A coating nozzle for cleaning implant parts, particularly for use within a system for cleaning components contaminated by biofilms, such as implant parts

Abstract

In particular, according to the invention, application nozzles 20, 56, 56', 56'' for applying dental active substances into the oral cavity of a patient, for a system 1, 1' for cleaning implant parts 2 contaminated by a biofilm, comprise a base or nozzle body 30, 72, here at least one medium channel 32, 76 on one side and a plurality of conductor elements 34, 36, 84, 86 on the other side being integrated, and the base or nozzle body 30, 72 is designed as a base or nozzle body 30, 72 which extends planar in the longitudinal direction from the connection region 26, 80 towards the treatment free end 28, 82 and tapers in its cross section in the direction of the treatment end 28, 82.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application nozzle for applying a dental agent into a patient's oral cavity for cleaning an inserted dental implant. The present invention further relates to a system for cleaning components contaminated with biofilm, specifically implant parts and the like, using such an application nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] From International Publication No. WO 2014 / 075755, International Publication No. WO 2014 / 122187, International Publication No. WO 2014 / 122188, International Publication No. WO 2016 / 023998, and International Publication No. WO 2021 / 018871, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, a treatment element for use with implant parts, and a method for cleaning dental implant parts are each known. Such cleaning of implant parts may be desirable or necessary to ensure the maintenance of the inserted implant within the bone mass. Biofilm can form on the solid surface of the implant, and the biofilm contains bacteria that can be surrounded by tissue and tissue fluid and ultimately lead to chronic and recurrent infections. This condition is known as peri-implantitis. Similar to periodontitis, a combination of neglected oral hygiene, the attachment of biofilm to the usually slightly rough surface of dental implants, and other factors causes genuine peri-implantitis, which is characterized by high stress and the death of hard and soft tissues. The areas where hard and / or soft tissues recede are usually covered with biofilm.

[0003] The cleaning process described in the published literature mentioned above is based on the concept of killing and removing biofilms or bacteria that form contamination starting from the implant surface without damaging the implant surface. For this purpose, an electrolytic process is provided, where ions (cations and / or anions) are transported through the biofilm by electrostatic forces. These ions react chemically or electrochemically on the implant surface. These reactions create new compounds and / or convert the ions themselves and / or parts of these ions into an atomic state. Furthermore, there is also the possibility of ionic reactions with the surface material (e.g., formation of an oxide layer or material removal). This process, on the one hand, kills bacteria by the chemicals formed, and on the other hand, also causes the formation of bubbles that mechanically remove the biofilm. This effect of providing a mechanical element of the treatment mode in addition to the chemical element can be the most important effective element, especially when removing biofilms, because biofilms can have relatively high resistance to chemical and biological effects due to their complex properties and the compounds formed. The mechanical lifting effect by the bubbles breaks the binding force, and as a result, the chemical and biological effects can also access the components of the biofilm.

[0004] The bactericidal effect of this process is based on various effects. First, the application of voltage causes ions to be transported from the biofilm (including bacteria) itself to the anode or cathode. This can lead to killing bacteria and viruses. In addition, ions can undergo biochemical reactions when passing through the biofilm, which can further lead to killing bacteria and / or viruses. Another possibility of killing is that the new compounds formed on the implant surface have antibacterial and / or antiviral effects and / or antifungal effects. Of course, this can occur when the ions change into an atomic state.

[0005] The treatment elements described in the application documents mentioned above are specifically designed to perform this cleaning process directly on the inserted dental implant, i.e., preferably while the abutment tooth is present in the bone within the patient's mouth. For this purpose, the treatment elements are designed to be directly connected to the inserted abutment tooth component and then to apply, in the immediate vicinity of the inserted abutment tooth component in the adjacent bone lesion area, an appropriate treatment fluid that can function as the main component of the desired electrolysis process when exposed to an electric current and to apply an electric current. Therefore, in order to use this treatment element, it is necessary to establish both mechanical and electrical contact with the inserted support component. For this purpose, in the design of the treatment element described in the application documents mentioned above, the dental implant and possibly also the prosthesis on its abutment tooth generally have to be temporarily removed in order to fix the dental implant to the abutment tooth component. Therefore, performing such a procedure will generally be considered mainly therapeutic in the sense that there is already inflammation in the vicinity of the implant in the oral area and the existing biofilm has to be detached and removed. Therefore, the procedures to be carried out during treatment will be extensive.

[0006] Even now, it is desired or necessary to realize the described treatment concept, i.e., to realize the combination of applying an electric current to the implant in the lesion area and applying an electrolytic cleaning solution as something suitable for prophylactic treatment or preventive therapy. Different from a therapeutic treatment that may involve corresponding costs, this treatment concept should be designed to have particularly high flexibility and to be easily accessible.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is based on the task of providing an application nozzle for a treatment system of the type mentioned above, by using which, in the prevention of diseases, it is possible to apply the treatment concept mentioned above in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, a treatment system that is particularly suitable for using the application nozzle is also described.

[0009] Regarding the application nozzle, this object is achieved according to the present invention by using a nozzle body in which at least one medium channel on one side and a plurality of conductor elements on the other side are integrated to supply the cleaning electrolyte from the connection region to the treatment end, and the nozzle body is designed as a body that extends planar in the longitudinal direction from the connection region to the treatment free end and tapers in the direction of the treatment end in its cross-section.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. Further and / or alternative advantageous embodiments of the present invention, as well as other embodiments considered as independent inventions, will become apparent from the description of the figures.

[0011] On the one hand, the present invention is based on the idea that when using the treatment concept mentioned above in the prevention of diseases, it is desirable that the handling of system components is particularly easy. In such applications, on the other hand, treatment should be possible without other inclusions in the substance, for example, without temporary disassembly of a prosthesis. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is conceivable that this treatment is carried out as part of regular dental check-ups or preventive treatment, where the implant to be inserted is treated and brought into contact in its fixation area to the bone without prior removal of the prosthesis or the like. Therefore, access to the implant surface to be treated should essentially be via the tooth pocket associated with that implant, where pathogenic bacteria will accumulate in any case during the onset of initial inflammation. Therefore, the application nozzle should be designed in particular to have good usability within each tooth pocket and / or between the implant and the adjacent tooth, while having a corresponding compact design.

[0012] Taking this into account, according to one aspect of the present invention, a component is provided in which the design of the application nozzle or the treatment head is essentially planar. These are not intended to mean that the treatment head can or should be two-dimensional. Rather, it should be understood that the application nozzle or the nozzle body forming the application nozzle essentially extends along the bottom or base surface, but still has some thickness in a third spatial direction. However, seen in cross-section, this also means that the lateral extent of the nozzle body at the bottom surface is significantly larger than the thickness in the direction perpendicular thereto. In the present application, this means that, for example, by aligning the bottom surface of the nozzle body essentially parallel to the outer surface of the implant, the free end or the treatment end of the nozzle body can be inserted relatively easily into the tooth pocket mentioned above.

[0013] Furthermore, the cross-section of the nozzle body should taper towards the treatment end. Thus, the free end or the treatment end of the nozzle body essentially has a planar contour that is relatively narrow or even further tapering, such that it is particularly easy for the free end or the treatment end of the nozzle body to be inserted into the tooth pocket.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, a conductor element is arranged in or on one of the media channels such that the conductor element is wetted by the cleaning electrolyte flowing in the respective media channel. This ensures a highly reliable electrical contact and thus the desired process control as described above.

[0015] In order to enable the application of a relatively large amount of cleaning electrolyte into a tooth pocket having a particularly compact design, and in particular to enable the appropriate flooding of the pocket if necessary, the nozzle body should further be equipped with a plurality of outflow openings in an outflow area arranged within the region of the treatment end, and the plurality of outflow openings can be used integrally for the application of the electrolyte. For this purpose, according to one aspect of the invention, a branched media channel is integrated into the nozzle body, and the branched media channel opens into a plurality of application openings on the outlet side, such that the electrolyte can be supplied to these plurality of application openings via a common supply device. Alternatively, a plurality of media channels can further be present on the inlet side, and these plurality of media channels can transfer the same medium or can be connected to the same medium container or different medium containers all containing substantially the same or the same medium.

[0016] Specifically, the nozzle body can have a triangular contour when viewed from above.

[0017] In another advantageous development, a number of outflow openings are arranged in an outflow direction aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis. This makes it easier to flood the entire space within the tooth pocket around the free end or the treatment end of the nozzle body using the cleaning electrolytic solution.

[0018] This enables the application of the electrolytic solution, specifically in the region of the free end or the treatment end of the treatment head or the application nozzle, and in particular enables accurate application into the tooth pocket.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the application nozzle can generally be used as a treatment head within a system for cleaning components contaminated with biofilm or can be provided for such use.

[0020] In view of the intended use of the application nozzle in the field of dental medicine or disease prevention, a design particularly suitable for this purpose is advantageously selected to enable the production and thus mass production of a very large number of such application nozzles, thereby enabling the realization of a functionally highly reliable application concept even when using relatively inexpensive materials. To take this into account, a metal foil material is advantageously provided as the base material for manufacturing the nozzle body of the nozzle, and the nozzle body of the nozzle can be constructed by laminating a plurality of metal foil layers on top of each other to form a suitable composite body. Thus, the base body or the nozzle body, in which the medium channels opening out to the respective application openings on the outlet side are arranged, is formed in this advantageous embodiment, which is considered to have independent inventiveness, by a layered body constructed as a laminate from a plurality of film pieces.

