Compositions and methods for coating medical implants

Abstract

Medical implants are provided which release a fluoropyrimidine or an analog thereof, thereby inhibiting or reducing the incidence of infection associated with the implant.

1 . A medical implant which releases a fluoropyrimidine. 
     
     
         2 . The medical implant according to  claim 1  wherein said implant is covered or coated in whole or in part with a composition comprising a fluoropyrimidine or an analog thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The medical implant according to  claim 1  wherein said fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil. 
     
     
         4 . The medical implant according to  claim 2  wherein said composition further comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The medical implant according to  claim 4  wherein said polymer is a non-biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The medical implant according to  claim 4  wherein said polymer is a polyurethane, cellulose or a cellulose-derived polymer, or a combination of polyurethane and cellulose or a cellulose-derived polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The medical implant according to  claim 4  wherein said fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil. 
     
     
         8 . The medical implant according to  claim 1  wherein said medical implant is a vascular catheter or a dialysis catheter. 
     
     
         9 . A composition, comprising one or more polymers and a fluoropyrimidine, wherein the composition is in the form of a coating on a medical implant, and wherein the coated medical implant releases the fluoropyrimidine in an amount effective in reducing or inhibiting bacterial infection in an in vitro radial diffusion assay. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 9  wherein the one or more polymers comprises a non-biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 10  wherein the one or more polymers comprise a a polyurethane, cellulose or a cellulose-derived polymer, or a combination of polyurethane and cellulose or a cellulose-derived polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 9  wherein the fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for making a medical implant, comprising covering or coating a medical implant with a fluoropyrimidine or an analog thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the medical implant is covered or coated by dipping or by impregnation.