Post-Charging Of Zeolite Doped Plastics With Antimicrobial Metal Ions

Abstract

Methods of post-loading ceramic particles with antimicrobial metal cations are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the post-loaded particles are zeolites, wherein the zeolites have been incorporated into a resin and the combination is used as an implantable device. In certain embodiments, the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer such as polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK). In certain embodiments, the source of antimicrobial activity includes ion-exchangeable cations contained in a zeolite. In certain embodiments, disclosed are methods of imparting antimicrobial activity to devices by controlling the delivery of certain cations through ion-exchange via a zeolite incorporated in the device.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of post-charging ceramic particles with antimicrobial metal cations, comprising incorporating uncharged zeolite particles having a three dimensional skeletal structure into a thermoplastic polymer, thereafter charging said zeolite particles with one or more metal cations, and establishing the rate of release of said one or more metal ions from said zeolite particles in the thermoplastic polymer; wherein the amount of said uncharged zeolite particles incorporated into said thermoplastic polymer, and the amount of said one or more metal cations charged to said zeolite particles, are effective to achieve antimicrobial activity when said thermoplastic polymer is implanted in the body of a patient and contacts bodily tissue or fluid to release said one or more metal cations from said thermoplastic polymer via ion-exchange. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said one or more metal cations are selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc and copper. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising forming said zeolite particles and thermoplastic polymer into an implant having a surface which contacts body tissue or fluid when implanted, and wherein at least some of said zeolite particles are present at said surface and capable of releasing said metal cations in an antimicrobially effective amount. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said metal cations are present at a level less than the ion-exchange capacity of the zeolite particles. 
     
     
         18 . A method of imparting antimicrobial activity to a device by controlling the release of antimicrobial cations from said device through ion-exchange, comprising incorporating zeolite particles having a three dimensional skeletal structure into a thermoplastic polymer, subsequently charging said zeolite particles with one or more metal cations, and establishing the rate of release of said one or more metal ions from said zeolite particles in the thermoplastic polymer; wherein the amount of said uncharged zeolite particles incorporated into said thermoplastic polymer, and the amount of said one or more metal cations charged to said zeolite particles, are effective to achieve antimicrobial activity when said thermoplastic polymer is implanted in the body of a patient and contacts bodily tissue or fluid to release said one or more metal cations from said thermoplastic polymer via ion-exchange. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said metal cations comprise silver. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said thermoplastic polymer comprises PEEK. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said thermoplastic polymer comprises PEEK. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said PEEK is carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said PEEK is carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said thermoplastic polymer comprises PEEK that has a porosity between 50% and 85% by volume of said PEEK. 
     
     
         25 . A method of forming an implant which comprises zeolite particles with antimicrobial metal cations, said implant having a surface, said method comprising:
 a. incorporating uncharged zeolite particles having a three dimensional skeletal structure into a thermoplastic polymer such that at least some of said zeolite particles are present at said implant surface;   b. forming said zeolite particles and thermoplastic polymer into an implant having a surface which contacts body tissue or fluid when implanted into a living body;   c. providing an infusion solution comprising antimicrobial metal cation salt and nitric acid;   d. exposing said implant to said infusion solution to load said zeolite particles with said antimicrobial metal cation and to etch said implant surface with said acid; and   establishing the rate of release of said one or more metal ions from said zeolite particles in the thermoplastic polymer; wherein said zeolite particles at said implant surface are capable of releasing said metal cations in an antimicrobially effective amount when said surface contacts said body tissue or fluid.