MEDICAL DEVICES WITH GERM-REDUCING SURFACES

• US 20070051366A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Draeger Medical Incorporated (FPS Vermögensverwaltung GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Drager Medical AG & Co KG (Dragerwerk AG)
• Inventors: HANSMANN, Hans-Ullrich, SCHNAARS, Henryk, BUNKE, Claus, KULLIK, Gotz, SIEGEL, Erich
• Application Number:
  US11/420,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20070051366A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.270
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/232 layered or coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2400/12 Nanosized materials, e.g. nanofibres, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes; Nanostructured surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/01 specially adapted for anaesthetising A61M16/104, A61M16/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/18 Vaporising devices for anaesthetic preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/11 with means for preventing cross-contamination when used for multiple patients
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 9/00 Composition of chemical substances for use in breathing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 5/14 Paints containing biocides, e.g. fungicides, insecticides or pesticides C09D5/16 takes precedence

Abstract

Silver particles with a size of 1 nm to 500 nm is provided in a matrix material that is used as a surface coating on medical devices or breathing masks for reducing the germ count on same.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising a surface made of a matrix material that contains silver particles with a size of 1 nm to 500 nm.

2. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the silver particles have a size of 5 nm to 100 nm.

3. A medical device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the silver particles have a size of 10 nm to 80 nm.

4. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the matrix material comprises a polymer.

5. A medical device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the polymer is a hydrophilic polymer.

6. A medical device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group comprising polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polyoxyalkylene, polyamide (PA), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), and silicones.

7. A medical device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the polyoxyalkylene is polyoxymethylene (POM).

8. A medical device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the polyamide is selected from the group comprising polyamide-12 (PA-12) and polyamide-6 (PA-6).

9. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the surface material further comprises an inorganic filler.

10. A medical device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the inorganic filler is selected from the group comprising zeolite, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide.

11. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the silver particles are present in the matrix material at a concentration of 1 ppm to 1,000 ppm relative to the total weight of the matrix material.

12. A medical device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the silver particles are present in the matrix material at a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm relative to the total weight of the matrix material.

13. A medical device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said surface is a surface of a respirator component or an anesthesia apparatus component.

14. A medical device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the surface is a surface of a flexible breathing gas tube, of a socket, of a bushing or seal in the respiration system of the respirator and/or anesthesia apparatus, that of a sensor housing and/or flexible tube for the internal measured gas return, that of a Y-piece for the flexible breathing air tube, that of a control element for manual adjustment and/or that of a manual breathing bag, lime container, cable and/or tube duct.

15. A breathing mask comprising a surface made of a material matrix that contains silver particles of a size of 1 nm to 500 nm.

16. A process comprising:

providing a component or part with a surface having a mixture of silver particles with a size of 1 nm to 500 nm and with a matrix material.

17. A process according to claim 16, wherein the surface is provided as a coating.

18. A process according to claim 16, wherein the component or part is a medical device component or part or a breathing mask component or part.

19. A process according to claim 18, wherein the medical device component or part or a breathing mask component is exposed to a patient or medical operator or the environment of the patient or medical operator during use.