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Abstract

An anti-infective coating for a sharp-edged metal instrument. The coating is insoluble in a biological medium and is bound to the metal instrument such as needles and scalpel blades. The coating is a biocompatible, non-hydrogel polymer. One embodiment is a coating on the metal which is complexed with an iodine solution to provide a programmed rapid release of iodine. A second embodiment is a solution of the biocompatible hydrogel polymer in which the iodine is dissolved and the solution containing iodine is coated in the sharp-edged metal instrument to provide a matrix having programmed sustained release of iodine. A coating with complexed iodine may be deposited over a coating with matrixed iodine to provide an anti-infective coating on a sharp-edged metal instrument with a rapid release and a sustained release of iodine over a period of weeks. A non-iodized polymer coating may be deposited on the complexed coating, the matrixed coating or the combined coating to provide protection to the sub coating and to further control the rate of release of iodine. The iodine containing coating provides a concentration of iodine that has sufficient activity and is available for a period of time which is long enough to allow germs to be inactivated. The coated device is stable and has long shelf life. The coated device effectively inactivates human immunodeficiency virus.

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First Claim