Patent ID: 6565913
Filing Date: 2003-05-20
Classification: A61L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming an adherent antimicrobial coating on a surface of a substrate, said method comprising:exposing said surface to initial conditions effective to convert at least some atoms of said surface to activated atoms; condensing a carbonaceous vapor consisting essentially of carbonaceous precursor material onto said surface under condensing conditions effective to induce the formation of covalent bonds between said activated atoms and carbon atoms in said carbonaceous vapor, producing a bonding region comprising hydrogenated amorphous carbon covalently bonded to said substrate; exposing an antimicrobial metal to physical vapor deposition techniques, thereby producing a metallic stream consisting essentially of an antimicrobial metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Ir, Sn, Cu, Sb, Bi, Zn, and combinations thereof; condensing a combination comprising said carbonaceous vapor and said metallic stream onto said hydrogenated amorphous carbon at a ratio and under incorporation conditions effective to produce an antimicrobial region comprising hydrogenated amorphous carbon having dispersed therein an antimicrobially effective load of antimicrobial metal ions.