| abstract |
At least part of an antimicrobial catheter for use in humans and lower animals comprises a permeable polymer. The polymer must be in contact with both the environment external to the catheter and with a liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing through the lumen of the catheter, said liquid reservoir comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight-chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms. In use, the antimicrobial agent diffuses from the liquid reservoir through the polymer and provides a zone of microbial inhibition around the external surface of the catheter. The invention thus prevents nosocomial infections resulting from the use of catheters by inhibiting microorganisms at and around the placement site of the catheter when the catheter is inserted into the body of a human or lower animal. |