the invention is based on the surprising finding that antibiotics can form well - adhering , viscous , leather - like layers provided the layers contain small quantities of moisture . humectants with a hygroscopic effect can be used to maintain a residual water content in the layers . this enables the antibiotic - containing layers to remain mechanically stable to a sufficient extent and not to disintegrate . in the scope of the invention , the term “ implants ” shall be understood to mean materials and devices that can be introduced into the inside of the body , at least in part , in the course of a surgical intervention . the implants can contact the bone or other elements of the musculo - skeletal apparatus or be in contact with blood or connective tissue . the implants can , for example , be articular endoprostheses or osteosynthesis materials . in the scope of the invention , the term “ coating ” shall be understood to mean a layer that covers at least one surface of the implant , at least in part . according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention , at least one surface of the implant is covered completely by a coating . the coating contains at least one antibiotic . preferably , the antibiotic is a water - soluble antibiotic . in the scope of the invention , a “ water - soluble antibiotic ” shall be understood to mean an antibiotic whose solubility in water at a temperature of 25 ° c . is at least about 5 g / l , preferably at least about 7 g / l , and even more preferably at least about 10 g / l . the antibiotic can be provided in any form in which the antibiotic has antibiotic efficacy or which enables the release of a compound having an antibiotic effect . therefore , according to embodiments of the invention , the term “ antibiotic ” also encompasses antibiotic salts or antibiotic esters as well as the corresponding hydrated forms of the antibiotic , antibiotic salts or antibiotic esters . according to a preferred embodiment , the antibiotic can be selected from the group consisting of aminoglycoside antibiotics , polypeptide antibiotics , glycopeptides , β - lactams , polyketides , quinolones , and sulfonamides . the aminoglycoside antibiotics include , but are not limited to , amikacin , apramycin , geneticin , gentamicin , kanamycin , netilmicin , neomycin , paromomycin , spectinomycin , streptomycin or tobramycin . according to a particularly preferred embodiment , the aminoglycoside antibiotic is gentamicin or a gentamicin derivative including , but not limited to , gentamicin salts or gentamicin esters . gentamicin sulfate shall be mentioned as an exemplary gentamicin salt . gentamicin sulfate is an inexpensive broad - spectrum antibiotic that has proven its utility in surgery and orthopaedics for decades . pharmacopoeia - compliant gentamicin sulfate is a mixture of the gentamicin homologs , c1a , c1 , c2a , c2b , and c2 . due to the presence of a mixture of multiple gentamicin homologs , this antibiotic does not crystallize . compared to other antibiotics , gentamicin has a special feature in that it can tolerate elevated temperatures for brief periods of time without loss of its antimicrobial efficacy . polypeptide antibiotics that can be used in embodiments of the present invention include , but are not limited to , polymyxins , bacitracin , and tyrothricin . β - lactams that can be used in embodiments of the present invention include , but are not limited to , penicillins , cephalosporins , monobactams , and carbapenems . examples of polyketides that can be used in embodiments of the present invention include , but are not limited to , tetracyclins or macrolide antibiotics , such as , for example , erythromycin . moreover , the coating contains a humectant . the humectant meets the objective of setting a desired residual moisture content for the coating . according to embodiments of the invention , a compound selected from the group consisting of water - soluble polyols , oligoalkylene glycols , and amino acids can be used as the humectant . according to embodiments of the invention , “ polyols ” are understood to be low - molecular compounds that comprise at least two hydroxyl groups . according to embodiments of the invention , the polyols contain at least two carbon atoms . the polyols according to embodiments of the invention preferably comprise 2 - 50 , more preferably 2 - 25 , even more preferably 2 - 15 , particularly preferably 2 - 10 , more particularly preferably 2 - 8 , and in particular 2 - 6carbon atoms . according to embodiments of the invention , the polyols can be linear or cyclic in structure , preferably they are linear in structure . moreover , the polyols can be branched or non - branched , preferably they are non - branched . the polyols according to embodiments of the invention can contain at least two , at least three , at least four or at least five hydroxyl groups . preferably , the polyols comprise 2 - 15 , more preferably 2 - 10 , even more preferably 2 - 7 , particularly preferably 2 - 5 , more particularly preferably 2 - 4 , and in particular 2 or 3 hydroxyl groups . the hydroxyl groups of the polyols can be arranged on one or more carbon atom ( s ). according to a preferred embodiment , each carbon atom of a polyol according to the invention contains at most one hydroxyl group . the hydroxyl group - bearing carbon atoms can be neighboring