Triclosan and silver compound containing medical devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to polymeric medical articles comprising combinations of triclosan and silver-containing compounds. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that these agents act synergistically, thereby permitting the use of relatively low levels of both agents. While it had been previously found that triclosan can be particularly useful when used in conjunction with chlorhexidine, it has been further discovered that medical articles having suitable antimicrobial properties may be prepared, according to the present invention, which contain triclosan without chlorhexidine. Such medical articles offer the advantage of preventing or inhibiting infection while avoiding undesirable adverse reactions to chlorhexidine by individuals that may have sensitivity to chlorhexidine.

1 - 31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A method of preparing an anti-infective medical article comprising exposing a polymer-containing medical article, for an effective period of time, to a treatment solution comprising between about 0.1 and 5 percent of a metal compound, between about 0.1 and 20 percent triclosan, and between about 0.5 and 10 percent of a hydrogel.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , where the metal compound is a silver compound.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , where the hydrogel comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.  
     
     
         35 . A method of preparing an anti-infective medical article comprising exposing a polymer-containing medical article, for an effective period of time, to a treatment solution comprising between about 0.1 and 5 percent of a silver compound, between about 0.1 and 20 percent of triclosan, and between about 1 and 5 percent of an anti-inflammatory agent.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , where the anti-inflammatory agent is salicylic acid or a derivative thereof.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , where the treatment solution further comprises an additional antimicrobial agent.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , where the additional antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine, a chlorhexidine salt, gramicidin, polymixin, norfloxacin, sulfamylon, polyhexamethylene biguanide, alexidine, minocycline, iodine benzalkonium chloride and rifampicin.