[0021] The media transfer channels provided for transferring the electrolytic solution to the intended delivery points within the composite body, which open into the application openings of the composite body on the outlet side, can be provided by recesses made in the respective films. By using film-based techniques involving subsequent laminations, in particular, it becomes possible to give the design a very high degree of flexibility and to insert such media channels, because, for example, by appropriately shaping within each film, particularly preferably by punching or laser cutting, the free space or void space required for these within the composite body can be created in a variety of ways and in a variety of geometric shapes. The media channels can be produced, specifically, by utilizing lamination techniques such as, for example, producing a central film with corresponding cutouts and then integrally laminating continuous films on the upper and lower sides thereto, thereby forming a composite body in the form of a film sandwich. By doing so, the media distribution within the individual channels can be very precisely controlled by their spatial design.

[0022] Advantageously, polyamide is provided as the base material for the film or film piece, but alternatively, other suitable film materials such as PVC, PP, or PE, or even combinations of different film materials, can also be considered suitable. According to one aspect of the present invention, the material selection is made, particularly with the aim of ensuring that the application nozzle is suitable for use by a skilled medical practitioner, for example, in relation to treatments by a dentist. Particularly preferably, the film material is selected based on its material properties such that the rigidity of the laminate or composite body formed from the film piece does not become excessively high and, thereby, most of the damage within the oral cavity is eliminated.

[0023] In a particularly advantageous embodiment considered to have independent inventiveness, the nozzle body is constructed from at least three film layers with different material properties and adapted to meet functionally diverse specifications. Specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention, the central film layer disposed between two adjacent film layers can be formed, in whole or in part, from a film material that is harder than the two adjacent film layers, specifically a film material having a different Shore hardness or elastic modulus. Thus, one of the film pieces of the central film layer or the film pieces forming the central film layer can define the contour or spatial shape of the nozzle body as a support structure, while the relatively soft outer film layer can be designed to have flexibility and deformability, and thus can significantly reduce the risk of damage, for example, when in contact with the oral mucosa against the nozzle body.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the media channels are formed by respective recesses within the central film, i.e., the inner film, and each recess is laterally bounded by the respective lateral edges of the adjacent film pieces. Further, each media channel is bounded at the top and bottom by a continuous base film or cover film laminated correspondingly. In an advantageous embodiment considered to have independent inventiveness, in order to enable reliable and highly reliable provision of respective media channels with a relatively large free cross-section suitable for passing a larger amount of electrolyte using correspondingly wide recesses within the middle film or central film, a spacer equipped with a number of integrated media channels is provided.

[0025] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, which is likewise considered to have an independent inventiveness, the application nozzle is also designed based on its geometric configuration and dimensions for the intended use of accurately applying the electrolyte solution in the oral region of the patient. Specifically, it is also advantageously considered that the application into the interdental spaces or dental pockets of the patient may also be intended. According to one aspect of the invention, an application nozzle particularly suitable for this purpose has a nozzle body constructed as a laminate of metal foil pieces having an overall thickness of 0.3 to 2 mm, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm, particularly preferably 0.7 to 1.2 mm. Correspondingly, the film pieces forming the laminate preferably each have a film thickness of 50 to 500 μm, preferably 80 to 350 μm, particularly preferably 100 to 250 μm.

[0026] In another advantageous development, the above-described application nozzle is designed as a disposable or single-use product and is therefore intended for single use only.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present invention, the application nozzle is equipped with a conductor element aimed at adjusting the intended current flow of the above-mentioned treatment concept with high reliability. On the one hand, it is intended to establish a current flow through the cleaning electrolyte induced in the medium channel so that the basic process can be triggered as a result. To ensure this, according to one aspect of the present invention, a number of conductor elements assigned to the first electrical polarity are integrated into the nozzle body, and each conductor element is wetted by the cleaning electrolyte when the cleaning electrolyte flows through each medium channel, and is arranged in or on one of the medium channels. On the inlet side, via a branch point arranged and configured within the nozzle body or further via a distribution system arranged and configured upstream of the nozzle body on the flow side, in a particularly preferred parallel connection on the medium side of two or more medium channels that can be connected to a common electrolyte container or a plurality of functionally interconnected electrolyte containers, such conductor elements assigned to the first polarity are preferably arranged and configured in a plurality of medium channels, at least two of these medium channels. Therefore, according to this aspect of the present invention, at least two conductor elements assigned to the first electrical polarity are integrated into the nozzle body.

[0028] Furthermore, in the intended treatment mode during transplantation therapy, direct electrical contact with the implant is important. Furthermore, this should be done via the application nozzle, because in this case, unlike the concept described at the beginning, disassembly of the prosthesis is not achieved, and thus electrical contact with the implant via its inner region or via the upper exposed region is not possible. Nevertheless, in order to enable direct electrical contact with a highly reliable implant, according to one aspect of the present invention, a conductor element associated with the second electrical polarity is integrated into the nozzle body, and this conductor element protrudes beyond the treatment end formed by the nozzle body when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Thus, this conductor element is exposed at the end and can thus be brought into direct contact with the outer exposed surface of the implant, even, for example, in a dental pocket, and can make electrical contact. This requires that an electrode opposite to the above-mentioned conductor element be formed so that within a certain range, the current flow can be adjusted as a result of connecting an appropriate current source or voltage source.

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the treatment head is designed as a disposable product or a disposable product. This can be achieved, for example, by destroying the treatment head after use, i.e., after it has been removed from the other components of the treatment system being used, or by rendering the treatment head inoperable by some other means.

[0030] According to an aspect considered to have independent inventiveness, the application nozzle is used in a system for cleaning components contaminated with biofilms, particularly implant parts.

[0031] Regarding a system for cleaning components contaminated with biofilms, in particular implant parts, having such an application nozzle, the task referred to is solved by using a handle part equipped with a number of electrical and media connections such that both the conductor element and the media channel of the application nozzle can be connected to corresponding electrical supply lines and media supply lines within the handle part.

[0032] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the treatment system is designed as a mobile device, where no fixed connection to an external peripheral device is required. For this purpose, a replaceable reservoir for the electrolyte is preferably arranged within the handle.

[0033] The advantage achieved using the present invention lies specifically in the fact that, due to the design of the nozzle body as a planar component tapering towards the free end, the intended treatment of the inserted implant can be carried out via a relevant pocket such that its access is made possible through the spatial shape mentioned above. Thus, extensive preliminary procedures for carrying out the treatment, such as removing a prosthesis, can be eliminated. Furthermore, the media channel integrated into the nozzle body and branching within the nozzle body particularly facilitates the uniform application of the electrolyte so as to fill the entire space for highly reliable application, in particular over the entire dental pocket, via a plurality of downstream application openings.

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] In all the figures, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts.

[0037] Generally, the problem of a dental implant system, and particularly an implant system consisting of two parts, is that when bacteria or germs enter the tissue area near the insertion site, and particularly the area of the male thread inserted into the jaw, inflammation or foci of inflammation can occur. Such inflammation, which particularly develops from so-called peri-implantitis, can lead to serious damage to the tissue and bone within the area of the insertion site, especially when the inflammation develops and becomes chronic over a long period. If appropriate countermeasures are not taken, these disorders can cause the entire implant system to be removed from the bone, the need for a new implant system to be fitted after bone growth or for an exchange with another prosthesis, or both. Therefore, this highly undesirable effect caused by peri-implantitis can lead to the total loss of the implant system, and as a result, other surgical procedures such as scraping out the diseased area of the jawbone and refitting the implant system may be required. Furthermore, such removal can result in a reduction in bone mass or otherwise a loss of tissue substance, which in extreme cases can create a situation where a new restoration using another implant is not possible. The need for such a new restoration due to peri-implantitis can occur even after a relatively long time has elapsed since the implant system was first inserted, for example, up to several years or even decades later.

[0038] Bacteria or germs observed in relation to peri-implantitis can, in principle, colonize the interior of implant components, but generally preferentially adhere directly to the surface of dental implants inserted into the jawbone in the contact area with the surrounding tissue or bone material, i.e., particularly in the area of the male thread. In this area, the surface of the dental implant can be equipped with roughened parts, etc., for the purpose of realizing particularly favorable ingrowth into the tissue or bone and assisting in the healing of the dental implant after insertion. However, in such areas of the roughened surface that are actually considered particularly favorable in the implant system, strictly speaking, bacteria or germs can increasingly colonize, and here, due to this roughness, it becomes even more difficult to remove the existing bacteria or germs.

[0039] Therefore, there is an urgent need for appropriate countermeasures that can effectively address the center of inflammation while maintaining the already positioned implant system so that healthy tissue or healthy bone mass can be reformed again in the area around the male thread, and can kill and / or remove invading bacteria in impending peri-implantitis or existing peri-implantitis. In addition to targeting and killing bacteria or germs in the lesion area, it is also desirable to remove residues or fragments of those substances from the lesion area with high reliability so that the lesion area can be refilled with healthy tissue or healthy bone mass as a result and a tight connection can be established between the outer surface of the dental implant and the surrounding tissue or surrounding bone material. In addition, the biofilm formed by the coating of bacteria, including the organic residues of dead bacteria, should also be removed with high reliability.

