Patent ID: 7976517

Claim:
A method of minimizing formation of bacterial biofilm or tissue proliferation in implantable fluid management systems, the systems include an implant comprising an antimicrobial or drug-eluting catheter wherein an antimicrobial agent or drug is coated on the catheter or impregnated in the catheter and wherein the catheter has a proximal and distal end and a flow distribution enhancing tip at the distal end of the catheter wherein the flow distribution enhancing tip comprises an inlet aperture geometry wherein the inlet apertures comprise at least three apertures that progressively increase in cross-sectional area from the most proximal inlet aperture to the most distal inlet aperture, the method comprising the steps of: a) inserting the distal end of the catheter into an area to be drained; and b) placing the proximal end of the catheter in a selected area inside or outside of the human body thereby permitting drainage of fluid from the area to be drained to the selected area through the catheter.