| abstract |
Catheters including at least one component having a tissue interfacing surface characterized by a substantially nonleaching surface treatment of antimicrobial metal. The component can be a subcutaneous cuff, and the antimicrobial metal can be silver. The process for implanting the silver atoms can include dry coating the tissue interfacing surface of the catheter by way of ion beam assisted deposition. Alternatively, the silver can be introduced into the tissue interfacing surface by ion implantation. |