[0040] To enable this, a treatment concept for cleaning components contaminated by biofilms, specifically implant parts etc., is known from published documents, WO 2014 / 075755, WO 2014 / 122187, WO 2014 / 122188, WO 2016 / 023998 and WO 2021 / 018871, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference, where the contaminated surface of the implant is contacted with an electrolytic cleaning solution and subjected to a current flow. This combination of appropriately selected electrolytic solution and current flow serves, inter alia, to generate bubbles directly on the implant surface, blowing away any biofilm to which the bubbles adhere and thus assisting in cleaning the surface. By continuously supplying the electrolytic solution, the dirt in the area (pocket) to be cleaned is washed away and dissolved calculus is removed.

[0041] However, unlike the published documents mentioned above, it is not primarily intended for the treatment of already developed peri-implantitis or tissue inflammation, nor is it aimed at that, but rather as part of a standardized preliminary treatment, it is intended for and aimed at a prophylactic treatment that will prevent the onset, further spread and diffusion of inflammation. This can, for example, prevent existing mucositis from progressing to peri-implantitis.

[0042] The use of the treatment system 1 provided for this purpose is schematically shown in FIG. 1. This shows a dental implant 2 implanted in the jawbone of a patient's mouth. For clarity, FIG. 1 shows a so-called dental pocket 8 adjacent to the dental implant 2 in the region of the male thread 4 of the dental implant 2 and in the jawbone 6, which dental pocket 8 typically forms a gradually widening gap between the dentin or jawbone 6 and the surrounding soft tissue 10. Bacteria preferentially accumulate in such pockets 8, which can later cause inflammation, in the form of periodontitis in the case of healthy teeth and in the form of peri-implantitis as mentioned above in the case of the inserted dental implant 2.

[0043] Treatment system 1 is intended to counteract this in the form of disease prevention already at an early stage, i.e., when bacteria penetrate or a biofilm begins to form or has already spread. With regard to its mode of operation, this is designed in accordance with the concepts of the published literature mentioned above: on the one hand, this is designed to clearly kill bacteria or germs present in the insertion area of dental implant 2 by selectively supplying a bactericidal cleaning agent or disinfectant adapted to the human body. On the other hand, this is designed to detach any residues or fragments of bacteria and / or germs adhering to the surface of dental implant 2 from the outer surface of dental implant 2, particularly in the area of male thread 4, by applying an appropriate current or overcurrent, so that, as a result, the bacteria and / or residues or fragments of bacteria can then be flushed away.

[0044] Treatment system 1 is designed as a mobile system in a first embodiment that is considered to be inventive independently with regard to the design of the system and the intended method steps of the treatment method, as schematically shown in FIG. 2. System 1 comprises a handle 12 equipped with appropriate reservoirs and storage elements related to the intended mode of operation, i.e., related to the application of current pulses to dental implant 2 within the area of dental pocket 8, and also an appropriately selected electrolytic cleaning solution. For this purpose, an appropriate battery 14 (or any other appropriate current or voltage source) on the one hand and a reservoir 16 for the cleaning electrolytic solution on the other hand are integrated into handle 12. Storage container 16 is designed as an exchangeable storage container 16, so that storage container 16 can be easily refilled after its contents have been used up. Specifically, storage container 16 can be designed in the form of an ampoule for the agent, where the connection on the medium side can be implemented via a luer connection using an established filling and connection concept.

[0045] In the example shown, the handle 12 is likewise electrically connected to the transition piece 18 on the medium side. These components, which can also be designed as a single functional part in principle, form reusable components that can in principle be used in a number of treatments, for example as part of standardized preventive measures for a number of patients. In order to enable the actual treatment, in this example of the design, an actual application nozzle, referred to as the treatment head 20, is connected thereto. In view of hygienic and care considerations, the treatment head 20 is designed for single use only and is thus a disposable product. The treatment head 20 is equipped with a number of electrical connections and medium connections, so that as a result, both the conductor elements and the medium channels of the treatment head 20 can be connected to the corresponding electrical supply lines and medium supply lines 22, 24 within the handle 12 and within the transition piece 18.

[0046] The treatment head 20, also referred to as a nozzle, which is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 3 and in a longitudinal sectional view in FIG. 4, has a base body 30 that extends longitudinally from the connection side 26 towards the treatment free end 28. Here, a number of medium channels 32 and a number of conductor elements 34, 36 for supplying the cleaning electrolyte from the connection side 26 towards the treatment end 28 are integrated. The treatment head 20 is specifically designed in a particularly simple manner for the intended use in preventive treatment, that is, for the electrical contact of the dental implant 2 and the application of the targeted cleaning electrolyte into the dental pocket 8. In particular, the fact that the operator should accurately contact the implant 2 despite the very limited space is taken into account. To enable this, the spatial shape of the base body 30 is appropriately selected taking into account the fact that the dental pocket 8 is usually formed in the form of a gap extending along the tooth surface or the implant surface.

[0047] To take this into account, according to one aspect of the present invention, the treatment head 20 is designed as an essentially planar component in the form of a planar spatial body. Thus, the treatment head 20 or the base body 30 forming the treatment head 20 is designed as a body that essentially extends along the bottom surface or the base plane, and the thickness of this body as seen in cross-section remains significantly smaller than its lateral extension range at the bottom surface. In the present application, this means that, for example, by aligning the bottom surface of the base body 30 to be essentially parallel to the outer surface of the implant 2, the free end or the treatment end 28 of the base body 30 can be inserted relatively easily into the tooth pocket 8.

[0048] Furthermore, the base body 30 tapers in the direction of the treatment end 28 in its cross-section. Thus, the free end or the treatment end 28 of the base body 30 essentially has a relatively narrow or tapered planar contour, and as a result, the insertion into the tooth pocket 8 becomes particularly easy. In the illustrated embodiment, this results in the base body 30 having a contour shaped like a triangle in the plan view, as can be seen, for example, from the longitudinal cross-section view according to FIG. 4.

[0049] For the purpose of ensuring with high reliability the direct electrical contact conceptually intended for the dental implant 2 as part of preventive treatment, the base body 30 has an integrated conductor element 34 to which the first electrical polarity is assigned, and the conductor element 34 projects beyond the treatment end 28 formed by the base body 30 as seen in the longitudinal direction. Thus, this conductor element 34 is exposed at the end and can thus be brought into direct contact with the exposed outer surface of the implant 2 within the tooth pocket 8 and can make electrical contact. It is preferable to switch the implant 2 to the cathode, and accordingly, the conductor element 34 is provided for switching at the cathode pole.

[0050] Furthermore, in order to complete the current path provided within the framework of the treatment concept, at least two conductor elements 36, which in the example of this embodiment are exactly two, and which are assigned to a common second electrical polarity, are integrated into the base body 30. These conductor elements 36 form the electrodes opposite to the above-described conductor elements 34 and thus, in the example of this embodiment, are provided for the anode circuit. Thus, by connecting a current source or voltage source provided within the handle 12, the current flow can be adjusted. The conductor elements assigned to the second electrical polarity function to establish a current flow through the supplied cleaning electrolyte such that, in accordance with the concept described in the above-mentioned published document, the basic process can be triggered as a result.

[0051] To ensure this, the treatment head 20 is designed to accurately apply the cleaning electrolyte into the tooth pocket 8 such that, as a result, a desired current path can be created through the cleaning electrolyte. For this purpose, the base body 30 is equipped with a number of outflow openings 40 for the cleaning electrolyte, each of the outflow openings 40 being connected to one of the media channels 32 within an outflow area 38 arranged in the region of the treatment end 28. This enables the electrolyte to be discharged specifically into the region of the treatment end 28 of the treatment head 20 and thus, if necessary, directly into each respective tooth pocket 8.

[0052] In this example, it is considered particularly important that the cleaning electrolyte is applied with high reliability so as to make direct electrical contact with the anode-connected conductor element 36. Thereby, as intended by this concept, a current flow occurs through the conductive cleaning electrolyte, whereby, ultimately, an ion reaction occurs as desired on the surface of the implant 2, and furthermore, bubbles may possibly be generated. To ensure this, the conductor element 36 assigned to the second electrical polarity, which is the anode, is arranged in or on one of the media channels 32 such that the conductor element 36 is wetted by the cleaning electrolyte when the cleaning electrolyte flows through the respective media channel 32.

[0053] Furthermore, a number of outflow openings 40 are arranged and configured in an outflow direction aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis, as can be seen, for example, in the perspective view of FIG. 3. Thereby, it becomes easy to flood the entire spatial region within the tooth pocket 8 around the treatment end of the base body 30 using the cleaning electrolyte.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, the treatment system 1' can also be designed as a stationary system, as shown, for example, in the example of this embodiment according to FIG. 5. This can be intended, in particular, for use in the context of dental treatment, such as a cleaning treatment or a preventive treatment of a disease or even a treatment treatment. The treatment system 1' comprises a central supply unit 52, and an actual treatment head or an application nozzle 56 as an actual treatment element, which is designed for single use only and thus designed as a disposable product in relation to hygiene and care considerations, is connected to the central supply unit 52 via an intermediate handle or handpiece 54.

[0055] Even when the treatment head 20 described above in combination with the mobile treatment system 1 and the application nozzle 56 described in more detail below in combination with the stationary treatment system 1' are described, it goes without saying that in this context, both of these can also be used with each other treatment system 1, 1' having otherwise equal designs, i.e., in the stationary treatment system 1', the above-described treatment head 20 exists instead of the application nozzle 56, and in the mobile treatment system 1, the application nozzle 56 exists instead of the treatment head.

