Ultrathin Films For Triclosan Transfer To Metal Medical Devices

A method for reducing a loss of release torque resulting from an antimicrobial treatment of an orthopedic implant system that includes

• an orthopedic implant body defining an outer implant surface, the orthopedic implant body further defining one or more apertures extending from the outer implant surface through the implant body and configured to receive a bone fastener, and
• a bone fastener configured to be disposed within the one or more apertures so as to secure the orthopedic implant body to a bone, the bone fastener defining an outer fastener surface;
• the method comprising:
• applying to one of the apertures, the corresponding outer fastener surface, or both a biodegradable polymer thin film, and,
• incorporating a vaporizable antimicrobial agent into the thin film,
• wherein
• the antimicrobial agent has a surface area concentration and the biodegradable polymer thin film has a surface area coat weight that are sufficient to produce an effective zone of inhibition of at least 0.5 mm from a periphery of the outer implant surface,
• and,
• a torque required for releasing one of the fasteners from a corresponding aperture of the orthopedic implant body following use of an insertion torque that is suitable for implantation of the orthopedic implant body in a subject is not less than about 90% of a torque required for releasing an uncoated and otherwise identical fastener from a corresponding aperture of an uncoated but otherwise identical orthopedic implant body for up to 5 days following implantation of the orthopedic implant body in the subject.