Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are preferably formed by depositing an anti-microbial, biocompatible metal by vapor deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by vapor deposition or altered by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. Novel anti-microbial silver materials are defined, characterized by having a positive rest potential, a T.sub.rec /T.sub.m less than 0.33, and a grain size less than 200 nm.

Abstract: Production of an anti-microbial effect in an alcohol or water based electrolyte is achieved by preparing silver materials that form complex ions other than Ag.sup.+, Ag.sup.2+, or Ag.sup.3+, and which produce an anti-microbial effect that is greater than that produced by an equivalent amount of silver as Ag.sup.+. Exemplary complex silver ions produced include Ag(CN).sub.2.sup.-, AgCN(.sub.aq)(ion pair), Ag(NH.sub.3).sub.2.sup.+, AgCl.sub.2.sup.-, Ag(OH).sub.2.sup.-, Ag.sub.2 (OH).sub.3.sup.-, Ag.sub.3 (OH).sub.4.sup.-, and Ag(S.sub.2 O.sub.3).sub.2.sup.3-. The silver materials may be prepared as powders or as solutions or suspensions containing the complex silver ions. The silver materials might also be prepared as coatings, foils, powders, or fine grain or nanocrystalline powders, which are formed with atomic disorder to provide sustained release of the complex silver ions.

Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are preferably formed by depositing an anti-microbial, biocompatible metal by vapour deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by vapour deposition or altered by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. Novel anti-microbial silver materials are defined, characterized by having a positive rest potential, a T.sub.rec /T.sub.m less than 0.33, and a grain size less than 200 nm.

Abstract: Anti-microbial coatings and method of forming same on medical devices are provided. The coatings are preferably formed by depositing an anti-microbial, biocompatible metal by vapor deposition techniques to produce atomic disorder in the coating such that a sustained release of metal ions sufficient to produce an anti-microbial effect is achieved. Preferred deposition conditions to achieve atomic disorder include a lower than normal substrate temperature, and one or more of a higher than normal working gas pressure and a lower than normal angle of incidence of coating flux. Anti-microbial powders formed by vapor deposition or altered by mechanical working to produce atomic disorder are also provided. Novel anti-microbial silver materials are defined, characterized by having a positive rest potential, a T.sub.rec /T.sub.m less than 0.33, and a grain size less than 200 nm.