ANTIMICROBIAL DEVICE AND METHOD Background cf the Inver.fcior, This is a continuation-in-part of prior copending application Serial No. 809,235 filed December 16, 1985. Implanted medical devices which involve catheters, valves, molded parts, etc., and which must reside totally or partially within the human body for relatively long periods of time have historically been plagued with the problem of infection. Examples of this group of devices include hydrocephalus shunts and central venous catheters. Colonization of bacteria on the interior surfaces of the catheter or other part of the device can produce serious patient problems, including the need to remove and/or replace the implanted device and secondary infective conditions.

A considerable amount of attention and study has been directed toward attempting to prevent such colonization by the use of antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics, bound to the surface of the materials employed in such devices. In such attempts the objective has been to produce a sufficient bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal action to prevent colonization.

These prior attempts have utilized a wide variety of antimicrobial agents, methods for their application and adherence to a wide variety of substrate materials, including silicone elastomers, polytetrafluoroethane, polyesters, polyethylene, and latex rubber.

Exemplary of the extensive investigation into this problem by researchers are the following publications, which are incorporated herein by reference.

BAYSTON, R. , and MILNER, R.D.G., "Antimicrobial

Activity of Silicone Rubber Used in Hydrocephalus Shunts, after Impregnation with Antimicrobial Substances" J Clin Pathol 1981, 134:1057-1062. BAYSTON, R. , "Effect of Antibiotic Impregnation on the

Function of Slit Valves Used to Control Hydrocephalus" Z. Kinderchir. Band 31, Heft 4, December 1980, pp 353-359.

HARVEY, R.A. : GRECO, R.S.: "The noncovalent bonding of antibiotics to a polytetrafluoroethylene benzalkoniuπ. graft." Ann Surg 194:642-7, 1981. TROOSKIN, STANLEY A., DONETZ, ANTHONY P.; HARVEY, RICHARD A.; and GRECO, RALPH S. "Prevention of catheter sepsis by antibiotic bonding". Surgery, 1984, pp 547-551. DONETZ, A.P., HARVEY, R.A. GRECO, R.S.: Stability of antibiotics bound to polytetrafluoroethylene with cationic surfactants. J Clin Microbiol 19:1-3 1984. Therefore, prior attempts have unfortunately not produced the optimum results. The major drawback has been and remains, the antimicrobial activity provided by certain surface treatments is relatively short lived. This observation has supported the theory that the agents and methods used provide only a temporary surface bonding of the selected agent to the device.

In addition, it has not been demonstrated that a surface treated device can be successfully sterilized by known methods without deleteriously affecting the antimicrobial agent or its bond to the surface of the material of which the device is made. That is, subsequent sterilization of surface bonded agents tends to shorten the time of antimicrobial activity and, in addition, may produce by-products that are harmful to body tissue.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a method by which antimicrobial agents can be incorporated into a wide variety of commonly used elastomers or the like, so as to provide a relatively longer term of protection against bacterial colonization on the surface of those materials without accompanying harmful side effects.

It is a further objective to provide an article exhibiting the foregoing advantages that is capable of being sterilized before use and still retain those advantages.

Brief Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a medical device made from a polymeric material such as silicone elastomers or

the like capable of being implanted in living tissue, which material has been treated to exhibit persistent antimicrobial activity in use of the device, and is capable of being swelled by penetration of a swelling agent and which has been subjected to such a swelling agent which contains completely dissolved therein at least one or more antimicrobial agen (s) as a solute, the surfaces being contacted by such swelling agent for a sufficient period of time to promote swelling of the matrix of a body of material and thereby permit diffusion and migration of the solution containing the selected antimicrobial agent solute into the intermolecular spaces of the body of material by the action of the swelling agent within the body of material, and the solvent being capable of being removed from the solute in the body of material by evaporation and after removal of the solvent the body of material being capable of returning substantially to its original size and shape with the antimicrobial agent (s) substantially uniformly deposited therein for subsequent continuous migration to and diffusion through the surfaces.

The present invention also provides a method of infusing antimicrobials into the body of implantable medical devices containing a silicone elastomeric body of material and comprising the steps of completely contacting the surfaces of such device with a solution consisting of a swelling agent and at least one antimicrobial agent dissolved therein; maintaining contact between the solution and the surfaces for a sufficient period of time for the solution to completely swell the body of polymeric material and to diffuse the solution into the enlarged intermolecular spaces of the matrix provided by the swelling; evaporating the solvent from the solution to thereby substantially uniformly deposit the antimicrobials within the body of polymeric material while causing the material to return substantially to its original physical shape and condition; rinsing the treated surfaces; and sterilizing the treated body of the material prior to use. The present invention utilizes a swelling agent which (1) is capabe to increasing the intermolecular spaces of

silicone elastomers or other polymeric materials or latex; and (2) which is capable of dissolving selected antimicrobial agents without substantially chemically altering them under conditions and in a manner to permit the infusion of the antibacterial agents selected into the swelled material substantially uniformly and in sufficient amounts to provide for a prolonged significant level of antimicrobial activity when the infused material is subsequently implanted in the body. In vitro tests have shown that the present invention provides effective protection against excessive bacterial challenge in silicone elastomer tubing for at least 28 days during which a nutrient solution is perfused at 37° C through the central lumen of the tubing. Tests have also shown that silicone elastomer treated by the methods of the present invention retain antimicrobial activity after at least 20 months of shelf storage.

