Medical devices having an electrically conductive hydrogel coating
First Claim
1. A medical device for location partially within a patient'"'"'s body for a period of at least the order of a day, said device comprising an electrode connectable with an electrical circuit operable to generate by way of said electrode an electric field acting in use of the device to inhibit bacterial attachment and colonization on and adjacent to the device/body interface, said electrode comprising a hydrogel coating to define said interface, said hydrogel coating being loaded with a salt to ensure conductivity with substantially predictable electrical properties, said hydrogel coating being dehydrated prior to use and requiring rehydration as a preliminary to use.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A medical device, such as a catheter (10), for location at least partially within a patient'"'"'s body for a period of at least the order of a day, includes an electrode (11) connected in an electrical circuit (11,12,13) operable to generate by way of the electrode an electric field to inhibit bacterial attachment and colonization on and adjacent to the device/body interface, and the electrode includes an electrically conductive hydrogel coating (11) to define the device/body interface. The coating can be loaded with a salt to ensure conductivity and pH material to stabilize the surrounding hydrogen ion concentration in use of the device.
17 Citations
8 Claims
- 1. A medical device for location partially within a patient'"'"'s body for a period of at least the order of a day, said device comprising an electrode connectable with an electrical circuit operable to generate by way of said electrode an electric field acting in use of the device to inhibit bacterial attachment and colonization on and adjacent to the device/body interface, said electrode comprising a hydrogel coating to define said interface, said hydrogel coating being loaded with a salt to ensure conductivity with substantially predictable electrical properties, said hydrogel coating being dehydrated prior to use and requiring rehydration as a preliminary to use.
Specification