Endotracheal Tubes and Other Polymer Substrates Including An Anti-Fouling Treatment
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsAli Yahiaoui, Brian J. Cuevas, Anthony Stephen Spencer, Charles Edward Bolian, II, David W. Koenig
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Abstract
Anti-fouling treatments are applied to polymer substrates for preventing bacterial adhesion. The polymer substrate may comprise a medical device, such as a catheter. The treatment generally comprises a polymer layer graft polymerized to the surface of the polymer substrate. An anti-biofilm agent is contained in the polymer layer or applied to the surface. A polymer over-layer is then applied that encapsulates the anti-biofilm agent. The anti-biofilm agent prevents bacterial adhesion through the polymer over-layer.
Claims24
An article including an anti-fouling treatment comprising:
- a polymer substrate having a first surface;
- a hydrogel polymer graft polymerized to the first surface of the polymer substrate, the hydrogel polymer including a top surface positioned opposite the first surface of the polymer substrate;
- an anti-biofilm agent associated with the hydrogel polymer, the anti-biofilm agent being present at the top surface;
- and
- a polymer over-layer positioned on the hydrogel polymer and encapsulating the anti-biofilm agent.
A catheter comprising:
- a tubular structure comprised of a polymer, the tubular structure defining a lumen, the tubular structure including an anti-fouling lining for the lumen, the anti-fouling lining comprising a hydrogel polymer graft polymerized to an interior surface of the tubular structure, the hydrogel polymer including a top surface positioned opposite the interior surface of the polymer substrate;
- an anti-biofilm agent associated with the hydrogel polymer, the anti-biofilm agent being present at the top surface;
- and
- a polymer over-layer positioned on the hydrogel polymer and encapsulating the anti-biofilm agent;
- and
- wherein the anti-fouling treatment defines an exterior surface of the catheter and wherein the anti-biofilm agent is present within the anti-fouling treatment and wherein the anti-biofilm agent is present in an amount effective to inhibit adhesion of bacteria to the exterior surface of the catheter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.