Patent ID: 6361526
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A tympanostomy tube having a sidewall and flange formed of a microporous resin cured to form a gas-permeable matrix containing a homogeneous dispersion of particles of a silver compound capable of migrating to the surface of said tympanostomy tube to provide antimicrobial activity, said tympanostomy tube being produced by the process steps ofmixing a microporous, gas-permeable elastomeric resin with a concentration of about 0.5 to about 15% by weight of a silver compound in the form of particles having an average particle size of about 5 to about 100 microns; forming the mixture into a tympanostomy tube having a sidewall and flange; and post curing the tympanostomy tube whereby the silver compound is capable of migrating to the surface of the tympanostomy tube via pores in the resin.