A silver nanotechnology that can render existing medical devices impervious to infection-causing bacteria has been cleared by the FDA.
SilvaGard, by AcryMed Inc., can be used to treat many medical devices, and its use does not alter the device’s original properties. It is expected to have a significant impact on the battle against hospital-related infections.
The initial FDA clearance was given to I-Flow Corp. for marketing the company’s ON-Q SilverSoaker regional anesthesia delivery catheters. ON-Q SilverSoaker catheters are treated with SilverGard, a silver nanoparticle antimicrobial coating that protects against the formation of infection-causing biofilm.
SilvaGard nanotechnology may provide a more cost-effective method of applying a surface treatment of ionic silver to a device.