Antimicrobial polymeric tubing

• US 20030031728A1
• Filed: 08/09/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dale R. Lewis, Daniel H. Martin, Todd E. Davis
• Original Assignee: Dale R. Lewis, Daniel H. Martin, Todd E. Davis
• Inventors: Martin, Daniel H., Davis, Todd E., Lewis, Dale R.
• Application Number:
  US09/924,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031728A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/618
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/38 Silver; Compounds thereof

Abstract

Antimicrobial polymeric tubing is disclosed comprising a polymer compounded with a silver ion-emitting additive. In a second embodiment, the tubing is coextruded, and the silver ion-emitting additive is compounded only with the polymer located on the interior of the tube.

Claims

1. A tube comprising at least one polymer and at least one additive that sheds silver ions.

2. The tube of claim 1 wherein said additive comprises silver zeolite.

3. The tube of claim 1 wherein said additive comprises silver zinc zeolite.

4. The tube of claim 1 further defined as a catheter.

5. In combination:

a) a fluid dispensing apparatus, and

b) a tube comprising at least one silver-shedding additive.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said silver-shedding additive is further defined as silver zeolite.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said silver-shedding additive is further defined as silver zinc zeolite.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a dental syringe.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a dental handpiece.

10. The combination of claim 5 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a soda fountain.

11. The combination of claim 5 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a refrigerator.

12. In combination:

a) a fluid dispensing apparatus, and

b) a tube comprising;

1) an interior portion comprising a polymer compounded with at least one silver-shedding additive, and

2) an exterior portion comprising a polymer.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said interior portion and exterior portion are coextruded.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said silver-shedding additive comprises silver zeolite.

15. The combination of claim 12 wherein said silver-shedding additive comprises silver zinc zeolite.

16. The combination of claim 12 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a dental syringe.

17. The combination of claim 12 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a dental handpiece.

18. The combination of claim 12 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a soda fountain.

19. The combination of claim 12 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a drinking water dispenser.

20. The combination of claim 12 wherein said fluid dispensing apparatus is defined as a refrigerator.