Inventors:
Charles P. Davis - Galveston TX
Michael M. Warren - Galveston TX
David W. Arnett - Monrovia CA
Assignee:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX
International Classification:
A61H 130
Abstract:
A urinary catheter which comprises two internal heavy metal-containing electrodes disposed proximate the distal orifice of the catheter. The catheter is adapted for iontophoresis application for the purpose of preventing bacterial infection associated with catheterization procedures. Provision is made for connecting the electrodes to a constant electromotive force source. Iontophoretic operation of the catheter employs electromotive force to generate heavy metal ions at the electrode surfaces. The heavy metal ions are driven into an electrolyte solution provided by urine or tissue fluid near the site of the catheter tip. Heavy metal ions such as gold, silver, platinum, iron, and copper have been demonstrated to have antibacterial activity.