Antimicrobial Releasing Polymers

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to polymers having hydroxyl containing bioactive agents incorporated into the backbone of the polymer or attached thereto by pendant linkages. Hydroxyl containing bioactive agents which may be attached to these polymers include antimicrobial agents such as triclosan. The polymers may be utilized to form medical devices or coatings for such devices. The hydroxyl containing bioactive agent may be released from the polymer upon hydrolysis of the polymeric backbone or pendant linkage in vivo.

1 . A medical device comprising a bioactive polymer comprising at least one hydroxyl containing antimicrobial agent incorporated in a biodegradable polymer backbone, wherein the antimicrobial agent is released as the biodegradable polymer degrades in vivo. 
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable polymer backbone includes at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of glycolide, glycolic acid, lactide, lactic acid, caprolactone, dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, dimethyl trimethylene carbonate, copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the hydroxyl containing antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of p-chloro-m-xylenol, triclosan and alcohols. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a surgical instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a suture. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein the bioactive polymer comprises a coating on the suture. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of burn dressings, wound dressings, hernia patches, medicated dressings, fascial substitutes, gauzes, fabrics, sheets, felts, sponges, bandages, and arterial grafts. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of clips, pins, clamps, screws, plates, and staples. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a fastener selected from the group consisting of hooks, buttons, and snaps. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises an implant selected from the group consisting of bone substitutes, intrauterine devices, draining tubes, vascular implants, anastomosis rings, vertebral discs, artificial skin, catheters, drug delivery devices, adhesives, and sealants. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device comprises a tissue scaffold. 
     
     
         13 . A medical device comprising a bioactive polymer comprising a polymer backbone, at least one hydroxyl containing antimicrobial agent, and a biodegradable linkage attaching the at least one hydroxyl containing antimicrobial agent to the polymer backbone, wherein the hydroxyl containing antimicrobial agent is released from the polymer backbone as the biodegradable linkage degrades in vivo. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer backbone is at least partially formed from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of glycolide, glycolic acid, lactide, lactic acid, caprolactone, dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, dimethyl trimethylene carbonate, copolymers thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer backbone is at least partially formed from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polyamides, fluoropolymers, polyolefins, vinyl polymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the hydroxyl containing antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of p-chloro-m-xylenol, triclosan, and alcohols. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the biodegradable linkage is selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, urethanes, and acetals. 
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device comprises a surgical instrument. 
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device comprises a suture. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the bioactive polymer comprises a coating on the suture. 
     
     
         21 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of burn dressings, wound dressings, hernia patches, medicated dressings, fascial substitutes, gauzes, fabrics, sheets, felts, sponges, bandages, and arterial grafts. 
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of clips, pins, clamps, screws, plates, and staples. 
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device comprises a fastener selected from the group consisting of hooks, buttons, and snaps. 
     
     
         24 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device comprises an implant selected from the group consisting of bone substitutes, intrauterine devices, draining tubes, vascular implants, anastomosis rings, vertebral discs, artificial skin, catheters, drug delivery devices, adhesives, and sealants. 
     
     
         25 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the medical device comprises a tissue scaffold.