COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR COATING MEDICAL IMPLANTS
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.