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 surgically implanted device implanted in a patient at an implant site, said device having a surface exposed to bodily fluids of said patient and comprising a thermoplastic resin and zeolite incorporated in said resin, and one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions incorporated into said zeolite, said surgically implanted device upon implantation and exposure to said bodily fluids releasing from said exposed surface said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions in an antimicrobially effective amount. 
     
     
         2 . The surgically implanted device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic resin comprises PEEK. 
     
     
         3 . The surgically implanted device 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 surgically implanted device of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are silver ions. 
     
     
         5 . The surgically implanted device of  claim 1 , wherein said zeolite comprises an A-type zeolite. 
     
     
         6 . The surgically implanted device of  claim 1 , wherein said non-oxidized ion-exchangeable metal ions are incorporated in said zeolite only at said exposed surface. 
     
     
         7 . The surgically implanted device 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.