Abstract: A non-metallic antimicrobial impregnated medical implant, such as a catheter, and a method for impregnating a non-metallic medical implant with an antimicrobial agent is provided. The method for making the impregnated implant comprises the steps of forming an antimicrobial composition of an effective concentration to inhibit the growth of organisms, such as staphylococci, other gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacilli and Candida and applying the antimicrobial composition to at least a portion of the medical implant under conditions where the antimicrobial composition permeates the material of the medical implant. The antimicrobial composition is formed by dissolving an antimicrobial agent in an organic solvent, adding a penetrating agent to the composition, and adding an alkalinizing agent to the composition. The antimicrobial composition is preferably heated to a temperature between about 30.degree. C. and 70.degree. C.

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.