Antimicrobial surgical implants
AssigneeNational Research Development Corporation
InventorsJohn T. Scales, Michael J. Wilkinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Surgical implants, especially endoprosthetic orthopaedic implants and sutures, are rendered antimicrobial by the presence of a bioerodible metallic silver component, especially a surface coating, which provides in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue. Latently bioerodible silver components of an implant can be activated by, for example, abrasion, heating to above about 180.degree. C. or, especially, contact with hydrogen peroxide.
Claims15
An endoprosthetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of a substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant, wherein a bioerodible metallic silver component is deposited to form a surface coating 25 to 500 Angstroms in thickness on said permanent implant structure and provides in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized anti-microbial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue.
A method of rendering antimicrobial an endoprosthetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of a substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant, said method comprising depositing on or in said implant structure coating of bioerodible metallic silver 25 to 500 Angstroms in thickness which will provide in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue.
A method of prophylactic treatment of postoperative infection following endoprosthetic implant surgery, said method comprising selecting an endoprosthetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of a substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant and a latently bioerodible metallic silver component deposited on a permanent implant structure to a thickness of 25 to 500 Angstroms, treating said selected insert to render the metallic silver component thereof bioerodible to provide in vivo sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue, and surgically implanting the thus activated implant in the human or animal body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.