Lubricious coating

Abstract

A lubricant coating vehicle for medical devices used to reduce the coefficient of friction of such devices upon exposure thereof to moisture. The lubricant coating vehicle allows the introduction of a pharmacological additive having a release rate that is within acceptable pharmacokinetic criteria. The release rate is adjusted by utilizing different salt forms of the additive and adjusting the concentration of a urethane pre-polymer.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a lubricant coating for medical devices, and more particularly, to a hydrophilic polymeric coating which aids medical devices to become slippery when wetted. The lubricant coating of the present invention may be employed to reduce the coefficient of friction of catheters, arterial venous shunts, gastroenteric feed tubes, endotracheal tubes and other medical implants or polymeric substrates. The coating of the present invention also incorporates additive compounds such as anti-microbial that are released in a pharmaceutically acceptable manner. Methods are also provided for the manufacture of the subject lubricant coating and for the application of the same to surfaces of medical devices.

[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0005] Known lubricant coatings applied to surfaces of medical devices include coatings of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, acrylic polyester, vinyl resin, fluorocarbons, silicone rubber, and combinations of these substances. For example, Micklus et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,100,309 and 4,119,094, relate to a hydrophilic coating of polyvinylpyrrolidone-polyurethane interpolymer formed using polyisocyanate. Ratner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,049, relates to a method of grafting hydrogels for lubrication to polymeric substrates using radiation. Hungton et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,975,350, relates to hydrophilic polyurethane polymers for use as lubricants. Storey. et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,497, relates to a tendon prosthesis having a lubricant hydrogel coating. Many known lubricious coatings are prone to various disadvantages when used in the medical field. Disadvantages of such known lubricants may include insufficiently low coefficient of friction, lack of permanence such as characteristic of silicone or fluorocarbon based coatings, slipperiness when dry as well as wet thus making handling difficult, utilization of hazardous solvents in the manufacture of the same and utilization of unstable reactive materials in the manufacture of the same. Lubricants produced for medical use from unstable reactive material often require the coating solution to be prepared daily or more frequently to be useful and thereby increases waste and expense. Lubricants produced for medical use involving hazardous solvents are undesirable due to patient toxicity concerns and OSHA considerations. Also, lubricant coatings provided for inducing foreign devices into various areas of the body that are susceptible to infection and or thrombogenic reactions have failed to provide a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for anti-microbial and anti-thrombogenic compounds.

[0006] In order to solve these and other potential disadvantages of known lubricants such as those of the above-cited patents, which are hereby, incorporated herein by reference, a lubricant coating is needed that when wetted has sufficient lubricity to be useful in the medical device field such as for medical implants and the ability to incorporate within that coating anti-microbial compounds that can be released in a pharmaceutically acceptable manner. The lubricant coating must be capable of adhering to a wide variety of substrates and resist wet abrasion. It would also be desirable to have such a lubricant coating prepared from chemically stable and biocompatible solvents. Further, it would be advantageous to prepare such coating from components that are not health hazards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a lubricant coating composition comprising a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyoxyethylene-based isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, an alkylester of a carboxylic acid and an alkylbenzene. The present invention also provides a method of making the subject lubricant coating which adheres to a wide variety of substrates and resists wet abrasion. The subject lubricant coating is chemically stable and is bio-compatible as described in greater detail below.

[0008] In an illustrative embodiment, the lubricant coating composition comprises a hydrophilic polymer, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, an alkylester of a carboxylic acid, a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), a pharmaceutical additive and urethane. The urethane increases the binding strength of the inventive coating and controls the rate of release of the pharmaceutical additive. The addition of the urethane enables the pharmacokinetics of the anti-microbial or other pharmacological additives to be within acceptable pharmaceutical limits.

[0009] In a further alternative illustrative embodiment, the lubricant coating composition comprises a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, a hexamethylene (HDI) isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, an alkylester of a carboxylic acid and a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). It is contemplated within the scope of this invention that other solvents, in which HDI is soluble in, as is known in the art can be used. These solvents include, but are not limited to, Dimethylformamide (DMF), Methylene chloride, Cyclohexanone or the like.

[0010] In an alternative illustrative embodiment, the lubricant coating composition comprises a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyoxyethylene-based isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, an alkylester of a carboxylic acid and a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). The THF in place of the alkylbenzene that is used in an alternative illustrative embodiment imparts greater solubility of certain isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that other solvents known in the art can be used, for example, Dimethylformamide (DMF), Methylene chloride, Cyclohexanone or the like. It is contemplated within the scope of this invention that these solvents may be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0011] A method for using the subject lubricant coating composition to coat medical devices is provided herein, which involves cleaning or washing, drying, dip coating or applying of the lubricant, air drying or removal of excess lubricant, and optionally baking and packaging a medical device either before or after sterilization thereof.

