Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric medical articles contained the antiinfective agents chlorhexidine and triclosan. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the synergistic relationship between these compounds permits the use of relatively low levels of both agents, and on the discovery that effective antimicrobial activity may be achieved when these compounds are contained in either hydrophilic or hydrophobic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising (i) less than or equal to two percent by weight chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine salt; (ii) less than or equal to 0.1 percent by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound such as benzalkonium chloride; and (iii) less than or equal to two percent by weight of parachlorometaxylenol. The antimicrobial compositions of the invention may be utilized in antimicrobial detergents, soaps, creams, rinses, and emulsions for use in the medical community as well as general public use.

Abstract: The present invention provides for medical devices which are antiinfective as a result of antiinfective agents impregnated onto their surfaces and/or antiinfective activity incorporated into their access sites. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that certain combinations of antimicrobial agents and solvents change the surface characteristics of polymeric medical devices, thereby facilitating the retention of antimicrobial agents. It is further based on the discovery that the incorporation of antiinfective polymeric inserts into the access site of a medical device provides substantially improved antiinfective activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antimicrobial glove which exhibits rapid release of the antiinfective agent chlorhexidine. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that when a slurry having a high ratio of chlorhexidine to starch lubricant, where the percentage of starch lubricant is between 7 and 10 percent, is used to coat the inner surface of a latex glove, the resulting antimicrobial activity is available surprisingly quickly, within about 30 seconds to one minute of exposure to liquid. This rapid release of antiinfective agent may be explained by the presence, in gloves according to the invention, of two matrix layers, one comprising the starch lubricant, the other comprising latex in the body of the glove in immediate apposition to the lubricant, both of which are supersaturated with chlorhexidine.

Abstract: An antiviral surgical or examination glove is obtained by blocking adsorption sites for the antiinfective agent which may exist in the lubricating agent, e.g., cross-linked corn starch, or in the material of the glove itself. The glove of the invention comprises an elastomeric hand-shaped body having interior and exterior surfaces and an inner coating disposed on the interior surface of the elastomeric body. The inner coating comprises (a) an antiinfective agent selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of chlorhexidine and (b) a lubricating agent which does not significantly adsorb the antiinfective agent. The inner coating is effective to deliver an antivirally effective amount of the antiinfective agent within ten minutes of exposure to a liquid.