Patent ID: 7267828

Claim:
A method of preparing a light stabilized material comprising a hydrophilic, amphoteric or anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof, having antimicrobial activity comprising the steps of a) preparing a solution comprising an organic solvent and a source of silver in a quantity sufficient to provide a desired silver concentration in said light stabilized material; b) subjecting a hydrophilic, amphoteric or anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof, to said solution for a time sufficient to incorporate the desired silver concentration into said polymer; and c) subjecting the hydrophilic, amphoteric or anionic polymer, or a mixture thereof, during or after step (b), to one or more agents which facilitate the binding of said silver into said polymer, wherein the silver is substantially photostable in the light stabilized material upon drying of said material, but will dissociate from the light stabilized material upon hydration of said material.