[0012] The present invention also provides a medical device whereby at least a portion thereof is coated with the subject lubricant coating, which is characterized as being able to achieve a wetted lubricity with a reduction of friction of more than fifty (50) percent.

[0013] The present invention also provides a vehicle for incorporating an anti-microbial or anti-thrombogenic agent having pharmaceutically acceptable pharmacokinetic properties without interfering with the lubricous nature of the coating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The lubricant coating of the present invention has been found particularly useful in lowering the coefficient of friction of medical devices such as indwelling thoracic catheters and other medical devices. The subject coating is manufactured from a blend of one or more C1-12 alkylbenzenes such as, for example, toluene, xylene, or styrene, but preferably toluene to increase stability, a C1-12 alkylester of a carboxylic acid such as, for example, ethyl lactate, methylbenzoate, or propolyacrylate wherein ethyl lactate is preferred to increase stability, a polymer such as for example polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid or polyethylene oxide, but preferably polyvinylpyrrolidone to increase hydrophilicity and lubricity, and an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer.

[0015] According to the invention, in some coatings it has been found that tetrahydrofuran (THF) in place of the alkylbenzene imparts greater solubility of certain isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. It has also been found advantageous to use other solvents known in the art that include, but are not limited to, Dimethylformamide (DMF), methylene chloride, Cyclohexanone or the like.

[0016] Isocyanate-terminated prepolymer that can be used according to the invention include, polyoxyethylene-based isocyanate such as a toluene or isophorone diisocyanate-based prepolymer such as, for example, Hypol* PreMA G60, manufactured by Hampshire Corporation of Lexington, Mass., or Vibrathane®, a 4,4-diphenylmethane-disocyanante (MDI) urethane prepolymer, manufactured by Uniroyal, or Adiprene®, a low-free TDI, manufactured by Uniroyal Chemical.

[0017] It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that other isocyanate-terminated prepolymers known in the art may be used. These preploymers include, but are not limited to, polytetramethylene ether glycol-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polytetramethylene ether glycol-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), polytetramethylene ether glycol-isophorone diisocyanate, poly(1,4-oxybutylene) glycol-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), poly(1,4-oxybutylene) glycol-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), poly(1,4-oxybutylene) glycol-isophorone diisocyanate, polyethylene glycol-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polyethylene glycol-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), poly-ethylene glycol-isophorone diisocyanate, polypropyl-ene glycol-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), poly-propylene glycol-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), polypropylene glycol-isophorone diisocyanate, polycaprolac-tone-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polycaprolactone-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), polycaprolactone-isophorone diisocyanate, polyethylene adipate-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polyethylene adipate-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), polyethylene adipate-isophorone diisocyanate, polytetra-methylene adipate-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polytetramethylene adipate-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), polytetramethylen adipate-isophorone diisocyanate, polyethylene-propylene adipate-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polyethylene-propylene adipate-tolylene, diisocyanate (TDI), or polyethylene-propylene adipate-isophorone diisocyanate polyurethanes.

[0018] In an alternative illustrative embodiment, a hexamethylene (HDI) isocyanate-terminated prepolymer can be used. The HDI icocyanate-terminated prepolymers offer improvements in worker safety. A HDI that has been found useful in the coatings according to the invention include, but is not limited to, Adiprene® LFH 710, Crompton Corporation, Middlebury, Conn. This HDI provides an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer having less than about 0.1% free HDI, which can be beneficial in the management and control of worker exposure to HDI. This relatively low free HDI reduces dermal toxicity that can be associated with other prior art isocyanate-terminated prepolymers.

[0019] It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that urethanes such as Pellethane®, an aromatic ether polyurethane manufactured by Dow Chemical, or Hyrothane®, manufactured by CardioTech International, can be used in addition to or currently with isocyanate-terminated prepolymers to enhance binding strength. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that other urethanes known in the art may be used.

[0020] The urethane increases the binding strength of the coating and controls the rate of release and thus enables the pharmacokinetics of the anti-microbial or other pharmacological additives to be within acceptable pharmaceutical limits, and it covalently binds anti-thrombogenic additives to prevent systematic absorption. While different urethanes have different properties and may require different solvent systems, the durometer of the urethane must match the durometer of the medical device to be coated or the functionality of the medical device may become compromised.

[0021] Solvent selection and blend ratio are important to provide adequate solubility and inertness to the hydrophilic urethane and additives. Anti-microbial additives, such as silver salts or antibiotics, may be uniformly suspended within the coating solution. These additives are released on contact with moisture, the rate of release and the lubricious properties of the coating are controlled by altering the ratio of urethane and PVP. For further examples of suitable polyisocyanates see Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, H. F. Mark, N. G. Gaylord and N. M. Bikeles (eds.) (1969) incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] Anti-microbial additives utilized within the present invention include the biguanides, especially chlorhexidine and its salts, including chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, and chlorhexidine sulfate, silver and its salts, including silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver carbonate, silver iodate, silver iodide, silver lactate, silver laurate, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver palmitate, silver protein, and silver sulfadiazine, polymyxin, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, such as tobramycin and gentamicin, rifampician, bacitracin, neomycin, chloramphenical, miconazole, tolnaftate, quinolones such as oxolinic acid, norfloxacin, nalidix acid, pefloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin, penicillins such as ampicillin, amoxicillin and piracil, cephalosporins, vancomycin, and combinations of any of the above anti-microbials.

[0023] An anti-thrombogenic additive useful according to the present invention would be heparin. It is contemplated within the scope of the invention that modified forms of heparin may be used to ensure its biological activity and anti-thrombogenic properties. It is further contemplated that the urethane component may be modified to more readily accept the heparin or modified heparin molecule. According to the invention, anti-thrombogenic additives such as heparin are blended into the urethane component of the coating mixture. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the heparin molecule is entrapped within the urethane substrate.

[0024] Additionally, organic compounds derived from plants and herbs having desirable pharmacological properties can be utilized. Extracts of plants and herbs have been known to possess anti-microbial activity and their use has been shown to be safe for human and animal consumption. Extracts of such plants, known as phytochemicals, may be utilized for their anti-microbial properties. Some of these extracts, such as grapefruit seed extract, Tea Tree Oil and Myrtle Oil and others can be incorporated into the lubricious coating vehicle and their anti-microbial properties released to the surrounding tissue in an efficacious manner.

[0025] In some illustrative embodiments of the present invention colorants, emulsifiers, surfactants, and color stabilizers that are well known within the art are added to the coating formulation. The colorants in the form of dyes or pigments aid in reducing shelf life discoloration or discoloration due to the effects of sterilization. The addition of emulsifiers and surfactants aid in suspension stability of the lubricous coating vehicle and surface wettability. Color stabilizers are sometimes added when the anti-microbial is a silver salt.

[0026] The release rate of pharmacological additives within the lubricious coating and the lubricity of the coating can be controlled by the adjustment of the concentration of the urethane pre-polymer and PVP.

[0027] The lubricant coating vehicle of the present invention is generally prepared by first obtaining a mixing vat in which to prepare the solution. The mixing vat should be dry and free of water and alcohol. The present lubricant coating vehicle composition is preferably blended at room temperature according to the following component ratios described as follows in weight percent: about 1 to 4 weight percent, but preferably 1.9 weight percent polyvinylpyrrolidone, about 0.5 to 3 weight percent, but preferably 1.1 weight percent of the polyoxyethylene-based isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, about 15 to 25 weight percent, but preferably 18 weight percent alkylester of a carboxylic acid and about 60 to 80 weight percent, but preferably 79 weight percent toluene. The solution is mixed thoroughly until the polyvinylpyrrolidone and the prepolymer are completely dissolved. The component blending requires approximately one hour. In some illustrative embodiments, when the solvent system is comprised of THF its weight percent is substantially the same as the alkylbenzene it replaces.

[0028] The resulting lubricant coating solution should appear clear to pale yellow. The coating solution is naturally moisture sensitive and will increase in viscosity if not tightly capped during storage. Prior to coating medical devices with the present lubricant coating solution, the particular medical device, such as a catheter, should for best results be cleaned by first filling a container with 100% isopropanol. The medical device is then dip washed in the isopropanol for approximately 5 seconds and dried by forced air at approximately 50 to 90° C. to remove surface residual isopropanol and debris. The device should at this point be completely isopropanol free. The medical device is then dip coated for about 5 to 15 seconds in the lubricant coating vehicle solution, and slowly removed from the solution vat at a rate of about 0.5 inches per second.

