Abstract: A biocompatible composite material and a method for its production are provided, wherein the composite material is made of a plastic matrix having a felt of collagen fibers contained therein, wherein the collagen fibers project out of a surface of the composite material, wherein the composite material is produced by a process involving:a) providing a collagen fiber felt wherein the collagen fibers have a structure of native collagen;b) impregnating the collagen fiber felt with one or more polymerizable monomers,c) partially curing the one or more polymerizable monomers to provide a polymer containing unpolymerized monomers, shortchain oligomers or both therein;d) removing the unpolymerized monomers and shortchain oligomers from the surface of the composite material to expose the collagen fiber felt on the surface,wherein the composite material is useful for the production of implants, especially dental implants and the implants can be colonized with human cells prior to implantation.

Abstract: An improved instrument for destroying concretions within the body of living tissue, with a focusing chamber which is a part of an ellipsoid of revolution and at one focus of which shock waves are generated by arc discharge, the improvement comprising that a pad (8) filled with degassed water and of which the front and rear sides thereof (10 and 12 respectively) are composed of shape-adapting, acoustically matched thin foils, is located between the liquid-filled focusing chamber (16) and the coupling site (6) to the body (2), the pad permitting simultaneous introduction of X-rays or ultrasonic waves to locate the concretion and to monitor the success in comminuting, and a second water pad (24) similar to the first pad is located at the body decoupling site and encloses the body over a large area, the rear side thereof being fastened by means of a damping or diffusely reflecting layer (26), for instance foam rubber, to a rigid dish (28) composed of one or more parts.