with respect to each other or separated from each other by at least one , at least two , at least three or at least four carbon atoms . according to a particularly preferred embodiment , each carbon atom of the polyol according to the invention bears one hydroxyl group . the hydroxyl groups of the polyols according to embodiments of the invention are preferably independent functional groups . accordingly , the carbon atoms bearing the at least one hydroxyl group comprise no other bonds to hetero atoms , such as , for example , oxygen atoms , nitrogen atoms or sulfur atoms , aside from the bonds to the oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl groups . preferably , said hydroxyl groups are therefore not part of other functional groups such as , for example , carbonic acid groups . however , according to embodiments of the invention , the polyols can comprise , on carbon atoms bearing at least one hydroxyl group , a bond to a neighboring carbon atom that is a component of a functional group , for example a carbonic acid group or an ester group , or comprises a bond to a functional group or a hetero atom . the polyols according to embodiments of the invention can be low - molecular . in the scope of the invention , the polyols are low - molecular if their molecular mass is less than about 5 , 000 g / mol , preferably less than about 3 , 000 g / mol , even more preferably less than about 2 , 000 g / mol , particularly preferably less than about 1 , 000 g / mol , and most particularly preferably less than about 500 g / mol . according to embodiments of the invention , water - soluble polyols are understood to be polyols whose solubility in water at a temperature of 25 ° c . is at least about 5 g / l , preferably at least about 7 g / l , and even more preferably at least about 10g / l . according to a preferred embodiment , the polyols according to the invention are alditols . according to embodiments of the invention , alditols are understood to be non - cyclic polyols represented by formula ( i ) wherein n is an integer . preferably , n is an integer from 1 - 10 , more preferably from 1 - 8 , even more preferably from 1 - 7 , and particularly preferably from 1 - 6 . according to a particularly preferred embodiment , the polyols according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of glycerol , sorbitol , mannitol , glucitol , isomalt , lactite , xylitol , threitol , erythritol , arabitol , 1 , 2 - ethanediol , 1 , 2 - propanediol , and dianhydroglycitol . according to embodiments of the invention , oligoalkylene glycols are understood to mean oligomeric compounds represented by formula ( ii ) wherein r1 and r2 , independent of each other , are a substituted or non - substituted , linear or cyclic , branched or non - branched alkyl residue that preferably comprises 1 - 10 carbon atoms , more preferably 1 - 5 carbon atoms , and most preferably 1 - 3 carbon atoms , and x1 is a structural unit that comprises at least one ether group , but preferably at most 100 ether groups , more preferably at most 25 ether groups , even more preferably at most 20 ether groups , and particularly preferably at most 10 ether groups that are formed by alkyl residues of equal or different structure having preferably 1 - 10 carbon atoms each , more preferably 1 - 5 carbon atoms each , and most preferably 1 - 3 carbon atoms each , which each are connected to each other through an oxygen atom each . the oligoalkylene glycols according to embodiments of the invention have a molecular mass of less than about 5 , 000 g / mol , preferably less than about 3 , 000 g / mol , even more preferably less than about 2 , 000 g / mol , particularly preferably less than about 1 , 000 g / mol , and most preferably less than about 500 g / mol . according to a preferred embodiment , the oligoalkylene glycol is an oligoethylene glycol or an oligopropylene glycol . according to embodiments of the invention , oligoethylene glycols are compounds that are represented by formula ( iii ) wherein m is an integer from 1 - 100 , preferably from 1 - 25 , more preferably from 1 - 20 , even more preferably from 1 - 10 , and particularly preferably from 1 - 5 . wherein 1 is an integer from 1 - 100 , preferably from 1 - 25 , more preferably from 1 - 20 , even more preferably from 1 - 10 , and particularly preferably from 1 - 5 . according to a particularly preferred embodiment , the oligoalkylene glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol , diethylene glycol , triethylene glycol , tetraethylene glycol , propylene glycol , dipropylene glycol , tripropylene glycol , and tetrapropylene glycol . the amino acid can be an essential or a non - essential amino acid . the amino acid can be an aliphatic , aromatic or heterocyclic amino acid , whereby aliphatic amino acids are preferred . preferably , the amino acid has a molar mass in the range of about 75 - 200 g / mol . according to a particularly preferred embodiment , the amino acid is glycine . while not wishing to be bound by theories , it is believed that the effect of the humectants according to embodiments of the invention is that a residual moisture content is retained in the coating of the implant and the antibiotic thus adheres to substrates , preferably metal surfaces , as a viscous , amorphous layer . moreover , some residual moisture being retained can effectively prevent the