Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
In a process for production of an implant for replacing a natural bone, the process being of the type comprising using a pattern of connectively open-celled material, filling the cells of said material with a core material of ceramic matrix composition, removing the pattern material by firing the core material so that cavities remain in the core thus produced, casting the implant material into the cavities of the core, and finally removing the core material, the improvement which comprises using a pattern material having a open-celled web structure and formed as a spatial grid or lattice network, the cells of the pattern material being defined and formed by delicate interconnected threads, prior to placing the core material in the pattern material, coating the threads or walls of the cells with a wax emulsified in water at a temperature of 20°-40° C. so that the diameter of the coated threads corresponds to the diameter of cells of the natural bone replaced by the implant, applying said wax coating as an emulsion on all surfaces of the threads or walls of the cells of the pattern material, so that evaporation of the the water, by surrounding temperature, leaves the wax deposited as a dry coating on the threads or cell walls of the pattern material reinforcing and increasing the surfaces of the threads or cell walls of the pattern material, and following the filling of the cells of the pattern material with the core material, removing said coating together with the pattern material during the firing of the core material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
In a process for production of an implant for replacing a natural bone, the process being of the type comprising using a pattern of connectively open-celled material, filling the cells of said material with a core material of ceramic matrix composition, removing the pattern material by firing the core material so that cavities remain in the core thus produced, casting the implant material into the cavities of the core, and finally removing the core material, the improvement which comprises using a pattern material having a open-celled web structure and formed as a spatial grid or lattice network, the cells of the pattern material being defined and formed by delicate interconnected threads, prior to placing the core material in the pattern material, coating the threads or walls of the cells with a wax emulsified in water at a temperature of 20°-40° C. so that the diameter of the coated threads corresponds to the diameter of cells of the natural bone replaced by the implant, applying said wax coating as an emulsion on all surfaces of the threads or walls of the cells of the pattern material, so that evaporation of the the water, by surrounding temperature, leaves the wax deposited as a dry coating on the threads or cell walls of the pattern material reinforcing and increasing the surfaces of the threads or cell walls of the pattern material, and following the filling of the cells of the pattern material with the core material, removing said coating together with the pattern material during the firing of the core material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved process according to claim 1, further comprises applying a plastics material lacquer over said coating for stabilization thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved process according to claim 1, wherein said coating of emulsified wax is applied to the threads or walls of the cells by immersion.