Detailed Description of the Invention In general, the medical device of the present invention comprises a body of substantially homogeneous polymeric material such as silicone elastomer or the like. One or more antimicrobial agent (s) are substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the body of polymeric material and provide a substantially uniform molecular dispersion of the antimicrobial agent(s) within the intermolecular spaces of the body of polymeric material. The body of polymeric material and the antimicrobial agents therein effectively provide a solid solution of molecules of polymeric material and molecules of antimicrobial agent(s) having a concentration such as to cause diffusion of the molecules of the antimicrobial agent(s) toward and through the side surfaces of the body of polymeric material, when in use, for sufficient periods of time to provide effective protection against colonization after implant in the human body.

The preferred antimicrobials used in the process of the present invention are the following: 1) rifampin which is a semiεynthetic antibiotic derivative of rifamycin B (specifically, rifampin is the hydrazone,

3- (4-methyl-l-pererazinyl-iminomethyl)-rifamycin SV.); and 2) clindamycin hydrochloride. These preferred agents are preferably used in combination as a solute and together they provide superior penetration and persistent antimicrobial activity in devices treated according to the present invention with a broad spectrum covering most strains of gram positive bacteria causing the majority of infections in medical devices such as a hydrocephalus shunt. The agents may also be used as a colloidal suspension or emulsion

The method of manufacture of the medical device comprises subjecting all surfaces of the body of polymeric material to a solution containing a suitable swelling agent (solvent) , such as hexane, toluene, xylene or preferably chloroform, and the antimicrobial agent (s) (solute) for a sufficient time to enable penetration and swelling of the entire body of polymeric material and substantially homogeneous dispersion of the antimicrobial agent(s) throughout the body of polymeric material within the enlarged intermolecular spaces thereof. The swelling agent is thereafter removed by evaporation to reverse swelling while retaining the antimicrobial agent (ε) in a substantially uniform dispersion in the intermolecular spaces throughout the body of polymeric material so that the molecules of the antimicrobial agent (ε) are essentially in solid εtate εolution with the moleculeε of the body of the polymeric material and will thereafter migrate toward the surfaces of the body of the polymeric material and through the surfaces thereof solely by molecular diffusion. After the swelling agent is removed, the device is suitably sterilized either by ethylene oxide or gamma irradiation or low temperature steam autoclaving, but preferably in an autoclave with the device being subjected to steam heat at a temperature of 250° F and a pressure of 15 psi above atmospheric to obtain the advantageous results hereinafter described.

One objective is that there εhould be enough of the antimicrobial agent (s) to maintain the desired level of activity for the desired length of time. Another objective

iε that there should be insufficient antimicrobial agent(ε) to cauεe toxicity or other deleteriouε effectε to the implant or to itε function or to the recipient. In general, the period of risk for infection reεulting from an operation to implant a device may vary from the moment of implantation to any time during the life of the device after the operation. Thus, it is advantageous to be able to control the amount and the dispersion of the antimicrobial agent(s) within the matrix of the elastomer. In order to obtain the desired results , the material from which the device is made must be such as to retain the antimicrobial agent in a manner which prevents release of an oversupply of the agent while at the same time providing a continuous, effective supply of the agent at the surface of the device for a sufficient length of time. An effective amount of antimicrobial agent(ε) (e.g. 0.1% to 1.0% by weight of each to volume of solvent) is employed dependent upon the size and shape of a particular medical device and upon the kind and wall thicknesses of the selected polymeric material. In the presently preferred embodiments, for a device such aε a εhunt or a catheter, the amount of antimicrobial agent(s) iε preferably about 0.1% to 0.2% by weight of each agent to volume of solvent. It has been unexpectedly discovered that good retention of satiεfactory amounts of the antimicrobial agent (s) can be maintained without adversely affecting antimicrobial activity when the device is sterilized, preferably in an autoclave apparatus, with the body of the polymeric material being subjected to steam heat at a temperature of 250° F and a pressure of 15 psi above atmospheric for approximately 30 minuteε; and this sterilization process, though not others, has a beneficial effect on the diffusion characteristics. The temperature, pressure and time may be varied in accordance with size, shape and other characteristics of the device to achieve complete sterilization.

