohrbüchsen, Schablonen und ähnlichen Instrumenten aus eisenhaltigen Materialien vor. Verwiesen sei an dieser Stelle beispielhaft auf den Artikel „Semiconstrained Total Elbow Replacement for the Treatment of Post- Traumatic Osteoarthrosis" von A.G. Schneeberger et al., The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol. 79-A, No. 8, August 1997, S. 1211 ff. Überraschenderweise wurden bei Untersuchungen dieser Instrumente nach ihrem Einsatz in vielen Fällen deutliche Verschleißspuren festgestellt. Ein Verschleiß, der durch Abrieb des eisenhaltigen Werkstoffes entsteht und teilweise mit bloßem Auge zu erkennen ist. Dieser bei der Operation entstehende eisenhaltige Abrieb sammelt sich offensichtlich im periprosthetischen Gewebe an und kann damit zumindest mitverantwortlich für die Lockerung der Prothesen gemacht werden.Many surgical techniques in orthopedics or surgery involve the use of scalpels, scissors, saws, drills, taps, centering tools, drill sleeves, templates and similar instruments made of ferrous materials. Reference is made here, for example, to the article "Semiconstrained Total Elbow Replacement for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthrosis" by AG Schneeberger et al., The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol. 79-A, No. 8, August 1997 , P. 1211 ff. Surprisingly, examinations of these instruments clearly showed clear signs of wear after their use in many cases. Wear that is caused by abrasion of the ferrous material and is partially visible to the naked eye. This iron-containing abrasion that occurs during the operation obviously accumulates in the periprosthetic tissue and can therefore be made at least partly responsible for the loosening of the prostheses.
Die vorliegende Erfindung hatte es sich daher zum Ziel gesetzt, Eisenabrieb bei Operationen sicher zu vermeiden.The present invention has therefore set itself the goal of safely avoiding iron abrasion during operations.
Eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung war daher, Werkzeuge und Instrumente bereitzustellen, die in der Chirurgie, beim Einsatz bei Operationen, beispielsweise bei der Bearbeitung von Knochen, beim Einsetzen von Implantaten, keinen Eisenabrieb verursachen, um damit osteolytisch wirksames Eisen im Gewebe zu verhindern.An object of the present invention was therefore to provide tools and instruments which do not cause iron abrasion in surgery, when used in operations, for example when working on bones, when inserting implants, in order to thereby prevent osteolytically active iron in the tissue.
Gelöst wurde die der vorliegenden Erfindung zugrundeliegende Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß durch die Verwendung von biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten bzw. durch die Verwendung der aus biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien hergestellten medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten bei Operationen.The object on which the present invention is based was achieved according to the invention by the use of biocompatible bio-inert materials for the production of medical / surgical instruments or by the use of the medical / surgical instruments made from biocompatible bio-inert materials during operations.
Erfindungsgemäß werden medizinische/chirurgische Instrumente aus biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien bereitgestellt.According to the invention, medical / surgical instruments made of bio-compatible bio-inert materials are provided.
Von entscheidender Bedeutung für die erfindungsgemäße Lösung ist der Einsatz von biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien. Zu solchen biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien zählen vorzugsweise Keramiken. Beispielhaft genannt seien hier hochfeste technische Keramiken, wie solche auf Aluminiumoxid-, Zirkonoxid- oder Siliziumnitridbasis. Besonders bevorzugt sind sogenannte Y-TZP-Keramiken oder auch ZPTA-Keramiken. ZPTA-Keramiken bestehen aus einem Matrixwerkstoff, der aus einem Aluminiumoxid-/Chromoxid-Mischkristall besteht und „in situ" plateletverstärkt ist. Solche Keramiken sind beispielsweise beschrieben in der EPA O 542 815. Hierbei handelt es sich um eine Keramik, bei der in einem aus einem Aluminiumoxid-/Chromoxid-Mischkristall gebildeten Matrixwerkstoff eines Sinterformkörpers stabilisierende Oxide enthaltendes Zirkoniumdioxid eingelagert ist, wobei die Zugabemenge der stabilisierenden Oxide so gewählt ist, daß das Zirkoniumdioxid überwiegend tetragonal ist. Neben diesen Keramiken sind aber auch andere Keramiken einsetzbar. Sichergestellt sein muß lediglich, daß sie biokampatibel und bioinert sind. Solche Keramiken sind in der Medizintechnik seit langem bekannt. Zu ihnen zählen unter anderem die Keramiken, aus denen beispielsweise Implantate hergestellt werden und die unter den Namen Biolox® und Ziolox® von der Anmelderin vertrieben werden.The use of biocompatible bio-inert materials is of crucial importance for the solution according to the invention. Such bio-compatible bio-inert materials preferably include ceramics. Examples include high-strength technical ceramics, such as those based on aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide or silicon nitride. So-called Y-TZP ceramics or ZPTA ceramics are particularly preferred. ZPTA ceramics consist of a matrix material, which consists of an aluminum oxide / chromium oxide mixed crystal and is platelet-reinforced “in situ”. Such ceramics are described, for example, in EPA O 542 815. This is a ceramic in which one zirconium dioxide containing stabilizing oxides is incorporated from a matrix material of an aluminum oxide / chromium oxide mixed crystal of a sintered molded body, the amount of stabilizing oxides added being selected such that the zirconium dioxide is predominantly tetragonal that she are bio-compatible and bio-inert. Such ceramics have long been known in medical technology. They include the ceramics from which implants are made, for example, and which are sold by the applicant under the names Biolox ® and Ziolox ® .