[0029] The catheter or other medical device is then air dried at room temperature for about 10 to 30 seconds to allow any excess lubricant coating solution to drain off. Optionally, excess lubricant may also be removed using absorbent towels. After air drying, the coated medical devices are optionally but preferably baked in forced air ovens at approximately 50° to 60°+/−5° for approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours, but most preferably for one hour, and then removed from the oven.

[0030] Curing temperature and time are dependent upon the urethane pre-polymer, solvent selection and will vary according to concentrations. During curing, the diisocyanante reacts and becomes part of the polymer structure of the medical device. The medical devices are preferably checked for adequate transparency and to ensure that no solvent odor is present.

[0031] In packaging the subject medical devices coated in accordance with the present invention, the devices should not be allowed to touch one another. This is especially true if the environment humidity is high, which could cause undesirable moisture absorption by the lubricant coating. To prevent or avoid such contact between the coated medical devices, each device may be packed in either paper, polyethylene tubing or the like depending on the shape of the particular device. If necessary, due to high atmospheric humidity, a desiccant may likewise be necessary in the packaging.

[0032] The preferred method of making and using the lubricant coating vehicle of the present invention is described in even greater detail in the following examples which are provided for purposes of further illustration. The following illustrative examples as described are not intended to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0033] A lubricious coating was prepared by blending at room temperature the following components in a mixing vat for approximately 30 minutes until fully dissolved to form a crystal clear solution.

Ingredient                       % (wt)
Polyvinylpyrrolidone             2.0
Ethyl lactate                    18.0
Toluene                          77.8
Isocyanate-terminated prepolymer 1.2

EXAMPLE 2

[0034] Thoracic catheters made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were washed with isopropanol and dried at 80° C. for 30 minutes. The catheters were dipped coated for 10 seconds while the catheters were still warm. After dipping, excessive coating was removed using paper towels. The catheters were then immediately baked at 80° C. for 60 minutes. The resultant coating was transparent and colorless with good bonding. The coating was very lubricious when wet and the friction reduction was up to 60%.

EXAMPLE 3

[0035] A lubricious coating vehicle was prepared by blending at room temperature the following components in a mixing vat for approximately 60 minutes until fully dissolved to form a crystal clear to pale yellow solution. In this illustrative example toluene was replaced with THF to achieve greater solubility of the isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. The ingredients are mixed in order given due to miscibility of antibiotics in a particular solvent.

Ingredient        % (wt)
THF               34.0 g
Pellethane ® AE80 3.0 g
THF               38.0 g
Tolnaftate        1.0 g
NMP               20.0 g
Norfloxacin       1.0 g
PVP K-90          2.0 g
TDI/MDI           1.0 g

[0036] The lubricious coating vehicle is prepared at room temperature. THF/Pellethane® AE80 are mixed until dissolved and mixed THF/Tolnaftate solution is added to the Pellethane® solution. NMP/PVP/Norfloxacin must be completely dissolved and then added to the above solution. The coating is allowed to mix for 15 minutes at room temperature and tightly capped to prevent solvent evaporation. By adjusting the Pellethane® levels, not to exceed 5.0% and not going below 0.5%, one can adjust the release rate of antibiotics. These antibiotics are covalently bound to the urethane. Adjusting the PVP level does not increase or decrease the release rate. The adjustment of the PVP level will make the device more or less lubricious.

EXAMPLE 4.

[0037] A lubricious coating vehicle, containing silver salts for use on PVC medical devices, is prepared by blending at room temperature the following components in a mixing vat for approximately 60 minutes until fully dissolved to form a crystal clear to pale yellow solution. The order combination of the ingredients is not imperative due to the lack of covalent bonding of the silver salt to the urethane. The release of the silver salt is regulated by Pellethane® to PVP ratio adjustment due to entrapment/ionic bonding of the salt. The successful silver salts are: Giltech Powders 01-07 (this is a water soluble glass silver salt produced by Giltech Ltd.); AlphaSan RC2000 (this is a zirconium/phosphate crystal produced by Milliken Chemical); SSD (silver sulfadiazine from Kendall's Oriskany Falls, N.Y. manufacturing facility); and silver oxide (obtained from Fisher Scientific). Heparin was added in small quantities, 0.5-1.5%, qs. Cyclohexanone.

