Bioactive material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bioactive material and to a method of producing a bioactive material which is suitable for use as an implant or for use as a bone substitute for repairing bone.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a material comprising:
 providing a substrate comprising a metal or metal alloy, wherein the substrate further comprises a surface having a surface area; and   forming a primary layer on the surface of the substrate, wherein the primary layer comprises a surface having a surface area and wherein the surface area of the surface of the primary layer is greater than the surface area of the surface of the substrate.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming the primary layer on the surface of the substrate comprises physically altering the surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein physically altering the surface of the substrate comprises blasting the surface of the substrate with abrasive particles. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming a primary layer on the surface of the substrate comprises chemically treating the surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein chemically treating the surface of the substrate comprises soaking the substrate in an alkaline solution at a temperature of approximately 30-90° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alkaline solution comprises sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the alkaline solution comprises a concentration of between 1 and 6 molar. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A The method of  claim 17 , wherein the alkaline solution comprises a concentration of between 2 and 4 molar. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A material formed by the method of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         23 . An implant suitable for repairing bone or for use as a bone substitute comprising the material of  claim 11 .