[0056] The application nozzle 56 is connected, via a connecting element, which is in the example of this embodiment a PVC hose or a silicone hose 57 for connection on the medium side, to an electrolyte cartridge or ampoule 58 arranged and configured within the supply unit 52. Further, the application nozzle 56 is connected, via an electrical connection line 60, to a control unit 62 arranged and configured within the supply unit 52. The electrolyte cartridge 58 and the control unit 62 are arranged and configured within a common outer housing 67 of the supply unit 52, together with a backup battery 64 and a pump 66 provided for supplying power to the control unit 62 as required. The application nozzle 56 is equipped with a number of electrical connection parts and medium connection parts, such that as a result, both the conductor element 60 and the medium-side connection hose 57 formed by the PVC / silicone hose can be properly connected.

[0057] The electrolyte ampoule 58 is intended to provide a cleaning electrolyte as disclosed, for example, in published documents, International Publication No. WO 2014 / 075755, International Publication No. WO 2014 / 122187, International Publication No. WO 2014 / 122188, International Publication No. WO 2016 / 023998, and International Publication No. WO 2021 / 018871, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The connection hose 57 that connects the electrolyte ampoule 58 to the application nozzle 56 on the medium side can be blocked via a hose valve 68 arranged and configured within its passage area passing through the outer housing 67, can be controllable via the control unit 62, and the connection hose 57 can start the flow of the electrolyte when opened and can stop the flow of the electrolyte again when closed. According to one aspect of the present invention, the hose valve 68 can specifically be designed as a pinch valve, and the pinch valve deforms a relatively soft hose material by squeezing it until it is completely blocked in the blocking mode for blocking.

[0058] The electrolyte ampoule 58 is designed as a disposable product and thus as an exchangeable storage container, so that the electrolyte ampoule 58 can be discarded after its contents are used up and can be replaced with a new ampoule. Specifically, the electrolyte ampoule 58 can be designed in the form of an ampoule for a medical active ingredient, where the connection on the medium side can be designed via a luer connection using an established filling and connection concept. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrolyte ampoule 58 is designed to have a relatively soft ampoule body in an embodiment considered to be independently inventive, which can be compressed by the user during manual use, for example, for the purpose of metering and dispensing the active ingredient contained therein. According to another aspect considered to be independently inventive, a pressure chamber 70 is arranged inside the outer housing 67. The pressure chamber 70 is connected to a pump 66 designed as an air pump. When the internal pressure in the pressure chamber 70 is sufficiently increased via the pump 66, this overpressure causes the ampoule body to be compressed by utilizing the deformability of the ampoule body, and the active ingredient contained therein is metered and dispensed. In this independently inventive embodiment, an "enclosed" application of the active ingredient is possible, where direct contact with the ampoule body is not required. In particular, in combination with the pinch valve described above, external access and process control via an electrical signal line and thus automation are possible in a particularly simple manner.

[0059] Thus, according to this aspect of the present invention, the electrolyte ampoule 58 is arranged in the pressure chamber 70 for the operation of the system 1. An overpressure of 80 kPa (0.8 bar) to 150 kPa (1.5 bar), preferably 100 kPa (1.0 bar) to 120 kPa (1.2 bar), is generated in the pressure chamber 70 via the pump 66 and maintained as constant as possible. The resulting outflow of the electrolyte is controlled by the hose valve 68. When the hose valve 68 is open, it allows the flow, and the flow is stopped by squeezing the hose. The media flow from the electrolyte ampoule 58 can be appropriately controlled and, if necessary, managed on the one hand by the interaction with the pump 66 and the proper operation of the pump 66, and on the other hand by the interaction with the hose valve 68 and the proper operation of the hose valve 68.

[0060] Furthermore, the electrolyte ampoule 58 can be discharged by squeezing, even if other mechanical systems, pneumatic systems, or hydraulic systems are used.

[0061] Regarding a preferred intended use in the field of dental medicine or disease prevention, the application nozzle 56 shown in perspective view in FIG. 6 is specifically designed for high functionality using a particularly simple design, and as a result, it is possible to produce it in large quantities while limiting the manufacturing cost. For this purpose, the application nozzle 56 has a nozzle body 72 as an essential functional component, where a number of medium channels 76 connected to the application opening 74 are provided on the outlet side for the active substance to be applied, which is specifically an electrolytic solution for cleaning, and a number of conductor elements 78 for generating an intended current flow through the electrolytic solution for cleaning are integrated. This is specifically designed in a particularly simple manner for the intended use in preventive treatment, that is, for the electrical contact of the dental implant 2 and the targeted application of the electrolytic solution for cleaning into the pocket 8. Considering the fact that the operator should be able to accurately contact the implant 2 despite the very narrow space. To enable this, the spatial shape of the nozzle body 72 is appropriately selected taking into account the fact that the pocket 8 is usually formed in the form of a gap extending along the implant surface.

[0062] To take this into account, according to one aspect of the present invention, the design of the application nozzle 56 is provided as a spatial body that is held as being planar as an essentially planar component that extends planar longitudinally from the connection region 80 to the treatment free end 82. Thus, the application nozzle 56 or the nozzle body 72 forming the application nozzle 56 is designed as a body that extends essentially along the bottom surface or base surface, and the thickness of this body as seen in cross-section maintains a state that is significantly smaller than its lateral extension range at the bottom surface. In the present application, this means that, for example, by aligning the bottom surface of the nozzle body 72 to be essentially parallel to the outer surface of the implant 2, the free end or treatment end 82 of the nozzle body 72 can be relatively easily inserted into the tooth pocket 8.

[0063] Furthermore, the nozzle body 72 tapers in the direction of the treatment end 82 in its cross section. Thus, the free end or the treatment end 82 of the nozzle body 72 essentially has a planar contour that is relatively narrow or tapered, and as a result, insertion into the tooth pocket 8 is particularly easy. In the example of this embodiment, this causes the nozzle body 72 to have a contour shaped such that it is at least partially triangular when viewed from above.

[0064] For the purpose of ensuring with high reliability the conceptually intended direct electrical contact of the dental implant 2 in the context of preventive treatment, at least two conductor elements 84, which in the example of this embodiment are exactly two, assigned to a common first electrical polarity are integrated into the nozzle body 72. Furthermore, to complete the current path provided within the framework of the treatment concept, the nozzle body 72 has an integrated conductor element 86 assigned to a second electrical polarity as another one of the conductor elements 78, and the conductor element 86 protrudes beyond the treatment end 82 formed by the nozzle body 72 when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In the example of this embodiment shown in FIG. 6, two further such conductor elements 86 are provided. Thus, these conductor elements 86 are exposed on the end side and can thus be brought into direct contact with the exposed outer surface of the implant 2 within the pocket 8 and can make electrical contact. It is preferred to switch the implant 2 to the cathode, and accordingly, the conductor element 86 is provided for switching at the cathode pole.

[0065] In FIG. 6, only the conductor elements 84 are shown. These form the opposite electrodes with respect to the above-described conductor elements 86 and, thus, in the example of the present embodiment, are provided for the anode circuit. Thus, by connecting a current source or a voltage source provided in the handle 54, the current flow can be adjusted. The conductor elements 84 assigned to the first electrical polarity function to establish a current flow through the supplied cleaning electrolyte so that, according to the concepts described in the above-mentioned document, the basic process can be triggered as a result.

[0066] To ensure this, the application nozzle 56 is designed to accurately and comprehensively apply the cleaning electrolyte into the pocket 8 so that, as a result, the pocket 8 can be flooded as efficiently as possible and thereby a desired flow path can be formed with high reliability through the cleaning electrolyte. For this purpose, the medium channel 76 integrated into the nozzle body 72 provided for supplying the cleaning electrolyte is branched. Here, the medium channel 76 starting from the medium connection 88 is branched at a branch point 90 in the nozzle body 72 into a plurality of channels, and through these plurality of channels, on the outlet side, it is connected to an outflow opening or an application opening 74 arranged in an outflow region 92 provided in the region of the treatment end 82. In the example of the present embodiment, the application openings 74 connected in parallel on the medium side are arranged on both sides and have a lateral outflow direction at the treatment end 82, so that a uniform discharge of the cleaning electrolyte to both sides of the application nozzle 56 becomes possible. Thereby, it becomes possible to discharge the electrolyte in a targeted manner to the entire spatial adjacent portion of the treatment end 82 of the application nozzle 56 and thus directly into each pocket 8 as required. Thus, specifically, it is possible to flood the pocket from the tip side through the treatment end 82 and, laterally, somewhat higher through the outflow opening or the application opening 74 in each case.

[0067] Regarding the desired low-cost design suitable for high components, according to one aspect of the present invention, the nozzle body 72 is designed to be a laminate body as a layered body constructed from a plurality of film pieces 94 so that it can be seen particularly clearly in the cross-sectional view according to FIG. 7. Each medium channel 76 is formed in the film layer 96 of the laminate by a recess made in each laminate film. This design of the coating nozzle 56 or the film composite body or its nozzle body 72 as a laminate enables an appropriate coating nozzle 56 to be provided inexpensively in large quantities with high flexibility in spatial design by relatively simple means.

