Antimicrobial Catheter Assemblies and Methods Thereof

Abstract

An antimicrobial catheter assembly can include a non-eluting antimicrobial coating on an internal surface, an external surface, or both the internal surface and the external surface of the catheter assembly. The antimicrobial coating can be a composite of three or more layers including a copper-based layer between an outer corrosion-preventing layer of a corrosion-resistant metal and an inner adhesion promoting layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an antimicrobial catheter assembly, comprising:
 applying a non-eluting antimicrobial coating to an internal surface, an external surface, or both the internal surface and the external surface of the catheter assembly, the antimicrobial coating being a composite of three or more layers including a copper-based layer between an outer corrosion-preventing layer of a corrosion-resistant metal and an inner adhesion promoting layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying the non-eluting antimicrobial coating includes applying the inner adhesion-promoting layer to the internal surface and/or the external surface of the catheter assembly by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, electrodeposition, or electroless deposition. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the inner adhesion-promoting layer includes a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, palladium, and titanium, and wherein the internal surface and/or the external surface of the catheter assembly is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and silicone. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer corrosion-preventing layer of a corrosion-resistant metal includes a metal selected from the group consisting of gold, palladium, and titanium, and wherein applying the non-eluting antimicrobial coating includes applying the outer corrosion-preventing layer to the copper-based layer by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, electrodeposition, or electroless deposition. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the copper-based layer is substantially pure copper, a copper alloy of copper and gold, palladium, zinc, or tin, or a copper matrix composite of copper and tungsten. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial catheter assembly comprises a catheter tube, a catheter hub connected to the catheter tube, and an extension leg attached to the catheter hub, and wherein the internal surface and the external surface of the catheter assembly is along one or more of the catheter tube, the catheter hub, and the extension leg. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the antimicrobial catheter assembly comprises a catheter tube, a bifurcated catheter hub connected to the catheter tube, a pair of extension legs attached to the bifurcated catheter hub, and a pair of Luer connectors connected to the pair of extension legs, and wherein the internal surface and the external surface of the catheter assembly is along one or more of the catheter tube, the bifurcated catheter hub, the pair of extension legs, and the pair of Luer connectors.