Ingredient      % (wt)
THF             46.0 g
Pellethane AE80 3.0 g
Ethyl Lactate   19.0 g
PVP             1.5 g
Silver Salt     1.0%-3.0%
Heparin         0.5%-1.5%
Cyclohexanone   29.5 g
MDI/TDI         1.0 g

[0038] The ingredients are mixed at room temperature in the above order. Once both parts have completely dissolved, the Ethyl Lactate/PVP/Cyclohexanone solution was added to the THF/Pellethane mixture. It was found that the PVP level should not exceed approximately 2.5% as it detrimentally affected coating adherence and silver release. Cyclohexanone was used to qs. solvent level. It is a less aggressive solvent for Pellethane and miscible with PVP and Heparin. Depending upon the silver complex used, the Cyclohexanone level was adjusted to maximize coating adherence to the PVC device. The amount of silver complex added to the formula is determined by the overall percent of silver loading within the salt complex. Giltech Powders range from 6%-9.5% silver loading. The particle size of silver complex is very important in that it may cause problems in coating adherence. That is, larger particle size yielded poor coating adherence and uniformity. SSD has 30% silver loading with sulfadiazine making up the bulk. AlphaSan has a range of 6.2%-10.0% silver loading.

[0039] Bio-Compatibility Test

[0040] The coated catheters were first tested for hemolysis and then tested for lubricity using 1.) protein adsorption, and 2.) platelet adhesion. The results of these tests show no hemolysis and improved lubricity as noted by a reduction of protein adsorption and platelet adhesion by more than 90% as set forth below.

[0041] Hemolysis

[0042] Using protein electrophoresis, no hemoglobin was seen in the supernatant of the PVP-coated thoracic catheter, nor was any seen in the hemolysis-negative control sample. As a comparison, rabbit hemoglobin was seen in gels stained with rabbit hemoglobin and the hemolysis-positive control. The results imply that the hydrophilic coating showed no sign of causing hemolysis.

[0043] Lubricity

[0044] Protein (Fibrinogen) Adsorption

[0045] Table 1 summarizes protein adsorption on the subject coated catheter surfaces and that of the fifteen (15) control samples.

TABLE 1
(ID = 0.4 cm, total surface area of 3.8 cm tubing = 4.7 cm2)
	Material	n	ng	ng/cm2″
	Control	4	1620 ± 69	339.3 ± 14.4
	PVP-coated	4	87.6 ± 27.1	18.3 ± 5.7

[0046] Test results show the adsorption of fibrinogen onto the hydrophilic surface was decreased by more than 90% compared to control surface.

[0047] Platelet Adhesion

[0048] Table 2 summarizes platelet adhesion on the subject coated catheter surfaces and that of the control samples:

	TABLE 2
	Material	n	Platelet/cm2 (× 105)
	Control	4	7.246 ± 0.052
	PVP-coated	4	0.055 ± 0.019

[0049] Table 2 illustrates the platelet adhesion on both the PVP coated and control catheters. The hydrophilic coating reduced platelet adhesion by more than 95%. The difference in platelet adhesion was further characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) which showed control catheters having numerous platelets attached to the surface thereof while the subject PVP-coated catheters showed little sign of platelet adhesion.

[0050] The subject lubricant composition prepared in accordance with the present invention may be applied as a thin surface film, e.g., less than about 4.0 mil, but most preferably less than about 2.5 mil-in thickness, which upon contact with water or fluid sufficiently reduces the coefficient of friction to aid in the in vivo placement of medical devices.

[0051] The unexpected significant advantages of the present lubricious coating vehicle achieved through the particular composition formulation noted above include decreased wet coefficient of friction, decreased adherence with various surfaces, resistance to wet abrasion and efficacious anti-microbial properties.

[0052] Medical devices once coated with the lubricious coating vehicle of the present invention are packaged and sterilized using an appropriate sterilization technique or may be sterilized and then packaged using aseptic technique. Appropriate methods of sterilization and packaging are known to those skilled in the art and include gamma radiation, electronic beam, ethylene oxide, and like methods. Preferably, medical devices coated with the subject lubricious coating are packaged and then sterilized using gamma radiation by cobalt 60 with 1 to 3 mrads, but preferably 2 mrads, in two independent exposure cycles for superior results.

[0053] Appropriate packaging for the subject coated medical devices includes metallic foil pouches such as aluminum foil pouches, polyethylene film, ethylene vinyl acetate film, polypropylene film, polyvinyl chloride film, Tyvek® and like packages known to those skilled in the art, but preferably, an aluminum foil cover pouch with an ethylene vinyl acetate film inner liner to prevent moisture absorption by the lubricant. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that some pharmaceutical additives may be light sensitive and therefore medical devices coated with such additives should be packaged in appropriate light packaging known in the art.

