Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are described for applying alternating and/or pulsed, electrical charges to open circuitry incorporated into medical devices intended to be placed into contact with portions of the body. A catheter assembly is described which comprises a catheter tube, an exterior portion of which is circumferentially surrounded by at least two parallel elongated helical conductive elements which may be operably connected to a power source to create a open circuit to induce an antimicrobial effect in the area proximate the exterior conductive elements through oligodynamic activity. In another embodiment, an oligodynamic dressing is described which incorporates open circuitry which is presented to contact a subject wound.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is described which comprises a catheter tube, an exterior portion of which is circumferentially surrounded by at least two parallel elongated helical conductive elements which may be operably connected to a first power source to create a first open circuit to induce an antimicrobial effect in the area proximate the exterior conductive elements through oligodynamic activity. The catheter assembly further comprises a hub at its proximal end having a cap containing a second power source. At least two internal conductive elements are disposed along the internal length of the hub and are operably connected to the second power source upon closure of the hub with the cap to create a second open circuit which creates an antimicrobial effect proximate the hub through oligodynamic activity.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having long lasting resistance to staphylococcal biofilm colonization is provided. Implantable medical devices such as catheters, shunts, prosthesis, pacemakers, etc. are susceptible to colonization by biofilm adherent microorganisms, especially staphylococci. While systemic staphylococcal infections are effectively treated by many antibiotics, vancomycin being the antibiotic of choice, this same bacteria when encased in biofilm adhering to indwelling medical devices is generally resistant to antibiotic treatment. By the present invention, the combination of rifampin and minocycline or the combination of rifampin and novobiocin when coated on the surfaces of implantable medical devices unexpectedly provides superior antibacterial activity against staphylococcal biofilm colonization on the coated surface of indwelling medical devices.