Method for Making Medical Devices Having Antimicrobial Coatings Thereon

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for preparing a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating on a medical device, wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating comprises at least one layer of a negatively charged polyionic material having —COOAg groups and/or silver nanoparticles formed by reducing Ag + ions associated with the —COO − groups of the negatively charged polyionic material. In addition, the present invention provides a medical device prepared according to a method of the invention.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A medical device comprising a core material and an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating that is not covalently attached to the medical device and can impart to the medical device an increased hydrophilicity, wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating comprises at least one layer of a negatively charged polyionic material having —COOAg groups and/or silver nanoparticles formed by reducing Ag +  ions associated with the —COO −  groups of the negatively charged polyionic material. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the increased hydrophilicity is characterized by having an averaged contact angle of 80 degrees or less. 
     
     
         21 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating further comprises at least one capping layer of a polyionic material, at least one capping bilayer of two oppositely charged polyionic materials, or at least one capping layer of a charged polymeric material and a non-charged polymeric material that can be non-covalently bonded to the charged polymeric material. 
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing antimicrobial LbL coating comprises at least one layer of a polyquat which exhibits antimicrobial activity. 
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 19 , wherein the negatively charged polyionic material is a linear or branched polyacrylic acid, a polymethacrylic acid, a polyacylic acid or polymethacrylic acid copolymer, a carboxy-terminated polymer of a diamine and a di- or polycarboxylic acid, a maleic or fumaric acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof.