US 4,479,795 AGranted

Antimicrobial polymer compositions

AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company

InventorsRobert V. Mustacich, Donald S. Lucas, Roger L. Stone

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Abstract

The present invention relates to medical polymers and devices made therefrom, and is based on the discovery that certain carboxylate antimicrobial agents can be releasably incorporated into permeable polymers. The walls of medical devices such as catheters can be fashioned from such polymers. In use, the antimicrobial agent diffuses from the walls to the surface of the device to form an antimicrobial barrier on the surface of the device and a zone of microbial inhibition on tissue surfaces surrounding the device, thereby effectively supplementing the body's own natural microbial barriers where they have been compromised. The bacterial contamination-resistant carboxylate-plus-polymer compositions herein can be used in the manufacture of a wide variety of medical devices, especially urinary catheters, intravenous catheters, wound dressings, and the like.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method for catheterization of humans and lower animals with lowered risk of nosocomial infection by achieving microbial inhibition at and around the placement site of catheters and the like used in the bodies of humans and lower animals, comprising:

inserting into the body of a human or lower animal in need of such treatment a catheter, or the like, said catheter comprising:
delivery means for transporting liquid materials, said delivery means being in the form of a tube;
at least part of the portion of said tube which contacts the body comprising a toxicologically-acceptable, medical-grade elastomeric polymer, said polymer having releasably incorporated within the polymer matrix a safe and effective amount of one or more free n-alkane monocarboxylic acid antimicrobial agents or salts thereof, having from about 4 to about 10 carbon atoms, said polymer containing from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of a substantially non-antimicrobial proton donor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, ascorbic acid, barbituric acid, and mixtures thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/402,381Filed 27 Jul 1982 · division
Priority: 29 Jun 1979
Granted: 30 Oct 1984
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A61L 29/16
Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. lubricating compositions: biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic…
A01N 37/02
Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing organic compounds containing a carbon atom having three bonds to…:…
A01N 37/06
Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing organic compounds containing a carbon atom having three bonds to…:…
A61L 15/46
Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties: deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of…