Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for catheterization of humans and lower animals 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: 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 toxicologically-acceptable, medical-grade elastomeric polymer, said polymer having releasably incorporated within the polymer matrix a safe and effective amount of one or more free n-alkane monocarboxylic acid antimicrobial agents or salts thereof, having from about 4 to about 10 carbon atoms, said polymer containing from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of a substantially non-antimicrobial proton donor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, ascorbic acid, barbituric acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for catheterization of humans and lower animals 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: 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 toxicologically-acceptable, medical-grade elastomeric polymer, said polymer having releasably incorporated within the polymer matrix a safe and effective amount of one or more free n-alkane monocarboxylic acid antimicrobial agents or salts thereof, having from about 4 to about 10 carbon atoms, said polymer containing from about 0.1% to about 40% by weight of a substantially non-antimicrobial proton donor selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, ascorbic acid, barbituric acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylate antimicrobial agent is in the form of the protonated acid and comprises from about 0.01% to about 60% by weight of the composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent is in the form of a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt and comprises from about 0.01% to about 60% by weight of the composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the carboxylate antimicrobial agent is a C 6 -C 10 n-alkane carboxylate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of octanoic acid, sodium octanoate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of decanoic acid, sodium decanoate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the antimicrobial agent is in the form of one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable alkali metal salts of the n-alkane monocarboxylic acids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the antimicrobial agent is in the form of one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable alkali metal salts of the n-alkane monocarboxylic acids.