Implant having a long-term antibiotic effect

1 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . Prosthesis for replacement of hollow organs with antibiotic long-term action with a basic structure which defines the form of the prosthesis and which is made of substantially non-absorbable or only slowly absorbable polymer material and of a coating of an absorbable material, with a layer of metallic silver situated on the polymer material and underneath the coating.

19 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the silver layer adheres firmly on the polymer material.

20 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the silver layer is vapor-deposited onto the polymer surface.

21 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein silver atoms of the silver layer are impressed into the polymer surface of the basic structure.

22 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the silver layer is a substantially closed layer.

23 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the silver layer is of such thickness that, as it breaks down in the body, a maximum of about 5 to 10% of the layer is removed per annum.

24 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the silver layer has a layer thickness of 2500 to 1000 Å.

25 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the silver layer is composed exclusively of elemental silver.

26 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the basic structure is porous, the silver layer leaves the pores open, and the absorbable layer is an impregnation which seals the pores of the prosthesis.

27 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the absorbable coating is formed from optionally crosslinked biological material.

28 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the absorbable coating is made of synthetic polymers and copolymers which are absorbable in vivo.

29 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the composition of the absorbable coating is chosen such that it is absorbed at the latest after four months.

30 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the coating of absorbable material in turn contains active substances which are released during absorption of the absorbable coating.

31 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the basic structure is made from a textile material.

32 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the fibers of the textile basic structure are coated with silver at least at the locations which point toward at least one surface of the prosthesis.

33 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 32 , wherein substantially the entire surface of the fibers being coated with silver.

34 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the basic structure is made from a sintered material.

35 . The prosthesis as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said implant is designed as a vascular prosthesis.