Abstract: The invention relates to a device (4) in the form of a medical prosthesis (9, 17), medical osteosynthesis device, hearing aid or hearing aid housing, essentially made of metal, wherein the device (4, 9, 17) comprises at least one optical diffractive element with a grating (6) which is directly embossed in an exposed metal surface in the form of a security and/or identification element. The invention furthermore relates to methods for making such devices and to uses of such devices.

Abstract: The coating is particularly suited for identifying and characterizing surgical implants and instruments as well as for providing a diffusion barrier for surgical implants and instruments. The coating comprises a biocompatible, transparent and, in itself, colorless interference layer, which is joined to the surface of the implant or of the instrument, has a constant layer thickness, and which is not, or only slightly, electrically conductive, i.e., is dielectric. The coating is also suited for generating interferences and interference colors over the entire visible spectrum.