Catheter composition and uses thereof

Abstract

A composition useful for removal of fibrin-bound blood clots from a catheter comprises water, a fibrinolytically effective amount of a plasminogen activator, and a preservatively effective amount of a bacteriostatic organic alcohol. The composition does not comprise a chelating agent.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition useful for removal of fibrin-bound blood clots from a catheter comprising water, a fibrinolytically effective amount of a plasminogen activator, and a preservatively effective amount of a bacteriostatic organic alcohol, wherein the composition does not comprise a chelating agent.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the plasminogen activator is a tissue-plasminogen activator or a urokinase.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the plasminogen activator is native-sequence t-PA, native-sequence urokinase, reteplase, or tenecteplase.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein the plasminogen activator is native-sequence t-PA or tenecteplase.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the organic alcohol is benzyl alcohol, isopropanol, or ethanol.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein the organic alcohol is benzyl alcohol.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the fibrinolytically effective amount of plasminogen activator is from about 0.1 to 10 mg/mL and the preservatively effective amount of organic alcohol is from about 0.5 to 1.2% (v/v).  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7  wherein the fibrinolytically effective amount of plasminogen activator is from about 0.3 to 4 mg/mL.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the water containing the alcohol is bacteriostatic water for injection or is bacteriostatic normal saline.  
     
     
         10 . A method for removing fibrin-bound blood clots from a catheter that contains such blood clots comprising contacting the catheter with the composition of  claim 1  for at least about 5 days.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the catheter is contacted with the composition for about 6 to 15 days.  
     
     
         12 . A catheter coated with the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12  that is an indwelling catheter.  
     
     
         14 . A multi-compartment package comprising a compartment comprising a fibrinolytically effective amount of a plasminogen activator, a compartment comprising water containing a preservatively effective amount of a bacteriostatic organic alcohol, wherein neither compartment comprises a chelating agent, and instructions for mixing the contents of both compartments and for using the resulting mixture to remove fibrin-bound blood clots from a catheter that contains such blood clots.  
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the plasminogen activator is a tissue-plasminogen activator or a urokinase.  
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15  wherein the plasminogen activator is native-sequence t-PA, native-sequence urokinase, reteplase, or tenecteplase.  
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 16  wherein the plasminogen activator is native-sequence t-PA or tenecteplase.  
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the organic alcohol is benzyl alcohol, isopropanol, or ethanol.  
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 18  wherein the organic alcohol is benzyl alcohol.  
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the fibrinolytically effective amount of plasminogen activator is from about 0.1 to 10 mg/mL and the preservatively effective amount of organic alcohol is from about 0.5 to 1.2% (v/v).  
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20  wherein the fibrinolytically effective amount of plasminogen activator is from about 0.3 to 4 mg/mL.  
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 14  that is a kit, wherein each compartment is a separate container or the package is a multi-compartment syringe.  
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the water containing the alcohol is bacteriostatic water for injection or is bacteriostatic normal saline.  
     
     
         24 . A multi-compartment package comprising a compartment comprising from about 0.1 to 10 mg/mL of native-sequence t-PA or tenecteplase and a compartment comprising water containing from about 0.5 to 1.2% (v/v) of benzyl alcohol, isopropanol, or ethanol, wherein neither compartment comprises a chelating agent, and instructions for mixing the contents of both compartments and for using the resulting mixture to remove fibrin-bound blood clots from a catheter that contains such blood clots.