Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for catheterization with lowered risk of nosocomial infection by achieving microbial inhibition at and around the placement site of catheters and the like used in the bodies of humans and lower animals, comprising: inserting into the body of a human or lower animal in need of such treatment a catheter, or the like, said catheter comprising: a liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent; a delivery means for transporting liquid materials, said delivery means being in the form of a tube; at least part of the portion of said tube which contacts the body comprising a carboxylic acid-permeable polymer, said polymer being in contact with both the environment external to said catheter and with said reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing within the lumen of said catheter; said reservoir of antimicrobial agent comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for catheterization with lowered risk of nosocomial infection by achieving microbial inhibition at and around the placement site of catheters and the like used in the bodies of humans and lower animals, comprising: inserting into the body of a human or lower animal in need of such treatment a catheter, or the like, said catheter comprising: a liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent; a delivery means for transporting liquid materials, said delivery means being in the form of a tube; at least part of the portion of said tube which contacts the body comprising a carboxylic acid-permeable polymer, said polymer being in contact with both the environment external to said catheter and with said reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing within the lumen of said catheter; said reservoir of antimicrobial agent comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the solution passing through the catheter has a flow rate of from about 1 ml/hr to about 1000 ml/hr.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said polymer portion of said catheter has a thickness of from about 0.05 mm. to about 2.5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt is present in solution in a concentration of from about 100 μM to about 1 M.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt is selected from the group consisting of n-octanoic acid, n-hexanoic acid and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the free hexanoic acid is present in solution in a concentration of at least 30 mM, or the free octanoic acid is present in solution in a concentration of at least 3.5 mM.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the solution has a pH of from about 3.5 to about 6.0.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
An article of manufacture especially adapted for use as a catheter or the like, in the bodies of humans or lower animals, comprising: an aqueous liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent; a tube for transporting liquid materials, at least a part of the portion of said tube which contacts the body comprising carboxylic acid-permeable polymer, said polymer being in contact with both the environment external to said catheter and with said aqueous liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing within the lumen of said catheter; said reservoir of antimicrobial agent comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
An article of manufacture especially adapted for use as a catheter or the like, in the bodies of humans or lower animals, comprising: an aqueous liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent; a tube for transporting liquid materials, at least a part of the portion of said tube which contacts the body comprising carboxylic acid-permeable polymer, said polymer being in contact with both the environment external to said catheter and with said aqueous liquid reservoir of antimicrobial agent flowing within the lumen of said catheter; said reservoir of antimicrobial agent comprising an aqueous solution containing at least a minimum lethal concentration of a straight chain carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt is present in solution in a concentration of from about 100 μM to about 1 M.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article according to claim 9 wherein the solution of antimicrobial has a pH of from about 3.5 to about 6.0.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article according to claim 9 wherein the carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid salt is selected from the group consisting of octanoic acid, hexanoic acid, and their pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
An article according to claim 10 wherein the free hexanoic acid is present in solution in a concentration of at least 30 mM, or the free octanoic acid is present in solution in a concentration of at least 3.5 mM.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer portion of the wall of the tube has a thickness of from about 0.05 mm. to about 2.5 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer is a silicone elastomer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
An article according to claim 14 wherein the silicone elastomer is polydimethylsiloxane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer is polyethylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer is silicone-urethane copolymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer is ethylene-propylene copolymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer is polyurethane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
An article according to claim 8 wherein the carboxylic acid-permeable polymer is polypropylene.