Antimicrobial agent delivery system

Abstract

An antimicrobial agent delivery system and method are provided for an antimicrobial agent-bearing intervention device. A delivery tube contains the intervention device, where the delivery tube facilitates handling of the intervention device. In one example, the intervention device is a rod, and a hub is coupled to the rod. Longitudinal movement of the hub ejects the rod from the delivery tube.

1 . An antimicrobial agent delivery system comprising: 
 an antimicrobial agent-bearing intervention device;    a hub coupled to the intervention device; and    a delivery tube for containing the intervention device, wherein the delivery tube facilitates handling of the intervention device;    wherein longitudinal movement of the hub ejects the intervention device from the delivery tube.    
   
   
       2 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the intervention device is a rod.  
   
   
       3 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube has a longitudinal partition and a hub opening, wherein the hub opening provides external access to the hub, and wherein the longitudinal partition guides the hub longitudinally.  
   
   
       4 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the hub is disposed within the delivery tube, and wherein the delivery system further including an extension arm coupled to the hub and extending through the hub opening.  
   
   
       5 . The delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein the extension arm and the hub have a tapered connection point, and wherein the tapered connection point enables removal of the extension arm from the hub after ejection of the intervention device from the delivery tube.  
   
   
       6 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the intervention device has a flex point and the hub is disposed outside the delivery tube.  
   
   
       7 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal partition is a perforation.  
   
   
       8 . The delivery system of  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal partition is a continuous slit.  
   
   
       9 . The delivery system of  claim 8 , wherein the continuous slit is self-sealing.  
   
   
       10 . The delivery system of  claim 9 , wherein the delivery tube comprises a low durometer thermoplastic polyurethane or polyethylene.  
   
   
       11 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube has a multiple lumen geometry defined by a first tube and a second tube, the intervention device being disposed within the first tube.  
   
   
       12 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the hub has one or more apertures that enable fluid transfer through the hub when the intervention device is installed in a catheter.  
   
   
       13 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further including a plunger for pushing on the hub to eject the intervention device from the delivery tube.  
   
   
       14 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the delivery tube includes at least one of a polyether block amide (PEBA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyester elastomer, ionomer and thermoplastic vulcanizate to provide a relatively high surface texture.  
   
   
       15 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent includes iodine, and wherein the delivery tube has an inner surface that is non-permeable to iodine.  
   
   
       16 . The delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the inner surface of the delivery tube is polyester or a similar material non-permeable to the particular antimicrobial agent.  
   
   
       17 . The delivery system of  claim 1 , further including a valve coupled to an open end of the delivery tube.  
   
   
       18 . A method of fabricating an antimicrobial agent delivery system comprising: 
 coupling a hub to an antimicrobial agent-bearing intervention device;    forming a longitudinal partition and a hub opening in a delivery tube; and    disposing the intervention device within the delivery tube, the hub opening providing external access to the hub.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further including: 
 coupling an external arm to the hub; and    disposing the hub within the delivery tube, the extension arm extending through the hub opening.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the intervention device has a flex point, the method further including disposing the hub outside the delivery tube.