[0054] The method of using the subject coated medical devices comprises removing the device from its packaging, applying moisture to the lubricated surface of the device and placing the device as necessary for a particular medical procedure.

[0055] It is seen therefore that the present lubricious coating vehicle for medical devices provides an effective wet abrasion resistant, low coefficient of friction coating for medical devices and a vehicle for delivering additives such as anti-microbials and other pharmacological active compounds. Additionally, the ability of the urethane within the lubricious coating vehicle to covalently bond anti-thrombogenic agents such as heparin is utilized to prevent systemic absorption. The lubricious coating vehicle, the method of making and using the lubricious coating vehicle, the coated medical devices and the method of using the coated medical devices as disclosed and described herein have specific advantages over the heretofore known lubricants for medical devices. The subject lubricious coating vehicle resists wet abrasion, adheres to a variety of surfaces, has a decreased coefficient of friction only when wetted, is biocompatible, and is able to deliver pharmacological active agents with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Hence for these reasons, as well as others, it is seen that the present lubricious coating vehicle represents a significant advancement in the art which has substantial commercial significance.

[0056] Although the lubricious coating vehicle described in the illustrative embodiments herein are a series of coatings pertaining to anti-microbial additives and the methods for ensuring that the pharmacokinetics are within efficacious ranges, it should be appreciated that additives within the lubricious coating vehicle could be other desirable pharmaceutical active compounds such as topical anesthetics, anti-inflammatory compounds both non-steroidal and steroidal, spermicidal compounds, or the like. Similarly, rather than the traditional pharmaceutical compounds the additives can be organic compounds with desired pharmacological effects.

[0057] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A medical article lubricant composition having a delivery vehicle for a pharmacological additive comprising: a solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, methylene chloride and cyclohexanone, hydrophilic polymer, isocyanate-terminated prepolymerand alkylester of a carboxylic acid; and a pharmacological additive.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid and polyethylene oxide.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said alkylester of a carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, methylbenzoate and propolyacrylate.

5. The composition of claim 1 further comprising urethane.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said alkylester of a carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of C1-12 alkylesters of carboxylic acids.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene-based isocyanate prepolymers, toluene and isophorone diisocyanate-based prepolymers and hexamethylene isocyanate-terminated polyether prepolymer.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said pharmacological additive is an anti-microbial selected from a group consisting of chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine sulfate, silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver carbonate, silver iodate, silver iodide, silver lactate, silver chloride, silver laurate, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver palmitate, silver protein, silver sulfadiazine, polymyxin, tetracycline, tobramycin, gentamicin, rifampician, bacitracin, neomycin, chloramphenical, oxolinic acid, norfloxacin, nalidix acid, pefloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin, penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, piracil, cephalosporins and vancomycin.

9. A method for producing a lubricant composition for a medical article containing a pharmacological additive comprising: blending a solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, methylene chloride, clycohexanone, hydrophilic polymer, isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, alkylester of a carboxylic acid and a pharmacological additive until dissolved.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid and polyethylene oxide.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said hydrophilic polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said alkylester of a carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, methylbenzoate and propolyacrylate.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of adding urethane.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein ratio of said urethane to pre-polymer is adjusted to achieve appropriate pharmacokinetics release rate of said pharmacologic additive.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said alkylester of a carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of C1-12 alkylesters of carboxylic acids.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein said isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene-based isocyanate prepolymers, toluene and isophorone diisocyanate-based prepolymers and hexamethylene isocyanate-terminated polyether prepolymer.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein said pharmacological additive is an anti-microbial selected from a group consisting of chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine sulfate, silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver carbonate, silver iodate, silver iodide, silver lactate, silver chloride, silver laurate, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver palmitate, silver protein, silver sulfadiazine, polymyxin, tetracycline, tobramycin, gentamicin, rifampician, bacitracin, neomycin, chloramphenical, oxolinic acid, norfloxacin, nalidix acid, pefloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin, penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, piracil, cephalosporins and vancomycin.

18. A medical article lubricant composition having a delivery vehicle for a pharmacological additive comprising: a solvent selected from the group consisting of, an alkylbenzene, a hydrophilic polymer, isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, alkylester of a carboxylic acid and a pharmacological additive.

19. A method of controlling the release rate of a pharmacological additive from a lubricious coating vehicle comprising: determining the therapeutic dosing range; determining the desired pharmacokinetic properties of the pharmacological additive; and adjusting the ratio of urethane to pre-polymer to achieve the appropriate pharmacokinetics.