Infection fighting bioresorbable polymer device for medical implants

Abstract

A polymer device configured to be implanted into a subcutaneous pocket to prevent infection, the pocket formed to contain an implantable medical device housing. The polymer device includes a structure made of a bioresorbable polymer, and an antimicrobial agent configured to elute from the structure. The polymer device is configured to cover less than about 20% of the surface area of the implantable medical device housing when implanted into the subcutaneous pocket.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A polymer device configured to be implanted into a subcutaneous pocket to prevent infection, the pocket formed to contain an implantable medical device housing, the polymer device comprising:
 a structure made of a bioresorbable polymer; and   an antimicrobial agent configured to elute from the structure, wherein the polymer device is configured to cover less than about 20% of the surface area of the implantable medical device housing when implanted into the subcutaneous pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The polymer device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has an elongated shape and is configured to fit around a substantial portion of a perimeter of the subcutaneous pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The polymer device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a tubular shape and is configured to fit around at least one of an electrical lead and a catheter, the lead or catheter extending from the implantable medical device housing to a treatment site. 
     
     
         4 . The polymer device of  claim 3 , wherein the tubular shape is formed by wrapping a ribbon of the bioresorbable polymer around the at least one of an electrical lead and a catheter. 
     
     
         5 . The polymer device of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is disposed within the bioresorbable polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The polymer device of  claim 1 , wherein the structure includes a plurality of polymer fibers formed of the bioresorbable polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The polymer device of  claim 6 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is disposed within spaces formed by the polymer fibers. 
     
     
         8 . A method of preventing infection resulting from implanting a medical device, the method comprising:
 installing a polymer device at least substantially within a subcutaneous pocket formed to contain a housing of the medical device, the polymer device including a bioresorbable polymer structure and an antimicrobial agent configured to elute from the polymer structure; and   installing the medical device housing in the subcutaneous pocket such that the polymer device covers less than about 20% of the surface area of the medical device housing.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antimicrobial agent elutes from the polymer structure as the polymer structure is bioresorbed. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer device has a tubular shape and installing the polymer device includes:
 passing at least one electrical lead or at least one catheter through the polymer device; and   connecting the at least one electrical lead or the at least one catheter to the housing of the medical device such that the lead or catheter extends from the implantable medical device housing to a treatment site.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein installing the polymer device further includes:
 adjusting a position of the polymer device along the at least one electrical lead or at least one catheter such that an end of the polymer device is adjacent to or within a blood vessel through which the lead or catheter passes.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer device is formed as a polymer tape, and installing the polymer device includes:
 wrapping at least one electrical lead or at least one catheter with the polymer tape to form a tubular shape around the at least one electrical lead or at least one catheter; and   connecting the at least one electrical lead or the at least one catheter to the housing of the medical device so that the lead or catheter extends from the implantable medical device housing to a treatment site.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer device is installed such that an end of the polymer device is adjacent to or within a blood vessel through which the lead or catheter passes. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein installing the polymer device includes fitting the polymer device around a substantial portion of a perimeter of the subcutaneous pocket. 
     
     
         15 . An implantable medical device comprising:
 a housing containing operational circuitry for providing electro stimulation therapy;   at least one elongate lead connected to the housing and extending from housing to a treatment site; and   a polymer device having a tubular shape and configured to fit around a portion of the at least one elongate lead, the polymer device including:
 a bioresorbable polymer structure; and 
 an antimicrobial agent configured to elute from the structure. 
   
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the tubular shape is formed by wrapping a ribbon of the bioresorbable polymer around the at least one elongate lead. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the structure includes a plurality of polymer fibers formed of the bioresorbable polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device of  claim 17 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is disposed within spaces between the polymer fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is disposed within the bioresorbable polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the implantable medical device further includes a plurality of elongate leads connected to the housing, and the polymer device is configured to fit around a portion of the plurality of elongate leads.