Aus diesen hochfesten technischen Keramiken können erfindungsgemäß beispielsweise Skalpelle, Scheren, Sägen, Bohrer, Gewindeschneider, Zentrierwerkzeuge, Bohrbüchsen, Schablonen und ähnliche Instrumente hergestellt werden.These high-strength technical ceramics can be used, for example, to produce scalpels, scissors, saws, drills, taps, centering tools, drill bushes, templates and similar instruments.
Die Herstellung der für diese Instrumente erforderlichen Keramiken erfolgt in dem Fachmann an sich bekannter Weise. Zu beachten ist dabei jedoch, daß die für diese Instrumente erforderliche Keramik für den erfindungsgemäßen Einsatz in der Medizin oder Chirurgie scharfkantig sein sollte und keine Phase aufweist, wie beim Einsatz von Keramiken als Werkzeug zur Bearbeitung von Metall.The ceramics required for these instruments are produced in a manner known per se to the person skilled in the art. It should be noted, however, that the ceramics required for these instruments for use in medicine or surgery according to the invention should be sharp-edged and have no phase, as when using ceramics as a tool for machining metal.
Ein erfindungsgemäßer Bohrer wird beispielsweise erhalten, indem zunächst ein Zylinder hergestellt wird, beispielsweise aus einer Keramik gemäß EPA 0 542 815, in den dann die für den Einsatz als spanabhebendes Instrument erforderliche Kontur eingeschliffen wird. Die Figur 1 zeigt Bohrer, die auf diese Weise hergestellt wurden. Ebenfalls möglich ist die Herstellung einer endkontumahen Keramik durch Spritzgussverfahren oder durch das sogenannte DCC-Verfahren, die dann entsprechend nachbearbeitet wird. Beim DCC- Verfahren wird der Grünkörper direkt aus der Suspension hergestellt. Dazu wird die keramische Mischung mit einem Feststoffgehalt von über 50 Vol-% in einer wässrigen Suspension gemahlen. Der pH-Wert der Mischung ist dabei auf 4 - 4,5 einzustellen. Nach der Mahlung wird Harnstoff und eine Menge des Enzyms Urease hinzugefügt, die geeignet ist, den Harnstoff abzubauen, bevor diese Suspension in eine Form abgegossen wird. Durch die enzymkatalysierte Harnstoffzersetzung verschiebt sich der pH-Wert der Suspension nach 9, wobei die Suspension koaguliert. Der so hergestellte Grünkörper wird nach der Entformung getrocknet und gesintert. Der Sinterprozeß kann drucklos erfolgen, aber auch das Vorsintern, gefolgt von anschließender heißisostatischer Nachverdichtung, ist möglich. Weitere Einzelheiten zu diesem Verfahren (DCC- Verfahren) sind in der WO 94/02429 und in der WO 94/24064 offenbart, auf die ausdrücklich Bezug genommen wird.A drill according to the invention is obtained, for example, by first producing a cylinder, for example from a ceramic according to EPA 0 542 815, into which the contour required for use as a cutting instrument is then ground. Figure 1 shows drills made in this way. It is also possible to manufacture a ceramic close to the final shape by injection molding or by the so-called DCC process, which is then reworked accordingly. In the DCC process, the green body is made directly from the suspension. For this purpose, the ceramic mixture with a solids content of more than 50% by volume is ground in an aqueous suspension. The pH of the mixture should be adjusted to 4 - 4.5. After grinding, urea and a quantity of the enzyme urease, which is suitable for breaking down the urea, are added before this suspension is poured into a mold. Due to the enzyme-catalyzed urea decomposition, the pH of the suspension shifts to 9, the suspension coagulating. The green body produced in this way is dried and sintered after removal from the mold. The sintering process can be carried out without pressure, but pre-sintering, followed by subsequent hot isostatic post-compression, is also possible. Further details on this method (DCC method) are disclosed in WO 94/02429 and in WO 94/24064, to which express reference is made.
