Post-Charging Of Zeolite Doped Plastics With Antimicrobial Metal Ions

Abstract

Methods of post-loading ceramic particles with antimicrobial metal cations are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the post-loaded particles are zeolites, wherein the zeolites have been incorporated into a resin and the combination is used as an implantable device. In certain embodiments, the polymer is a thermoplastic polymer such as polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK). In certain embodiments, the source of antimicrobial activity includes ion-exchangeable cations contained in a zeolite. In certain embodiments, disclosed are methods of imparting antimicrobial activity to devices by controlling the delivery of certain cations through ion-exchange via a zeolite incorporated in the device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical implant configured for implantation at an implant site of a host, said device having an exposed surface and comprising a thermoplastic resin and zeolite incorporated in said resin, and one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions incorporated in said zeolite, said surgical implant upon implantation and exposure to bodily fluids of said host being capable of releasing from said exposed surface said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions in an antimicrobially effective amount. 
     
     
         2 . The surgical implant of  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic resin comprises PEEK. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical implant of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc, mercury, tin, lead, gold, bismuth, cadmium, chromium and thallium. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical implant of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are silver ions. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical implant of  claim 1 , wherein said zeolite comprises an A-type zeolite. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical implant of  claim 1 , wherein said non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are incorporated in said zeolite only at said exposed surface. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical implant of  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic resin has a porosity between 50% and 85% by volume. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical implant of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc, mercury, tin, lead, gold, bismuth, cadmium, chromium and thallium. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical implant of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are silver ions. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical implant of  claim 2 , wherein said zeolite comprises an A-type zeolite. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical implant of  claim 2 , wherein said non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are incorporated in said zeolite only at said exposed surface. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical implant of  claim 2 , wherein said PEEK has a porosity between 50% and 85% by volume.