| abstract |
The present invention provides for antimicrobial medical articles prepared by a method comprising treating a surface of the medical article with a solution consisting essentially of one or more solvents and a mixture of chlorhexidine free base and a water-soluble chlorhexidine salt, at a weight/weight ratio of between about 1:1 to about 1:5, wherein the combined concentration of chlorhexidine free base and a water-soluble salt of chlorhexidine is about 2% (w/v) or greater. In alternative embodiments, the antimicrobial medical articles may be treated with a similar solution in which the concentrations of chlorhexidine free base and a water-soluble salt of chlorhexidine are each about 0.20 percent (w/v). Other embodiments include those in which the solvent comprises methanol, or the treatment solution further comprises a silver salt, one or more organic acids, an anti-inflammatory agent, and a hydrogel. |