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Coatings for the controllable release of antimicrobial metal ions

  • US 9,821,094 B2
  • Filed: 08/24/2015
  • Issued: 11/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus that galvanically releases antimicrobial ions, the apparatus comprising:

  • a substrate; and

    a coating on the substrate, the coating comprising a mixture of between about 25% and 75% by volume of an anodic metal and between about 25% to 75% by volume of a cathodic metal co-deposited on the substrate, wherein the coating comprises a plurality of microregions or microdomains of anodic metal in a matrix of cathodic metal or a plurality of microregions or microdomains of cathodic metal in a matrix of anodic metal, the microregions or microdomains forming interconnected veins of anodic metal through the coating thickness, or interconnected veins of cathodic metal through the coating thickness, wherein the veins extend from an outer surface of the coating through the coating to an opposite side of the coating;

    wherein the anodic metal is galvanically released as antimicrobial ions when the apparatus is exposed to a bodily fluid.

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