[0068] The coating nozzle 56 or its nozzle body 22 is formed as a stack of laminates or layers by a number of film pieces 94 that are arranged on top of each other and adhered, welded, or connected by other means to each other at their contact surfaces. The film pieces 94 each have a film thickness d that is about 100 to 250 μm and thus preferably in the range of 50 to 500 μm. Therefore, the coating nozzle 56 or its nozzle body 72 constructed as a laminate of film pieces 94 has an overall thickness D that is about 0.7 to 1.2 mm, that is, preferably in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm, so that as a result, desired insertion into the pocket 8 can be achieved without difficulty.

[0069] The medium channels 76 can be created in each film piece 94 by punching or laser cutting, so that as a result, the coating nozzle 56 can be designed to have high flexibility in its spatial configuration and in the type and number of medium channels by particularly simple means. As can be further seen from the view of FIG. 4, a number of medium channels 76 can be equipped with an integrated spacer 100, so that as a result, relatively planar and relatively wide medium channels 76 can be formed that provide a relatively large flow cross-section.

[0070] According to one aspect of the present invention, the single-component application nozzle 56 shown in FIG. 6 has this configuration as a film layer or composite body or laminate for the entire nozzle body 72 forming the application nozzle 56. In the example of this embodiment, further, the application nozzle is constructed from different film layers 96, 98 with respect to its material selection and parameters, and the central middle film layer 98 of the first film material is covered on both sides by the respective side or outer film layers 96 of another film material. The film layer 98 and the film layer 96 differ in their material properties and are functionally adapted to meet various specifications. In the example of this embodiment, the central film layer 98 is configured to be made of a relatively hard film material, that is, specifically, to have a relatively high Shore hardness or elastic modulus, while the outer film layer 96 tends to be softer. Thus, the central film layer 98 can define the contour or spatial shape of the nozzle body 72 as a support structure, while the relatively soft outer film layer 96 can be designed to have flexibility and deformability, and thus, for example, when contacting the oral mucosa against the nozzle body 72, etc., the risk of damage can be significantly reduced.

[0071] In the embodiment shown, the application nozzle 56 is entirely composed of such a film composite. This construction method becomes clear from the layer-by-layer display of the structure in FIG. 8 and from its enlarged view in FIG. 9.

[0072] The structure of the film layer package is shown as one arrangement in FIG. 5, where starting from the lowermost first film layer 96, another film layer 96, 98 is successively added. Accordingly, FIG. 8a shows the lowermost or first film layer 96 already adapted to fit the desired shape of the nozzle body 72 as viewed from above. Starting from the connection region 80, the width tapers in the direction of the treatment end 82. The film piece 94 already pre-cut in this way at its outer contour is further equipped with an embossed groove 102. In a subsequent step during the construction of the film stack, as shown in FIG. 8b, a conductor wire 106 that curves at its free end 104 is inserted into these grooves, thereby forming the above-mentioned conductor element 86. Thus, the curved end 104 projects forward beyond the base surface formed by the film piece 94, that is, beyond the treatment end 82, as intended for the conductor element 86 in the present design.

[0073] Next, another film piece 94 that also forms the film layer 96 is added on top of and laminated to the lower film layer 96 thus equipped with the lead wire 106. The film stack thus obtained is shown in FIG. 8c. The last-added metal foil layer covers the previously inserted conductor wire 106, so that the conductor element 86 formed thereby is visible only at the end 104 that still projects forward beyond the treatment end 82 in this illustration. Thus, the conductor element functions to contact the implant at the end 104 and is insulated in the remaining regions. The lead wire 106 can be continuously electrically contacted, for example, from a control unit only through the contact opening 107 provided through the entire body of all the metal foil layers 96, 98. The upper film layer 96 is further equipped with an embossed groove 108 on its upper surface. Further, the upper film layer 96 is provided with a receiving groove 110 that is embossed or punched at the connection region 80.

[0074] Next, the conductor wires 112 are inserted into each of the grooves 108 as shown in FIG. 8d. The conductor wires 112 are used to form the conductor elements 84 mentioned above in association with the first polarity. After the conductor wires 112 are attached, the next film layer 98 is added to the resulting layer stack as shown in FIG. 8e. The metal foil layer 98 forms the central metal foil layer 98 and is made of a relatively hard metal foil material, i.e., specifically, a material having a relatively high Shore hardness or elastic modulus, while the other metal foil layers 96 are softer. Thus, the film layer 98 can perform the function of a support layer or a shaping layer, thereby imparting a certain rigidity and mechanical stability to the entire package.

[0075] In FIG. 8e, it can be clearly recognized that the film layer 98 is made of a plurality of parts and is formed by a number of film pieces 94. The metal foil pieces 94 are arranged and configured at a certain distance from each other, leaving an opening 114 therebetween. These openings 114 form the media channels 76 integrated with the nozzle body 72, and the media channels 76 can be designed to have a high degree of freedom because it is possible to process the metal foil (laser, punching). In the example of the embodiment according to FIG. 8e, starting from the provided media connection 88, the media channel 76 branches at the branch point 90 provided in the connection region 80 and is maintained as three subsequent channel sections, one being the central channel section and two being the lateral channel sections, and is maintained up to each outflow opening 74. Thus, a common media connection 88 is connected to the three outflow openings or application openings 74 via the branched media ducts 76 in this way, and thus they are connected in parallel on the media side.

[0076] Furthermore, two of these three parallel-connected channel sections are arranged within the lateral channel sections such that the conductor element 112 will be wetted by the medium flowing within each medium channel 76. Thereby, it becomes possible to establish electrical contact with the medium flowing therethrough via the conductor element 112. So as to be contacted from the surroundings, the conductor element 112 is further induced segment by segment at its end segment 116 through the provided contact holes 118 as can be seen in FIG. 8d. According to one aspect of the present invention, these contact holes 118 are continuously arranged and configured throughout the film stack, so that, for example, connection plugs can be inserted to establish electrical contact with each conductor element 112.

[0077] This contact concept using the contact holes 107, 118 throughout the metal foil stack is also considered to have inventive step independently. The conductor wire 106 integrated into the metal foil stack and extending parallel to its bottom surface can be utilized to achieve a design with a reduced overall height and an overall planar design. However, high-reliability electrical contact can also be achieved by precisely inserting appropriate connection elements such as connection pins into each of the contact holes 107, 118 and bringing the connection elements into intimate surface contact with the conductor segments without damaging the extending conductor segments.

[0078] Specifically, connection pins having a diameter slightly larger than each of the contact holes 107, 118 can be used. When the connection pins are pushed into each of the contact holes 107, 118, each of the contact holes 107, 118 is deformed due to its geometry, and as a result, intimate contact with the connection pins is formed. As described above, the conductor element can be designed as a wire, but preferably can also be designed as a metal foil or other planar element, because the deformability provides particularly useful contact options.

[0079] As an alternative, it is also possible to simply press a contact pin or the like onto a wire or conductor track without the need for an opening or hole in the conductor track for contacting.

[0080] In another step, the connecting tube 120 is inserted into the receiving groove 110 of the lower film layer 96, and the receiving groove 110 is also maintained by the film layer 98 by corresponding recesses 114 between two film pieces 94, thereby forming the media connection part 88 as shown in FIG. 8f. The connecting tube 120 can be formed as a metal tube or a ceramic tube, or alternatively, it can also be formed as a plastic tube or a wound metal foil piece. A tapered metal foil stack is also possible. This is a particularly cost-effective variant because all that is required is for all the film layers to have a tapered end. On the other hand, the media connection or media seal becomes relatively more complex. For optimized sealing, it is also possible to compress the film stack and press a tube or nozzle having a conical connection geometry into the media opening. When the conical nozzle is pressed with an appropriate force, it is possible to obtain a sufficient media seal due to the flexibility (elastic / plastic) of the film stack.

[0081] Next, two other metal foil pieces 96 and the corresponding intervening components are arranged essentially mirror-symmetrically as shown in FIG. 8c, and as a result, the coating nozzle 56 shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. Thus, in the example of this embodiment, the coating nozzle 56 comprises a structure of five metal foil layers 96, 98, where two induction elements 86 are provided symmetrically with respect to the central media channel 76 that extends longitudinally to the treatment end 82. This can be clearly recognized in the enlarged view of the outflow region 92 in FIG. 9.

[0082] The intended design of the application nozzle 56, and specifically the design and configuration of the cavities provided within the layer package or laminate, cavity volume, or media volume can be highly flexible by means of the intended manufacturing process such as laser cutting or punching of the profile for the media channel 76. A polyamide is provided as the base material for the film layers 96, 98 or film pieces 94, although alternatively other suitable film materials such as PP or PE or even combinations of different film materials may be considered suitable. As an alternative to using the film pieces 94 shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 having a pre-punched outer contour, it is also possible to perform only internal punching and embossing beforehand and only external shaping after lamination.

[0083] In this example, it is considered particularly important that the cleaning electrolyte be applied with high reliability in direct electrical contact with the anode-connected conductor element 84 formed by the conductor wire 112. Thereby, as intended in this concept, a current flow occurs through the conductive cleaning electrolyte, which ultimately causes an ionic reaction on the surface of the implant 2 as desired, and possibly also the generation of bubbles. To ensure this, the conductor element 84 assigned to the second electrical polarity, which is the anode, is arranged within or on one of the media channels 76 such that the conductor element 84 is wetted by the cleaning electrolyte when the cleaning electrolyte flows through the respective media channel 76, as described.