antibiotics from crystallizing . the water fraction of the coating , relative to the mass of the implant coating , preferably is in the range of about 5 - 30 weight percent and even more preferably in the range of about 7 - 28 weight percent . upon implantation of the implant according to embodiments of the invention , the coating dissolves within a few minutes to hours under the influence of body fluids , such as blood and wound exudations . this ensures that the immediate antibiotic concentration at the site of implantation is high and efficacious . the antibiotic contained in the coating is released right at the boundary between implant and bone tissue or soft tissue and thus effectively protects the implant surface from bacterial colonization . according to embodiments of the invention , the coating of the implant can contain additional components . for example , the coating can comprise at least one more antiseptic or hemostyptic agent . the term , “ antiseptic agent ”, is meant to encompass all antiseptic substances that are common in medicine . in this context , octenidine dihydrochloride , polyhexanide and quaternary ammonium compounds , such as , for example , benzalkonium chloride , are particularly preferred . the term , “ hemostyptic agent ”, shall be understood to mean substances that activate the coagulation of blood . calcium salts , in particular , are preferred as hemostyptic agents . according to a preferred embodiment , the calcium salt is selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride , calcium acetate , and calcium lactate . according to embodiments of the invention , a cover layer can be arranged on the coating of the implant . the cover layer preferably contains biocompatible film - forming agents . film - forming agents are compounds that are capable of forming a film layer on a surface . according to a preferred embodiment , film - forming antibiotic salts , antibiotic esters , antiseptic salts and / or antiseptic esters can be used as film - forming agents . however , other film - forming agents can be used as well , in particular polymeric film - forming agents , such as , for example , methyl cellulose , polyvidone acetate , hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate , carboxymethyl cellulose , polyvinylacetate phthalate , shellac or methacrylic acid esters . the coating of the implant according to an embodiment of the invention preferably contains about 0 . 01 - 80 weight percent of the at least one antibiotic , about 0 . 01 - 80 weight percent of the at least one humectant , about 5 - 30 weight percent of water , and about 0 - 50 weight percent of other components , with respect to the weight of the coating . according to a preferred embodiment , the weight ratio of the at least one antibiotic and the at least one humectant is in the range of about 1 , 000 : 1 to 1 : 1 . the manufacture of the implant according to embodiments of the invention can include the use of a coating solution . the coating solution comprises at least one antibiotic , water , and at least one humectant selected from the group consisting of water - soluble polyols , oligoalkylene glycols , and amino acids . with respect to the at least one antibiotic of the coating solution and the at least one humectant , reference shall be made to the explanations provided above . according to a preferred embodiment , the coating solution contains about 0 . 01 - 40 weight percent of the at least one antibiotic , about 0 . 01 - 40 weight percent of the at least one humectant , about 10 - 99 . 5 weight percent of water , and about 0 - 50 weight percent of other components . the implant according to embodiments of the invention can be manufactured by a variety of routes in view of the present disclosure . according to an embodiment of the invention , the coated implant can be manufactured by first providing the implant to be coated and then heating it to a temperature of at least about 90 ° c ., preferably at least about 100 ° c . subsequently , the coating solution according to an embodiment of the invention can be applied to the heated implant to be coated . in this context , it has proven advantageous to heat the coating solution to a temperature of more than about 40 ° c ., preferably of more than about 50 ° c ., right before application onto the implant . by this means , the water contained in the coating solution evaporates rapidly upon application to the heated substrate . the coating solution can be applied to the implant , for example , through spraying . when the spray mist hits the heated substrate , virtually all of the water evaporates . in the process , the at least one antibiotic and the at least one humectant remain as coating on the implant , whereby the presence of the at least one humectant causes part of the water from the coating solution to be retained in the coating . thus , a horn - like layer is formed on the substrate . if applicable , the coating can be subjected to a process of subsequent drying afterwards . said subsequent drying can be effected in a stream of warm air or in a vacuum . moreover , it is feasible just as well to dry the coating through the action of microwave radiation . during the coating of metallic implants , it is also feasible to perform inductive heating of the implants through the action of alternating magnetic fields in order to dry the coating rapidly . if the coated implant is to be provided with a cover layer , a powdered film - forming agent , for example , powdered antibiotics and / or antiseptics , can be applied to the coating , for example during the drying of the coating , while it is still sticky . the film - forming agent can be applied by spraying or immersing in a bath containing the powdered agent . another option for providing the coated implant with a cover layer is to apply a solution of a film - forming agent , for example , an alcoholic solution of an antibiotic , onto the coated implant . for this purpose , the coated implant is preferably first heated to a temperature of at least about 90 ° c ., more preferably at least about 100 ° c ., and the solution of the film - forming agent is subsequently applied onto the coated implant while the solvent evaporates . the invention is illustrated in more detail through the examples presented in the following , though without limiting the scope of the invention . a total of 20 g gentamicin sulfate ( made by fujian fukang ltd ., china ) and 0 . 1 g glycerol were dissolved in 80 g of water . a clear , weakly yellow solution was thus produced . using a pneumatic spray gun , said solution was then sprayed onto a titanium disc ( 1 . 5 cm diameter ) that had been heated to 120 ° c . earlier . part of the water evaporated and an even , horn - like layer was formed on the titanium disc . the coated titanium disc was dried at 100 ° c . in a drying cabinet until the mass remained constant , and the mass of the coating was determined through gravimetry . the mass of the coating was 1 mg . a total of 20 g gentamicin sulfate ( made by fujian fukang ltd ., china ), 0 . 1 g triethylene glycol ( fluka ), and 0 . 05 g calcium chloride ( fluka ) were dissolved in 80 g of water . a clear , weakly yellow solution was thus produced . using a pneumatic spray gun , said solution was then sprayed onto a titanium disc ( 1 . 5 cm diameter ) that had been heated to 120 ° c . earlier . part of the water evaporated and an even , horn - like layer was formed on the titanium disc . the coated titanium disc was dried at 100 ° c . in a drying cabinet until the mass remained constant , and the mass of the coating was determined through gravimetry . the mass of the coating was 0 . 9 mg . a total of 20 g gentamicin sulfate ( made by fujian fukang ltd ., china ), 0 . 05 g glycerol ( fluka ), and 0 . 05 g benzalkonium chloride were dissolved in 80 g of water . a clear , weakly yellow solution was thus produced . using a pneumatic spray gun , said solution was then sprayed onto a titanium disc ( 1 . 5 cm diameter ) that had been heated to 120 ° c . earlier . part of the water evaporated and an even , horn - like layer was formed on the titanium disc . the coated titanium disc was dried at 100 ° c . in a drying cabinet until the mass remained constant , and the mass of the coating was determined through gravimetry . the mass of the coating was 0 . 9 mg . a total of 20 g gentamicin sulfate ( made by fujian fukang ltd ., china ), 0 . 05 g glycerol ( fluka ), 0 . 05 g benzalkonium chloride , and 0 . 05 g calcium chloride were dissolved in 80 g of water . using a pneumatic spray gun , said solution was then sprayed onto a titanium disc ( 1 . 5 cm diameter ) that had been heated to 120 ° c . earlier . part of the water evaporated and an even , horn - like layer was formed on the titanium disc . the coated titanium disc was dried at 100 ° c . in a drying cabinet until the mass remained constant , and the mass of the coating was determined through gravimetry . the mass of the coating was 1 . 0 mg . a total of 20 g gentamicin sulfate ( made by fujian fukang ltd . china ) and 0 . 05 g glycerol ( fluka ) were dissolved in 80 g of water . a clear , weakly yellow solution was thus produced . using a pneumatic spray gun , said solution was then sprayed onto a titanium disc ( 1 . 5 cm diameter ) that had been heated to 120 ° c . earlier . part of the water evaporated and an even , horn - like layer was formed on the titanium disc . the coated titanium disc was dried at 100 ° c . in a drying cabinet until the mass remained constant , and the mass of the coating was determined through gravimetry . the mass of the coating was 0 . 9 mg . subsequently , the dried , coated titanium disc was heated to 100 ° c . and sprayed with a 4 % methanolic gentamicin palmitate solution . the methanol evaporated in the process and a cover layer made of gentamicin palmitate was formed . after drying until the mass remained constant , the titanium disc thus coated was weighed again . the mass of the cover layer was 1 . 3 mg . it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof . it is understood , therefore , that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed , but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims .
an implant is provided having an antibiotic coating that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture . the antibiotic coating adheres well and in stable manner to the surface of the implant , can be degraded by the body without forming toxic products , prevents the crystallization of the antibiotics in the coating , and ensures a high immediate locally - effective antibiotic concentration at the implant site . a coating solution useful for making the implant and a method for the manufacture of the implant are also described .