An antimicrobial agent includes an oligodynamic metal ion in a hydrophilic polymer
binder or carrier. According to a presently preferred embodiment, the metal ion
is silver and the hydrophilic polymer is polyurethane. According to a method of
the invention, the antimicrobial agent is dissolved in dimethyl acetamide DMA,
applied to paper by squeegee or the like and dried in an oven to flash off the
solvent. The antimicrobial agent can be applied to other products by spraying and/or
dipping and then drying to flash off solvent. A method of rendering a polymeric
medical device antimicrobial is also disclosed.
