| abstract |
Techniques and apparatus are described for applying alternating and/or pulsed, electrical charges to open circuitry incorporated into medical devices intended to be placed into contact with portions of the body. A catheter assembly is described which comprises a catheter tube, an exterior portion of which is circumferentially surrounded by at least two parallel elongated helical conductive elements which may be operably connected to a power source to create a open circuit to induce an antimicrobial effect in the area proximate the exterior conductive elements through oligodynamic activity. In another embodiment, an oligodynamic dressing is described which incorporates open circuitry which is presented to contact a subject wound. |