Medical devices having antimicrobial coatings thereon

Abstract

The present invention provides a medical device, preferably a contact lens, which comprises an antimicrobial coating including at least one layer of polyquat of formula (I) or (II). The antimicrobial coating on the medical device of the invention has a high antimicrobial efficacy against microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial, a low toxicity, low coefficient of friction, and increased hydrophilicity while maintaining the desired bulk properties such as oxygen permeability and ion permeability of lens material. Such lenses are useful as extended-wear contact lenses. In addition, the invention provides a method for making a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial coating thereon.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of United state provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 332,289 filed Nov. 14, 2001.[0002]The present invention generally relates to a medical device having an antimicrobial coating thereon. In particular, the present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens having an antimicrobial coating that has antimicrobial efficacy and low cytotoxicity as well as other desired properties such as low coefficient of friction, hydrophilicity, and high oxygen permeability and ion permeability. In addition, this invention provides a method for making a medical device having an antimicrobial coating.BACKGROUND[0003]Contact lenses are often exposed to one or more microorganisms during wear, storage and handling. They can provide surfaces onto which the microorganisms can adhere and then proliferate to form a colony. Microbial adherence to and colonization of contact lenses may enable microorganisms to proliferate and to be retained at the o...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Contact lenses are often exposed to one or more microorganisms during wear, storage and handling.

Microbial adherence to and colonization of contact lenses may enable microorganisms to proliferate and to be retained at the ocular surface for prolonged periods and thereby may cause infection or other deleterious effects on the ocular health of the eye in which the lens is used.

There are some disadvantages associated with this approach for making antimicrobial contact lenses.

First, polymeric compositions having antimicrobial properties may not possess all properties desired for contact lenses, especially extended-wear contact lenses, which hinders their practice uses.

Second, antimicrobial compounds may exhibit greatly diminished activity since they may not in contact with microorganisms adhered to the surface of contact lens.

Antimicrobial coatings containing leachable antimicrobial agents may not be able to provide antimicrobial activity over the period of time when used in the area of the human body.

However, antimicrobial compounds in such coatings may exhibit greatly diminished activity when comparing the activity of the unbound corresponding antimicrobial compounds in solution, unless assisted by hydrolytic breakdown of either the bound antimicrobial compounds or the coating itself.

However, such antimicrobial coatings have disadvantages and are unsatisfactory.

The overuse of antibiotics can lead to proliferation of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.

Other coatings may not have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, may produce ocular toxicity or allergic reactions, or may adversely affect lens properties required for ensuring corneal health and for providing the patient with good vision and comfort.

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