[0084] In FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the coating nozzle 56 having its structure as a film layer package is shown in the same arrangement as in FIG. 8, where again starting from the first and bottommost film 96, another film layer 96, 98 is added in sequence. This variant, which is equal to the embodiment according to FIG. 8 in other respects, differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 8 in the design of the conductor element 84 that is provided as an anode and is wetted by the cleaning electrolyte during operation. Different from the conductor element 84 shown in FIGS. 8c, 8d, these conductor wires 112 are, in the example of the embodiment according to FIG. 10, applied, as is particularly clear from FIG. 10c, by being deposited (such as sputtering deposition, galvanic deposition, etc.) on the underlying film layer 96, preferably designed as a metal coating 120 made of gold or platinum.

[0085] The conductor element 84 formed by such a metal coating 120 has the particular advantage that it can be externally shaped (contour) and formed to have particularly high flexibility. Specifically, its surface contour can be adapted to match the projection of each media channel 76 on the metal foil layer 96. By doing so, a particularly large contact surface of each media channel 76, that is, substantially the entire base surface, is made available for electrical contact with the cleaning electrolyte flowing within the media channel 76 while saving materials. Specifically, the distance between the conductor element 84 and the coating opening 74 can be varied and can be adjusted very easily as needed, for example, for further product development or adjustment. In a particularly advantageous embodiment considered to be independently inventive, the conductor element 84 is applied by a printing process, preferably a screen printing process. According to one aspect of the invention, the conductor element 84 can be made using a suitable screen printing paste, for example, based on titanium, as an addition to potentially another conductive track. The conductor track preferably contains silver, gold, or titanium as the base material.

[0086] In another aspect considered to have independent inventiveness, an insulator or other functional structure provided between the conductor tracks can also be applied by a printing process, preferably a screen printing process. Generally, according to another aspect having independent inventiveness, further, some or all of the conductor tracks can be formed from silver as the base material, where these conductor tracks can be equipped with a protective carbon coating for protection against corrosion as a result of contact with the electrolyte and / or against mechanical damage according to an aspect of the present invention. Specifically, such a carbon coating can be overprinted on such silver conductor tracks.

[0087] Another alternative embodiment of the coating nozzle 56' considered to have independent inventiveness is shown in perspective view in FIG. 8 and in the same arrangement as FIG. 5 in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the coating nozzle 56' is also designed as a film layer package, the structure of which is shown as one arrangement in FIG. 9, and also starts here from the first and lowermost film layer 96. Alternatively, the conductor element 126 (preferably made of titanium, gold, or platinum) is shown separately in FIG. 9b for better illustration. This conductor element 126 is firmly fixed under the metal foil layer 96 of FIG. 9c and is shown separately in FIG. 9b for the sake of simplicity of understanding and for illustration. In the example of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the coating nozzle 56' is designed in the same way as the deformed form shown in FIG. 7, and each of the conductor elements 84 that are anodes is formed by a metal coating.

[0088] FIG. 9a shows the lowermost film layer or first film layer 96 that has already been adapted to fit the desired shape of the nozzle body 72 as viewed from above. In this embodiment, the film piece 94 that has already been pre-cut in this way at its outer contour is equipped with an embossed central groove 122. This groove 122 may be embossed during the lamination process. In a subsequent step during the construction of the film stack, as shown in FIG. 9b, the tongue element 124 is inserted into this groove to form the conductor element 86' that is the cathode, and the free end 104 of the conductor element 86' protrudes forward beyond the base surface of the film layer 96 formed by the film piece 94, that is, beyond the treatment end 82, in the same way as is realized for the conductor element 86' according to this design.

[0089] Similar to the above-described example, in the case of the application nozzle 56' as well, then, another metal foil layer 96 is added to and laminated on the lower metal foil layer 96 that is thus equipped with the conductor element 86' together with the metal foil layer 96. As in the example shown in FIG. 7, a conductor element 84 that is an anode in the form of a metal coating 120 (FIG. 9c) is added to the metal foil layer 96, and a tongue element 126 is fixed under the metal foil layer 96. As a result, the lower side and the upper side of the metal foil layer 96 in FIG. 9c are preferably coated with conductive layers of titanium, gold, and / or platinum. Then, the next metal foil layer 98 formed from a plurality of metal foil pieces 94 is added to the formed layer package (FIG. 9d). The metal foil layer 98 forms a central metal foil layer 98 in the same way as the above-described modified form, and is formed around the outer periphery of at least one or a plurality of the film pieces 94 that form the central metal foil layer 98, and is preferably formed from a harder metal foil material, that is, specifically, a metal foil material having a relatively high Shore hardness or elastic modulus. However, it is also possible for all the film layers to be made of the same material.

[0090] Furthermore, in FIG. 9d, metal foil pieces 94 having separated routes can be recognized, and these metal foil pieces 94 having separated routes leave an opening 114 therebetween, thereby forming a media channel 76 integrated with the nozzle body 72. The metal coating 120 is disposed within two such laterally formed media channels that are connected in parallel on the media side, such that the metal coating 120 is wetted by the media flowing within each media channel 76. In another step, the connecting tube 120 is inserted into the receiving groove 110 of the lower film layer 96, and the connecting tube 120 is provided to form the media connection portion 88 (FIG. 9d) even in this deformed state. Then, as can be seen in FIG. 9d, another film layer 96 and the corresponding intervening components visible in FIG. 9b are further disposed here substantially in mirror symmetry. Similar to FIG. 9c, the film layer 96 of FIG. 9e is preferably equipped with conductor layers that form two electrodes on both sides. Then, the last film layer 96 is added and fixed (preferably laminated on top), resulting in the application nozzle 56' shown in FIG. 8.

[0091] Special features of this embodiment of the application nozzle 56', which are considered to have independent inventiveness, can be seen within the configuration of the conductor element 86' which is the cathode. As mentioned above, the conductor element 86' is fixed on the film layer 96 and forms a tongue element 124 together with the film layer 96. Outside the tongue element 124, that is, in the perspective view shown in FIG. 8, contact electrodes 126 designed as the metal coating 120 are added on or under each protruding free end 104 that protrudes beyond the treatment end 82 of the nozzle body 72. By utilizing the design freedom provided by this design of the metal coating 120 as such, this contact electrode 126 can be designed to have a structure according to one aspect of the present invention and can be designed as an element for contact detection of the implant 2.

[0092] Such detection of contact is utilized on the device side to recognize whether the implant 2 is also in safe electrical contact and, consequently, whether treatment can be initiated and carried out with high reliability. In principle, several variants of such contact detection are conceivable. For example, there is also the possibility of capacitance measurement between the conductor element 86 and the implant 2. As soon as the implant 2 is contacted by the electrode 86, the capacitance between the two conductor elements 84 and 86 changes measurably.

[0093] As an alternative, a voltage can be applied inside the pocket 8 after the electrolyte has flowed through the pocket 8. This generates a current flow. As soon as the implant 2 is contacted, the surface area of the electrode increases significantly, so that the current increases while the voltage remains constant. This can be measured and utilized.

[0094] Another possibility is to measure the voltage. As soon as the application nozzles 56, 56' are inserted into the pocket 8 and flooded with the electrolyte, a galvanic element is formed from the conductor elements 84 and 86 (anode and cathode). Preferably, the conductor element 86 is connected to the cathode and is made of titanium or a titanium alloy, like the implant 2 itself, and the conductor element 84 is connected to the anode and is preferably made of gold or platinum, or is made of a metal that is coated with gold or platinum, preferably titanium or a titanium alloy. Due to the contact of the implant 2, the area of the electrode in contact with the implant 2 increases significantly. Furthermore, this changes the voltage of the galvanic element or the maximum output current that is possible. This can be measured and evaluated accordingly.

[0095] Implant contact can also be carried out via impedance measurement between two electrodes. In this case, the impedance of the electrode also changes when the implant 2 is electrically contacted.

[0096] Another possibility is to add one or more auxiliary electrodes to one of the methods mentioned above, and the one or more auxiliary electrodes are exclusively used for implant recognition measurement using one of the measurement techniques already mentioned.

[0097] However, in a method considered to have independent inventiveness, implant recognition is realized by a conductor element 86', which is preferably a cathode, that contacts the implant 2 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, as shown in the enlarged plan view of the worn state in FIG. 10, and in FIG. 11, without having the metal foil layer 96 that is partially insulated at the end of FIG. 10, the external contact electrode 126 is designed as a structured conductor element.

[0098] The metal coating 120 forming the contact electrode 126 is divided into at least two conductor elements 128, 130 (two in the example of this embodiment) that are arranged adjacent to each other on the tongue element 124. The conductor elements 128, 130 can be contacted separately and independently of each other. Implant detection becomes possible by checking for a short circuit between these conductor elements 128, 130. When the implant 2 contacts both conductor elements 128, 130 and thus a highly reliable contact is established between the contact electrode 126 and the implant surface, the conductor elements 128, 130 become short-circuited through the implant 2. This can also be measured and evaluated accordingly.

