US4615705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antimicrobial surgical implants
Assignee: NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORP
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Filing: 1984-04-24
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Granted: 1986-10-07
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Expires: 2004-04-24
Abstract
Abstract Surgical implants, especially endoprosthetic orthopaedic implants and sutures, are rendered antimicrobial by the presence of a bioerodible metallic silver component, especially a surface coating, which provides in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue. Latently bioerodible silver components of an implant can be activated by, for example, abrasion, heating to above about 180° C. or, especially, contact with hydrogen peroxide.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Scales
- 👤 Michael J. Wilkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30767; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/866; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61L27/54; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/20; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/06166; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30677; A61F2002/30934; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023; A61F2310/00389; A61F2310/00395; A61F2310/00419; A61F2310/0052; A61L2300/00; A61L2300/10; A61L2300/102; A61L2300/104; A61L2300/40; A61L2300/404; A61L2300/60; A61L2300/602; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/70; Y10S977/701; Y10S977/72; Y10S977/722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of prophylactic treatment of post-operative infection following endoprosthetic implant surgery, said method comprising: selecting an endoprosthetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant and a latently bioerodible metallic silver component deposited in or on a permanent implant structure, contacting said selected insert with hydrogen peroxide to render the metallic silver component thereof bioerodible to provide in vivo sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue, subsequently washing the implant free of hydrogen peroxide, and thereafter surgically implanting the thus activated implant in a human or animal body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of prophylactic treatment of post-operative infection following endoprosthetic implant surgery, said method comprising: selecting an endoprosthetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant and a latently bioerodible metallic silver component deposited in or on a permanent implant structure, contacting said selected insert with hydrogen peroxide to render the metallic silver component thereof bioerodible to provide in vivo sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue, subsequently washing the implant free of hydrogen peroxide, and thereafter surgically implanting the thus activated implant in a human or animal body.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of rendering antimicrobial an endoprosethetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of a substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant, and a latently bioerodible metallic silver component deposited in or on the permanent implant structure, said method comprising: contacting said implant with hydrogen peroxide to render said silver component bioerodible to provide in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue and, subsequently washing the implant free of hydrogen peroxide before implanting.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of rendering antimicrobial an endoprosethetic implant comprising a permanent implant structure formed of a substantially bioinert structural material providing permanent mechanical integrity to the implant, and a latently bioerodible metallic silver component deposited in or on the permanent implant structure, said method comprising: contacting said implant with hydrogen peroxide to render said silver component bioerodible to provide in vivo a sustained release of silver ions in a concentration sufficient to provide a localized antimicrobial effect but insufficient to cause significant damage to connective tissue and, subsequently washing the implant free of hydrogen peroxide before implanting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic silver is a silver alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the endoprothetic implant is an artificial joint and the silver component is deposited at a wear surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the silver component is constituted by a surface coating on at least part of the implant structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silver is deposited in or on a substrate of more readily bioerodible material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metallic silver is a silver alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the endoprothetic implant is an artificial joint and the silver component is deposited at a wear surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the silver component is constituted by a surface coating on at least part of the implant structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the silver is deposited in or on a substrate of more readily bioerodible material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-06 | 1990-04-07 | 1990-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-06 | 1994-04-07 | 1994-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-06 | 1998-04-07 | 1998-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |