Method of coating a transdermal catheter with an antimicrobial agent

Abstract

Systems, methods, and articles for providing an antimicrobial composition to the proximal elements of a trans-dermal catheter and into the lumen of the transdermal catheter are disclosed. In an embodiment, an antimicrobial composition on surface a cap element transfers antimicrobial to the proximal end of the transdermal catheter. The system comprises an elongate member configured for insertion into a lumen of a catheter, the elongate member containing an antimicrobial.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of coating a transdermal catheter with an antimicrobial agent, the method comprising:
 injecting a solution into a transdermal catheter implanted within a patient, the transdermal catheter having a proximal region located outside of the patient and a distal region located at least partially within the patient, the catheter comprising:
 a hub located at a proximal end of the catheter, and 
 an interior channel leading from an opening at the proximal end of the catheter, 
   wherein at least a portion of the interior channel has a tapered interior surface;   clamping a portion of the catheter to substantially prevent a flow of the solution from the proximal region to the distal region, and   inserting an antimicrobial delivery device into the hub, including inserting a tapered member into the hub to substantially seal the proximal end of the catheter,   wherein a water soluble antimicrobial composition dissolves into the solution, and at least a portion of the antimicrobial composition forms a precipitate in the solution and the precipitate is deposited on at least a portion of a wall in the proximal region.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the precipitate is formed through a chemical reaction involving chlorhexidine ions and chlorine ions. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the precipitate possesses antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial delivery device is retained entirely proximal to the clamp after insertion into the hub. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises chlorhexidine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial composition is coated on the antimicrobial delivery device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial delivery device does not extend substantially distal to the hub. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transdermal catheter is a hemodialysis catheter having two hubs, and wherein two antimicrobial devices are installed on the two hubs. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein upon insertion, the antimicrobial delivery device displaces a volume of at least 0.03 mL of the solution out of the hub. 
     
     
         10 . A method of in situ coating the inside of a transdermal catheter hub with an antimicrobial agent, the method comprising:
 injecting a solution into a transdermal catheter implanted within a patient, the transdermal catheter having a proximal region located proximal to a clamp located outside of the patient and a distal region located distal to the clamp, the catheter comprising:
 a hub located at a proximal end of the catheter, and 
 exterior threads on an outer surface of the hub, and 
 an interior channel in the hub leading from an opening at the proximal end of the catheter to a lumen in the catheter, 
   applying the clamp across a portion of the catheter outside of the patient, the clamp substantially preventing a flow of fluids across the clamped portion of the catheter,   inserting an antimicrobial delivery device into the hub, the antimicrobial delivery device comprising an antimicrobial composition,   wherein the antimicrobial composition dissolves into the solution upon insertion of the antimicrobial delivery device into the hub, and at least a portion of the antimicrobial composition forms a precipitate via an ion exchange within the solution and the precipitate subsequently coats at least a portion of a wall of the hub.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the precipitate is formed through a chemical reaction involving chlorhexidine ions and chlorine ions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the precipitate possesses antimicrobial properties. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial composition comprises chlorhexidine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein upon insertion of the antimicrobial delivery device into the hub, the antimicrobial composition does not enter the distal region of the catheter or the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial composition is coated on the antimicrobial delivery device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antimicrobial delivery device is contained entirely proximal to the clamp. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the transdermal catheter is a hemodialysis catheter having two hubs, and wherein two antimicrobial devices are installed on the two hubs. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein upon insertion, the antimicrobial delivery device displaces a volume of at least 0.03 mL of the solution out of the hub. 
     
     
         19 . A method of coating the inside of a transdermal catheter with an antimicrobial agent, the method comprising:
 injecting a solution into a transdermal catheter implanted within a patient, the transdermal catheter having a proximal region located outside of the patient and a distal region located at least partially within a blood vessel of the patient, the catheter comprising:
 a hub located at a proximal end of the catheter, and 
 an interior channel in the hub leading from an opening at the proximal end of the catheter to a lumen in the catheter, 
   applying a clamp across a portion of the catheter outside the patient, the clamp substantially preventing a flow of fluids from the proximal region to the distal region,   inserting an antimicrobial delivery device into the hub, the antimicrobial delivery device comprising an antimicrobial composition, wherein the antimicrobial composition forms a precipitate via ion exchange, and the precipitate coats at least a portion of a wall of the catheter hub.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the precipitate is formed through a chemical reaction involving chlorhexidine ions and chlorine ions.