[0099] In an example of an embodiment shown that is particularly advantageous and considered to have independent inventiveness, the two conductor elements 128, 130 are designed to have a relatively complex structure and have a relatively large number of narrow conductor tracks. In the example of this embodiment, these are comb-shaped and arranged so as to be directly adjacent to each other alternately. This enables particularly effective measurement because a short circuit can thus be formed at a large number of local positions due to implant contact. Specifically, this mainly prevents the implant 2 from contacting only one of the conductor elements 128, 130. In such a case, the implant 2 will actually be contacted and can be safely cleaned, but the electronic evaluation based on the detection of the short circuit will not recognize any implant contact. Therefore, it is preferable to have alternating conductor tracks that are arranged as closely as possible and as narrow as possible and are arranged adjacent to each other. Preferably, the conductor track and / or the free space between the conductor tracks is less than 250 μm, 100 μm, or 60 μm in width.

[0100] Another alternative embodiment of the application nozzle 56'', which is likewise considered to have an independent inventiveness, is shown in perspective view in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the application nozzle 56'' is likewise designed as a film layer package and, similar to the above-described variant form, comprises a structure of five film layers 96, 98. However, different from the above-described variant form, this application nozzle 56'' comprises, in addition to the outflow opening or application opening 74, an additional application opening 132 for laterally arranged electrodes in the region of the treatment end 82 on the nozzle body 72. According to one aspect of the invention, these application openings 132 are arranged above and below the nozzle body 72 with reference to the planar configuration of the nozzle body 72 and thus penetrate the uppermost and lowermost film layers 96, respectively. Accordingly, the media channels 76 extending inside these film layers 96 are further connected to the ambient environment via the application openings 132 on the media side. The implant is preferably cathodically connected to the conductor element 86. Each of the conductor elements 84, which are preferably anodically connected, is located below the application openings 132 provided on both sides. The conductor elements 84 attached to both sides are not electrically connected to each other.

[0101] This embodiment is based on the concept considered to be independently inventive, that the automated detection of the orientation for the application nozzle 56'' introduced into the pocket 8 is thus made possible. For this purpose, the metal coatings 120 arranged and configured on both sides of the central metal foil 98 to form the conductor elements 84 which are anodes can be electrically contacted and can be controlled independently of each other. Since the application nozzle 56'' is designed to be planar in its end treatment area 92, the surface of the application nozzle 56'' is usually positioned to be substantially parallel to the implant surface when the treatment end 82 is inserted into the pocket 8. This means that each of the conductor elements 84 is located on the side of the central metal foil 98 facing the implant 2 or on the side facing away from the implant 2. Due to the application opening 132, the side facing the implant 2 has a relatively short distance to the implant surface compared to the side facing away from the implant 2, so that it is very easy to determine by resistance / conductivity measurement whether the conductor element 84 which is an anode faces the implant 2 or not.

[0102] This can be very advantageous and desirable because it is expected and intended that the implant 2 is energized efficiently and with high reliability. On the other hand, there is also the possibility that it is not desired to accidentally energize the surrounding soft tissue 8, which can lead to damage or even death of the tissue part. To avoid this, exclusive energization and thus exclusive use of the side of the application nozzle 56'' facing the implant 2 can be achieved. Different from the variants from FIGS. 3 to 9, since the energized anode 84 is in direct and very close contact with the implant, even very small currents that could potentially flow through the tissue are minimized to the greatest extent and either do not exist or are almost non-existent.

[0103] Specifically related to its manufacturing method, another alternative embodiment of the coating nozzle 56’’’, which is also considered to have independent inventiveness, is shown in FIG. 16 as a series of steps in its manufacture. This embodiment of the coating nozzle 56’’’ is also based on the principle of film stack construction, where, in the sense of a simplified construction method suitable for large quantities, a number of functional films are used that are appropriately folded at various stages.

[0104] In this variant, the media channel film 140 shown in FIG. 16a is provided as a central functional film that will form the central film of the film layer package in the finished coating nozzle 56'''. Similar to the above-described embodiments, this comprises a number of film pieces 142 designed and arranged to form the media channel 76 and the coating openings 74 that branch from the media channel 76 and are connected to the media channel 76. This central media channel metal foil 140 is either embedded in or encapsulated within the surrounding anode metal foil 144, as shown in FIG. 16b. The anodic metal foil 144, which has been appropriately externally formed and punched, is bent at the folding point 146 around the media channel metal foil 140, such that the media channel metal foil 140 is covered on both sides, thereby hermetically covering the media channel 76. Inside, i.e., not visible in the view according to FIG. 16b, the anode metal foil 144 is equipped with a conductor track layer adapted to fit the "underlying" media channel 76, and this conductor track layer is used to establish electrical contact with the electrolyte induced within the media channel 76 during operation. According to an aspect of the present invention, this anodic conductive path layer 148 can be printed inside the anode metal foil 144, and according to another aspect of the present invention, it comprises a suitably selected conductive material, specifically a metal such as gold or titanium. However, preferably, according to another aspect of the present invention, especially in view of the preferred manufacturing cost when large quantities are involved, the anodic conductor track layer 148 is substantially composed of silver, which, in another development with suitable inventiveness, is equipped with a carbon coating that is preferably further printed thereon in view of the expected contact with the electrolyte.

[0105] Actually, for the purpose of enabling electrical contact with the conductor track layer 148, which is the anode located inside this package design, the anode metal foil 144 is folded in a manner that is independently inventive even in the head region of the formed metal foil stack. According to one aspect of the present invention, the formed metal foil piece forming the anode metal foil 144 has folding wings 150 in its head region (one folding wing is on the "upper side" in the folded state shown in Fig. 16b, and the other is on the "bottom side" not visible in this illustration). These folding wings 150, where the conductor track layer 148, which is the anode, is maintained up to the contact region 152, are folded along the folding edge 154 after the anode metal foil 144 is added to the media channel metal foil 140, and thus will be located on the upper or bottom anode metal foil 144. In the illustration of Fig. 16b, this can be recognized by the lateral edge 156 on the anode metal foil 144 formed by the upper folding wing 150. This design achieves, in a simple and highly cost - efficient manner, the accessibility of the contact region 152, which will be located on the upper and bottom sides of the outer portion of the formed metal foil stack and thus be accessible for electrical contact with the conductor track layer 148, which is the anode.

[0106] Next, in a similar manner, the obtained metal foil package is embedded in or wrapped within the surrounding cathode metal foil 158 as shown in FIG. 16c. The cathode metal foil 158, which has been appropriately externally shaped and punched with the film piece, is bent at the folding point 160 around the packages of the media channel metal foil 140 and the anode metal foil 144, thereby forming the outermost metal foil layer of the metal foil package, which is five layers here, on both sides. On the outside, that is, on the side that is easily accessible for electrical contact, the cathode metal foil 158 is equipped with a conductor track layer 162 that is the cathode. The conductor track layer 162 that is the cathode is further connected to the contact area 164. According to one aspect of the present invention, the cathode metal foil 158 is dimensioned such that after being attached, its edge will abut against the lateral edge 156 of the folding leaf 150 of the fold, resulting in the surface of the obtained metal foil packet being substantially planar.

[0107] In another processing step, as shown in FIG. 16d, according to one aspect of the present invention, the cathode metal foil 158 is insulated on the outside by adding an insulating material suitable as the insulating layer 165. According to one aspect of the present invention, the insulating layer 165 can be further added by a printing process, preferably a screen printing process similar to the above-described process, where this addition is performed before or after the cathode metal foil 158 is added to the anode metal foil 144.

[0108] As a result, a nozzle body 166 shown in FIG. 16d that can be used as the application nozzle 56''' is fabricated after these steps. The treatment end 168 of this nozzle body 166 is shown enlarged in FIG. 17. The layered structure of the film stack forming the nozzle body 166, obtained by folding, can be clearly recognized. Further, no insulating layer 165 is disposed in the end region of the treatment end 168, so that the conductor track layer 162, which is the cathode, is freely accessible in this region. Thus, the conductive path layer 162, which is the cathode and is divided into a number of parallel conductors 170 in this region, can be used in a desired manner to contact the implant.

[0109] The contact head of the nozzle body 166 shown in FIG. 16d that can be used as the application nozzle 56''' is shown enlarged in the side view of FIG. 18. Here, the layered structure of the film stack can also be clearly recognized. Further, as described above, by utilizing the folding design and obtaining a symmetrically structured metal foil stack, contact regions 152 and 164 for the conductive path layer 148, which is the anode, and the conductive path layer 162, which is the cathode, are present at both the top and bottom of the metal foil stack, and thus as a pair. Further, in this embodiment, a free space 172 is provided in the media channel film 140 between the contact regions 152, 164 as a pair in each case, so that, due to the elastic properties of the film, the stack can be elastically deformed towards the inside of the regions of the contact regions 152, 164. Further, in this embodiment, an inlet 174 of the media channel 76 can be recognized, where the media channel 76 can be connected to a suitable media reservoir therethrough.

[0110] According to one aspect of the present invention, an application nozzle 56''' comprising a nozzle body 166 can be used to provide a treatment head 180 by equipping it with a suitable housing 182 in the connection area. The treatment head 180 formed in this way, which is considered to have independent inventiveness, is shown in the partial cross-sectional view in FIG. 19 and the side view in FIG. 20. Thus, in a method considered to have independent inventiveness, the nozzle body 166 is guided into the housing 182 by appropriate overmolding of an elastic material, and preferably by overmolding of a rubber-silicone. Similarly, the fluid inlet, i.e., the connection of the media inlet 174 to the corresponding media reservoir, can be made of an elastic material or can be made by an elastic overmolding. Therefore, in addition to the high tightness of the system, which is convenient in use, it is also possible in a particularly simple manner for the nozzle body 166 itself to be accurately aligned with respect to the handpiece. Similar to the sealed portion of the supply hose, the seal with respect to the handpiece also includes a connection contact, and as a result, it is possible to omit additional sealing elements such as O-rings.

