Jason Wade Calhoun

US Patent:

52681785, Dec 7, 1993

Filed:

May 12, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/881886

Inventors:

Jason H. Calhoun - Galveston TX
Jon T. Mader - Galveston TX

Assignee:

The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

A61F 200

US Classification:

424426

Abstract:

Methods are disclosed for preventing or treating infection in a living patient at the site of a void in the patient's body created by surgery. The methods involve the use of biodegradable antibiotic implants which are placed in the surgical void and then supply an extended, continuous supply of at least one antibiotic to the surrounding tissue. The biodegradable implant comprises at least one biodegradable material such as polylactic acid, and at least one antibiotic drug. These components are combined and formed into bead, rods, or a gel which can be placed in the surgical void. The implant preferably comprises a plurality of antibiotics, each of which is specific to a different bacteria, which bacteria may be expected to be present at the site of the surgical The United States Government has certain rights in the present invention pursuant to NIH Grant No. S07RR05427.