Ein erfindungsgemäßes Skalpell oder eine erfindungsgemäße Schere kann beispielsweise prinzipiell auch gemäß DE 43 13 305 erhalten werden, wobei die Schneidklingen der erfindungsgemäßen Schere sowohl unterschiedliche als auch gleiche Härte aufweisen können.A scalpel according to the invention or a pair of scissors according to the invention can in principle also be obtained according to DE 43 13 305, the Cutting blades of the scissors according to the invention can have both different and the same hardness.
Erfindungsgemäß ebenfalls möglich ist es, bekannte medizinische/chirurgische Instrumente mit biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien zu beschichten.According to the invention it is also possible to coat known medical / surgical instruments with bio-compatible bio-inert materials.
In allen Fällen gilt, daß das Aussehen, die Form, die Geometrie, die Größe der erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente dabei den bisher verwendeten medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten entsprechen kann.In all cases it applies that the appearance, the shape, the geometry, the size of the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention can correspond to the medical / surgical instruments previously used.
Durch die erfindungsgemäße Verwendung von biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten bzw. durch die Verwendung der aus biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien bestehenden Instrumente/Werkzeuge bei Operationen ist es damit erstmals möglich, die Einbringung eisenhaltiger Partikel in das Gewebe sicher zu vermeiden. Die erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente können damit beispielsweise zur Vermeidung von operationsbedingten osteolytisch wirkenden eisenhaltigen Abriebpartikeln bei der Bearbeitung von Knochen eingesetzt werden.The inventive use of biocompatible bio-inert materials for the production of medical / surgical instruments or the use of the instruments / tools consisting of biocompatible bio-inert materials during operations makes it possible for the first time to reliably avoid the introduction of iron-containing particles into the tissue. The medical / surgical instruments according to the invention can thus be used, for example, to avoid operation-related osteolytic iron-containing abrasion particles when processing bones.
Die erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente weisen eine extrem hohe Verschleißfestigkeit und entsprechend hohe mechanische Eigenschaften auf. Des weiteren ist vorteilhaft, daß die Schneidcharakteristik der erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente wesentlich besser ist, als die Schneidcharakteristik bei herkömmlichen Instrumenten gleicher Geometrie. Figur 2 zeigt den Vergleich zwischen einem herkömmlichen Bohrer aus Metall und einem erfindungsgemäßen Bohrer aus biokompatibler bioinerter Keramik beim Einsatz im Knochen. Ein Grund hierfür ist die Oberfläche der erfindungsgemäß verwendeten Keramiken. Während es bei herkömmlichen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten bekanntermaßen zuThe medical / surgical instruments according to the invention have extremely high wear resistance and correspondingly high mechanical properties. It is also advantageous that the cutting characteristic of the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention is significantly better than the cutting characteristic of conventional instruments of the same geometry. Figure 2 shows the comparison between a conventional drill made of metal and a drill according to the invention made of bio-compatible bio-inert ceramic when used in the bone. One reason for this is the surface of the ceramics used according to the invention. While it is known to be with conventional medical / surgical instruments
Benetzbarkeitsproblemen kommt, wenn fetthaltiges Gewebe geschnitten wird - fetthaltiges Gewebe macht herkömmliche Skalpelle stumpf, ein Grund, warum mittlerweile Skalpelle als Einmalinstrumente eingesetzt werden - tritt dieses Problem bei den erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten nicht auf.Wettability problems arise when cutting fatty tissue - fatty tissue makes conventional scalpels blunt, a reason why scalpels are now used as disposable instruments - this problem does not occur with the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention.
Aufgrund der besseren Schneidcharakteristik der erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente kann generell auch von verbesserter Leistung ausgegangen werden. Tabelle 1 und Figur 3 zeigen den Vergleich von zwei erfindungsgemäßen Bohrern mit einem herkömmlichen Bohrer gleicher Geometrie aus Metall beim Einsatz im Knochen.Due to the better cutting characteristics of the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention, improved performance can generally also be assumed. Table 1 and Figure 3 show the comparison of two drills according to the invention with a conventional drill of the same geometry made of metal when used in the bone.