[0111] In an embodiment considered to have independent inventiveness, the treatment end 168 of the nozzle body 166 can be designed for automated contact detection of a component to be treated, specifically the dental implant 2, by means of an appropriate conductor route of the conductor track layer 162 which is the cathode. In this embodiment considered to have independent inventiveness, the conductors 170 of the conductor track layer 162 which are cathodes in the region of the treatment end 168', i.e., in the region of the transfer point 160, are not designed to be in continuous contact with each other, but are subdivided into two conductor groups which interlock by being comb-shaped. The conductors 170a of the first conductor group, which are arranged alternately with the conductors 170b of the second conductor group in the region of the transfer point 160, are exclusively connected to one of the external contact regions 164, and the conductors 170b of the second conductor group are exclusively connected to the other contact region 164. Thus, in the "normal" state, there is no conductive connection between the two contact regions 164, and the detection of mechanical and / or electrical contact of the component 2 to be treated can be carried out based on the detection of the conductive connection between the two contact regions 164.

[0112] For the electrical contact of the application nozzle 56''', the spring force of the metal foil stack of the nozzle body 166 is utilized in a targeted manner, which is realized according to an aspect considered to have independent inventiveness. This is based on the recognition that for electrical plug connections, elastic elements are usually provided, and by means of such elastic elements, after mechanical contact is made using the spring force of such elements, electrical contact is established with high reliability. In order to utilize this for the nozzle body 166 in a particularly simple way with high reliability, the spring force of the metal foil stack of the nozzle body 166, which is already basically elastic in itself, is utilized. For this purpose, the free space 172 mentioned above between each pair of contact regions 152, 164 is provided in an inventive manner. To establish an electrical connection in the sense of a plug connection, a contact plug 190 shown in the front perspective view of FIG. 22 and the rear perspective view of FIG. 23 is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the contact plug 190 includes a front contact region 192 provided to establish reliable mechanical and electrical contact with the treatment head 180, and a rear contact region 194 that can be connected to another corresponding system.

[0113] In the front contact region 192, the contact plug 190 is provided on the one hand to form a highly reliable mechanical contact with the treatment end 180. Thus, the contact plug 190 includes jaw-shaped housing halves 196 arranged opposite each other so as to form a vacant gap 198. The vacant gap 198 is dimensioned to correspond to be generally slightly smaller than the total height of the film stack forming the nozzle body 166 within the range of manufacturing tolerances. The aim of this design is to enable the film stack to be inserted into the vacant gap 198 without excessive mechanical stress, thereby being slightly compressed and thus fixed. Thereby, basically, a highly reliable mechanical attachment of the nozzle body 166 in the front contact region of the contact plug becomes possible.

[0114] In addition, the contact plug 190 includes within its front contact region 192 two pairs of electrical contact plugs 200, 202, each electrically connected to an associated rear contact plug 204, 206. The front contact plugs 200, 202 are each provided as a pair to form electrical contact with the contact regions 152, 164. In an embodiment considered to be independently inventive, the elasticity of the metal foils of the metal foil stack forming the nozzle body 166 is utilized in combination with the free space 172 mentioned above to establish highly reliable electrical contact. That is, the free space 172 allows the anode metal foil 144 and the cathode metal foil 158 to deform rearwardly into the free space 172 in this spatial region. Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, each pair of contact plugs 200, 202 is spaced apart and is less than the overall thickness of the metal foil stack and thus less than the width of the empty gap 198. By inserting the metal foil stack into the front contact region 192, the contact plugs 200, 202 are each pushed onto the associated contact regions 152, 164 in a manner considered to be inventive, where the contact regions 152, 164 elastically retreat into the corresponding free space 172 due to their dimensions.

[0115] This design enables achieving spring-like contact as is realized in the normal case of electrical contact within a nozzle body designed as a disposable product, and as a result, the reliability, service life, and wear of other system components can be correspondingly kept low.

Description of the Reference Numerals

[0116] 1, 1' treatment system 2 dental implant 4 male thread 6 jawbone 8 pocket 10 soft tissue 12 handle 14 battery 16 storage container 18 transition piece 20 treatment head Supply lines 22, 24 Connection side 26 Therapeutic head 28 Base body 30 Media channel 32 Conductor elements 34, 36 Emission range 38 Outlet opening 40 Supply unit 52 Handle 54 Coating nozzles 56, 56’, 56’’, 56’’’ PVC hose or silicone hose 57 Electrolyte ampoule 58 Connection cable 60 Control unit 62 Buffer battery 64 Pump 66 Housing 67 Hose valve 68 Pressure chamber 70 Nozzle body 72 Coating opening 74 Media channel 76 Conductor element 78 Connection area 80 Therapeutic end 82 Conductor elements 84, 86 Media connection 88 Branch point 90 Emission range 92 Metal foil piece 94 Metal foil layers 96, 98 Spacer 100 Nut 102 End 104 Conductor wire 106 Contact opening 107 Nut 108 Recording groove 110 Conductor wire 112 Recess 114 End segment 116 Contact hole 118 Metal coating 120 Nut 122 124 Tongue element 126 Contact electrode 128, 130 Conductor elements 132 Coating opening 140 Media channel film 142 Metal foil piece 144 Anode metal foil 146 Fold point 148 Anode track layer 150 Bending frame 152 Contact area 154 Bending edge 156 Side edge 158 Cathode metal foil 160 Fold point 162 Cathode track layer 164 Contact area 165 Insulation layer 166 Nozzle body 168, 168’ Therapeutic end 170, 170a, 170b Conductors 172 Free space 174 Input part 180 Therapeutic head 182 Housing 190 Contact plug 192 Front contact area 194 Rear contact area 196 Housing half 198 Small gap 200, 202 Electrical contact plugs 204, 206 Rear contact plugs d Metal foil thickness D Overall thickness

Claims

1. A coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') for applying a dental active substance into a patient's oral cavity, having a base or nozzle body (30, 72), for a system (1, 1') for cleaning implant parts (2) contaminated with a biofilm, wherein at least one medium channel (32, 76) on one side and a plurality of conductor elements (34, 36, 84, 86) on the other side are integrated, and the base or nozzle body (30, 72) extends planar in the longitudinal direction from a connection region (26, 80) towards a treatment free end (28, 82) and tapers in its cross section in the direction of the treatment end (28, 82).

2. The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1, wherein the conductor elements (34, 84) are arranged in or on one of the medium channels (32, 76) such that the conductor elements (34, 84) are wetted by the cleaning electrolyte when the cleaning electrolyte flows through the respective medium channels (32, 76).

3. The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the medium channels (32, 76) branches within the base or nozzle body (30, 72) and opens into a plurality of coating openings (40, 74) arranged and configured in an outflow region (38, 92) provided within the region of the treatment end (28, 82) on the outlet side.

4. The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1, wherein at least two conductor elements (34, 84) assigned to a common first electrical polarity are integrated within the base or nozzle body (30, 72) of the coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'').

5. The conductor elements (34, 84) assigned to the first electric polarity are arranged in or on one of the medium channels (32, 76) such that the cleaning electrolyte supplied from a common electrolyte ampoule contacts the conductor elements (34, 84) when the cleaning electrolyte flows in the medium channels (32, 76). The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 4.

6. The conductor elements (36, 86) assigned to the second electric polarity project beyond the treatment end (28, 82) formed by the base or nozzle body (30, 72) as viewed in the longitudinal direction. The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1.

7. A plurality of the coating openings (40, 74) are arranged and configured in an outflow direction aligned laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction. The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1.

8. The base or nozzle body (30, 72) of the coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') has a contour shaped to be triangular in a plan view. The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1.

9. The nozzle body (72) of the coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') is designed as a laminate of a plurality of film pieces (94). The coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1.

10. The medium channels (76) in the film layers (96, 98) of the laminate are formed by insertion recesses (114) in the respective layer films. The coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') according to claim 9.

11. The coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') according to claim 9 is equipped with a spacer (100) in which the medium channels (76) of the coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') are integrated. Claim 12 The nozzle body (72) of the coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') is constructed from at least three film layers (96, 98), and a number of film pieces (94) which form a central film layer (98) disposed between two adjacent film layers (96) are formed from a film material harder than the two adjacent film layers (96). The coating nozzle (56, 56', 56'') according to claim 9. Claim 13 The coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to claim 1, designed as a disposable product. Claim 14 A system (1, 1') for cleaning components contaminated with biofilms, in particular implant parts, etc., having a coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a handle (12, 54) equipped with a number of electrical connection parts and media connection parts, wherein both the conductor elements (34, 36, 84, 86) and the media channels (32, 76) of the coating nozzle (20, 56, 56', 56'') can be connected to corresponding electrical supply lines or media supply lines within the handle (12, 54) or in associated transition pieces. Claim 15 The system (1) according to claim 14, wherein a replaceable reservoir (16) for the cleaning electrolyte is disposed within the handle (14) of the system (1).

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