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 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A medical device having a reduced likelihood of infection, the device comprising a medical implant which has been covered or coated with an antimicrobially effective amount of a fluoropyrimidine or an analog thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , where the implant is coated or covered with an antimicrobially effective amount of a fluoropyrimidine. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , comprising 0.1 μg to 1 mg fluoropyrimidine per cm 2  of surface area of the portion of the medical implant to which the fluoropyrimidine has been applied. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the implant releases the fluoropyrimidine in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit the likelihood of infection associated with the implantation of the device in a subject. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the implant does not release the fluoropyrimidine in an amount effective for the treatment of cancer in the subject that receives the implant. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 18 , further comprising a polymer coating in combination with the fluoropyrimidine or analog thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the polymer coating comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the implant is a catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the catheter is a dialysis catheter. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 18 , which is not useful for treating cancer.