The infusion treatment used herein is carried out in specially made glass impregnation chambers which conform to the shape of the device which has been selected for

infusion processing, at its maximum swelling. These treatment chambers are designed to accommodate the device to be infused. A sufficient quantity of solution is used to provide contact between the solution and all surfaces of the device.

Charging the Material with Antimicrobial Agent The clean, dry device to be impregnated is submerged in antimicrobial solution and primed so as to expose the interior and exterior surfaces of the device to the solution and to expel all air bubbles. The device is secured in the chamber, because as the silicone rubber device swells in the charging solution, it becomes buoyant and will rise sufficiently to project out of the charging chamber if it is not properly secured. The processing time starts when the tube is fully submerged. The chamber is covered to minimize the evaporation of the solvent from the charging solution during treatment. The duration of the treatment is about 30 minutes to one hour of contact with the solution, although the swelling itself may be substantially completed in approximately 10 minutes. The charging chamber is checked visually during processing to make sure that the device has remained submerged.

At the end of the processing period the device is carefully removed from the chamber allowing the liquid inside the device to drain into the chamber. The swelled silicone rubber is mechanically vulnerable at this stage and tears easily. Therefore, it must be handled gently. After it has been removed from the charging chamber, the treated device is immediately immersed in an ethyl alcohol bath. This rinse reduces the spotting of the antimicrobial material on the outside of the device as it dries, but doeε not εignificantly reduce the level of the antimicrobial activity. The device iε then suspended in a vertical position, and permitted to air dry at room temperature (21° C) . The device iε then allowed to outgaε in thiε position overnight. At room temperature the device will uεually have regained its initial size and shape within 10 minuteε

after removal from the charging chamber.

After outgasεing, the treated device iε briefly washed in running tap water and rinsed in deionized water. It is again air dried for a short period in a warm dry air oven at a temperature not exceeding 200° F. The treated device is then sterilized by sufficient autoclaving at 250°F for 30 min at 15 psi above atmospheric pressure as previously described. It was discovered as a part of the present invention that autoclaving is not only satisfactory but also provides new and unexpected results in that there is better retention of the antimicrobial agent(ε) within the body of polymeric material. After sterilization, the treated device should be stored in the dark at room temper ture. The antimicrobial (s) used to impregnate the device are best prepared in solutions immediately before use. Because of the potential light-senεitive nature of the agent (ε) and the volatile nature of the solvents, great care must be taken not to expose the solutions to direct sunlight or to store them in solution for any prolonged period prior to use. The solutions are discarded immediately after use.

The antimicrobial(s) are stored in a dry form according to the manufacturers' recommendations. Immediately prior to use they are weighed on an analytical balance to give a concentration typically 0.1% or more of each by weight/volume. The solutes are dissolved in an appropriate solvent such as chloroform. Only glasε beakers and glass volumetric flasks are used with the solvent-based solutions. Summary of Benefits and Results

In summary, the device is made of silicone elastomer having a size and shape which can be temporarily expanded to enlarge the normal intermolecular spaces to enable penetration of a treatment solution, including a removable expanding agent and antimicrobial agent(ε) , and which can be subsequently contracted to substantially the normal size and shape and substantially normal molecular structure by removal of the expanding agent, while retaining a substantial quantity of chemically intact antimicrobial

agent(ε) within the εubεtantially normal molecular εtructure.

In use, it is believed that the antimicrobial agent (ε) within the body of polymeric material are released to and through the surfaces by solid state diffusion. Because of the molecular structure of the polymer and the intimate molecular association of the antimicrobial agent (ε) therewith, the diffuεion of these agent (s) occurs at a rate which provides antimicrobial efficacy at the surfaces of the device for a substantial period of time.

Silicone elastomers of varying consistencieε and/or configurationε, when procesεed according to the invention, demonεtrate the ability to (1) absorb antimicrobials into their intermolecular spaces and retain chemically intact antimicrobialε within their intermolecular spaces; (2) release antimicrobials over time through constant diffusion of the antimicrobial to and through their surfaces; (3) retain antimicrobial activity after sterilization; (4) be capable of being sterilized by autoclaving without loss of antimicrobial activity and with enhanced retention of antimicrobials: (5) retain antimicrobial activity over time of storage; (6) provide effective protection against exceεεively high bacterial challenge; and (7) when processed according to the invention and implanted in living tissues, demonstrate no harmful side effects to surrounding tissue (s) and/or organs.

Thus, surgically implanted silicone elastomer devices such as hydrocephalus shunts, when processed according to the invention, will resist bacterial contamination introduced at the time of surgery which can lead to the colonization of the implant and its ultimate failure, removal and replacement; and will provide a longer period of protection against colonization by introduced bacteria due to the conεtant diffusion of antimicrobial to the surfaces of the device.

It iε contemplated that the inventive concepts herein described may be variously otherwise embodied and it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include

alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.