Systems and methods for applying an antimicrobial coating to a medical device

Abstract

Methods for applying an antimicrobial coating to a medical device is disclosed. Generally, the methods comprise providing a medical device, dispensing an antimicrobial coating onto the device, flushing excess coating from the device, and curing the coating onto the device. In one aspect, the coating includes a UV-curable, antimicrobial composition. In this aspect, the medical device can be coated and the coating can be cured with UV light in a manner of seconds. In another aspect, the coating includes an antimicrobial solution that contains an acrylate-type polymer or copolymer. In this aspect, the medical device can be coated and the coating can be heat-cured in a manner of minutes. Both the UV-curable composition and the antimicrobial solution can also include rheological modifiers, as necessary. Additionally, the compositions include one or more antimicrobial agents, which may be selected from a wide array of agents.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 118,988, filed Dec. 1, 2008, entitled “Antimicrobial Compositions and Methods for Medical Product Use;” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to systems and methods for using antimicrobial coatings in various medical applications. One of the major challenges of modern medical treatment is control of infection and the spread of microbial organisms.[0003]One area where this challenge is constantly presented is in infusion therapies of various types. Infusion therapy is one of the most common healthcare procedures. Hospitalized, home care, and other patients receive fluids, pharmaceuticals, and blood products via a vascular access device inserted into the patient's vascular system. Infusion therapy may be used to treat an infection, provide anesthesia or analgesia, provide nutritional su...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention has been developed in response to problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully resolved by currently available systems and methods for applying antimicrobial coatings to medical devices. Thus, the described methods, systems, and compositions are developed to reduce complications (e.g., the occurrence of CRBSIs, damage to medical devices caused by harsh solvents, environmental damage caused by harsh solvents, etc.) by providing improved methods and systems for coating medical devices with an improved antimicrobial coating.

Problems solved by technology

One of the major challenges of modern medical treatment is control of infection and the spread of microbial organisms.

When the septum of a vascular access device fails to operate properly or has inadequate design features, certain complications may occur.

Complications associated with infusion therapy may cause significant morbidity and even mortality.

This may be caused by failure to regularly flush the device, a non-sterile insertion technique, or by pathogens that enter the fluid flow path through either end of the path subsequent to catheter insertion.

When a vascular access device is contaminated, pathogens adhere to the vascular access device, colonize, and form a biofilm.

Because THF can be oxidized very quickly and tends to be very explosive, an expensive explosion-proof coating facility is necessary when THF is used as the solvent.

Harsh solvents, such as THF and DMF, are also highly toxic and environmentally hazardous.

Additionally, the harsh solvents tend to attack most of the polymeric materials (i.e., polyurethane, silicone, polyisoprene, butyl rubber polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, PET, and acrylics) that are used to produce medical devices (e.g., vascular access devices).

Therefore, medical devices that are made with these materials can become distorted and / or form micro-cracks on their surfaces.

Another issue with coatings comprising harsh solvents is that such coatings generally require a relatively long period of time (e.g., about 24 hours) for the solvent to be completely heat evaporated.

Still another issue with coatings comprising a harsh solvent is that such solvents are difficult to apply uniformly across the surface of a medical device.

Accordingly, conventional technologies using harsh solvents have persistent problems with processing and performance.

These technologies, however, are often very tedious, expensive, time consuming, and environmentally hazardous.

In addition, the performance of silver coating medical devices is mediocre at best.

As a result, substantial microbial activity can occur prior to the silver coating even becoming effective.

Furthermore, the silver compound or silver element has an unpleasant color, from dark amber to black.

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