Von besonderer, insbesondere wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung ist weiterhin die Möglichkeit, die erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente mehrfach verwenden zu können. Herkömmliche Instrumente aus Metall können und werden in der Regel nur einmal verwendet. Aufgrund der Oberflächenchemie sind die erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente auch nach ihrem Einsatz problemlos resterilisierbar; selbst wenn die erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente autoklaviert werden, sind sie den herkömmlichen Instrumenten in ihrer Leistung überlegen (vgl. Figur 3)Of particular, especially economic importance is the possibility of being able to use the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention several times. Conventional metal instruments can and are usually used only once. Because of the surface chemistry, the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention can be easily re-sterilized even after their use; Even if the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention are autoclaved, they are superior in their performance to conventional instruments (cf. FIG. 3).
Von besonderem Vorteil ist weiterhin die Verwendung der erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente im Hinblick auf neue Operationstechniken wie z.B. dem sog. „Roboting" oder dem sog. „Imaging". So macht beispielsweise der Einsatz der Kernspintomographie im Operationssaal den Einsatz von nichtmetallischen Instrumenten erforderlich. Während bei der Kernspintomographie metallische Instrumente unscharf abgebildet werden, werden die erfindungsgemäßen medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente konturenscharf abgebildet.Of particular advantage is the use of the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention with regard to new surgical techniques such as the so-called "roboting" or the so-called "imaging". For example, the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the operating room requires the use of non-metallic instruments. While magnetic instruments are imaged out of focus in magnetic resonance imaging, the medical / surgical instruments according to the invention are imaged with sharp contours.
Wird im Zusammenhang mit dieser Erfindung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten gesprochen, so sollen darunter auch Instrumente und Werkzeuge verstanden werden, die zumindest zum Teil aus biokompatiblen bioinerten Materialien bestehen und in der Medizin/Chirurgie verwendet werden und dem gleichen Zweck wie die medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumente dienen sollen. If medical / surgical instruments are used in connection with this invention, then instruments and tools are to be understood, which at least partially consist of bio-compatible bio-inert materials and are used in medicine / surgery and for the same purpose as the medical / surgical instruments should serve.
Tabelle 1Table 1
Tabelle 1Table 1
*) mit proteinlösendem Reinigungsmittel *) with protein-dissolving detergent

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material.1. Medical / surgical instrument made of bio-compatible bio-inert material.
2. Medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es mit biokompatiblem bioinertem Material beschichtet ist.2. Medical / surgical instrument, characterized in that it is coated with bio-compatible bio-inert material.
3. Medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material hochfeste technische Keramik ist.3. Medical / surgical instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the biocompatible bio-inert material is high-strength technical ceramic.
4. Medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Keramik auf4. Medical / surgical instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material on a ceramic
Aluminiumoxid-, Zirkonoxid- oder Siliziumnitridbasis ist.Alumina, zirconia or silicon nitride base.
5. Medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Y-TZP- oder ZTPA-Keramik ist.5. Medical / surgical instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the biocompatible bio-inert material is a Y-TZP or ZTPA ceramic.
6. Medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument gemäß einem oder mehreren der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es als Skalpell, Schere, Säge, Bohrer, Gewindeschneider, Zentrierwerkzeug, Bohrbüchse oder als Schablone ausgebildet ist.6. Medical / surgical instrument according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is designed as a scalpel, scissors, saw, drill, tap, centering tool, drill sleeve or as a template.
7. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten.7. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for the manufacture of medical / surgical instruments.
8. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine hochfeste technische Keramik ist.8. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for the production of medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is a high-strength technical ceramic.
9. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Keramik auf Aluminiumoxid-, Zirkonoxid- oder Siliziumnitridbasis ist.9. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for the production of medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is a ceramic based on aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide or silicon nitride.
10. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Y-TZP- oder ZTPA-Keramik ist. 10. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for the production of medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is a Y-TZP or ZTPA ceramic.
1 1 . Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Herstellung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material gemäß einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5 charakterisiert ist und das Instrument als Skalpell, Schere, Säge, Bohrer, Gewindeschneider, Zentrierwerkzeug, Bohrbüchse oder als Schablone ausgebildet ist.1 1. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for the production of medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is characterized according to one of claims 3 to 5 and the instrument as a scalpel, scissors, saw, drill, thread cutter, centering tool, drill sleeve or as a template is trained.
12. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Beschichtung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten.12. Use of a biocompatible bio-inert material for coating medical / surgical instruments.
13. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Beschichtung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine hochfeste technische Keramik ist.13. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for coating medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is a high-strength technical ceramic.
14. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Beschichtung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Keramik auf Aluminiumoxid-,14. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for coating medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is a ceramic on aluminum oxide,
Zirkonoxid- oder Siliziumnitridbasis ist.Is based on zirconium oxide or silicon nitride.
15. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Beschichtung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Y-TZP- oder ZTPA-Keramik ist.15. Use of a bio-compatible bio-inert material for coating medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is a Y-TZP or ZTPA ceramic.
16. Verwendung eines biokompatiblen bioinerten Materials zur Beschichtung von medizinischen/chirurgischen Instrumenten, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material gemäß einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5 charakterisiert ist und das Instrument als Skalpell, Schere, Säge, Bohrer, Gewindeschneider, Zentrierwerkzeug, Bohrbüchse oder als Schablone ausgebildet ist.16. Use of a biocompatible bio-inert material for coating medical / surgical instruments, characterized in that the biocompatible bio-inert material is characterized according to one of claims 3 to 5 and the instrument as a scalpel, scissors, saw, drill, thread cutter, centering tool, drill sleeve or is designed as a template.
17. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material in der Chirurgie.17. Use of a tool made of biocompatible bio-inert material in surgery.
18. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material zur Bearbeitung von Knochen.18. Use of a tool made of bio-compatible bio-inert material for processing bones.
19. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material zur spanabhebenden Bearbeitung von Knochen. 19. Use of a tool made of biocompatible bio-inert material for machining bones.
20. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material zur Vermeidung von osteolytisch wirkenden Abriebpartikeln.20. Use of a tool made of bio-compatible bio-inert material to avoid osteolytic abrasion particles.
21. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material gemäß einem der Ansprüche 17 bis 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material gemäß einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5 charakterisiert ist.21. Use of a tool made of bio-compatible bio-inert material according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is characterized according to one of claims 3 to 5.
22. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material gemäß einem der Ansprüche 17 bis 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material gemäß einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5 charakterisiert ist und das Werkzeug als Skalpell, Schere, Säge, Bohrer,22. Use of a tool made of bio-compatible bio-inert material according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is characterized according to one of claims 3 to 5 and the tool as a scalpel, scissors, saw, drill,
Gewindeschneider, Zentrierwerkzeug, Bohrbüchse oder als Schablone ausgebildet ist.Thread cutter, centering tool, drill sleeve or is designed as a template.
23. Werkzeug aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material zur Verwendung als medizinisches/chirurgisches Instrument.23. Tool made of biocompatible bio-inert material for use as a medical / surgical instrument.
24. Werkzeug gemäß Anspruch 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material hochfeste technische Keramik ist.24. Tool according to claim 23, characterized in that the bio-compatible bio-inert material is high-strength technical ceramic.
25. Werkzeug gemäß Anspruch 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Keramik auf Aluminiumoxid-, Zirkonoxid- oder Siliziumnitridbasis ist.25. Tool according to claim 23, characterized in that the biocompatible bio-inert material is a ceramic based on aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide or silicon nitride.
26. Werkzeug gemäß Anspruch 23, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das biokompatible bioinerte Material eine Y-TZP- oder ZTPA-Keramik ist.26. Tool according to claim 23, characterized in that the biocompatible bio-inert material is a Y-TZP or ZTPA ceramic.
27. Werkzeug gemäß einem der Ansprüche 23 bis 26, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Werkzeug als Skalpell, Schere, Säge, Bohrer, Gewindeschneider, Zentrierwerkzeug, Bohrbüchse oder als Schablone ausgebildet ist.27. Tool according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that the tool is designed as a scalpel, scissors, saw, drill, tap, centering tool, drill sleeve or as a template.
28. Werkzeug gemäß einem der Ansprüche 23 bis 27, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß zumindest ein Teil der Oberfläche aus dem biokompatiblem bioinertem Material besteht.28. Tool according to one of claims 23 to 27, characterized in that at least part of the surface consists of the biocompatible bio-inert material.
29. Verwendung eines Werkzeugs aus biokompatiblem bioinertem Material beim „Roboting" oder „Imaging". 29. Use of a tool made of bio-compatible bio-inert material for "roboting" or "imaging".
EP00920688A 1999-04-11 2000-04-11 Medical instruments Ceased EP1171401A1 (en)

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