Biomedical devices containing isothiazolones to control bacteria growth

A biomedical device selected from a skeletal joint replacement, cardiac valve, indwelling catheter, vascular prostheses, vascular access device, cardiac pacemaker, intrauterine device, intraperitoneal device or organ implant prepared from an elastomer having a Tg below 25.degree. C. selected from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber, polypropylene, polyamide or polyurethane having incorporated therein or coated thereon from 0.03 to about 5 percent of an isothiazolone of the formula:

• ##STR2## wherein Y is hydrogen, unsubstituted C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, cyanoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, arylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carbalkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, arylthioalkyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, cycloaminoalkyl, or carbaloxyalkyl, unsubstituted C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, haloalkenyl or unsubstituted alkynyl, haloalkynyl and unsubstituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 cycloalkyl, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl, unsubstituted aralkyl of 6-10 carbon atoms, haloaralkyl, lower alkyl aralkyl, lower alkoxyaralkyl, or unsubstituted aryl of 6-10 carbon atoms, or phenyl, naphthyl, or pyridyl substituted with one or more halo, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylamino, acylamino, lower carbalkoxy, or sulfonyl;
• R is hydrogen, halo, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;
• and R.sup.1 is hydrogen, halo, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl.