AIGISRx™ ANTI-BACTERIAL ENVELOPE
Anti-Bacterial Bioresorbable Polymer-Coated Polypropylene Pacemaker Pouch Containing the Antimicrobials Rifampin and Minocycline

MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY: TYRX, Inc.
STERILE: Contents sterile unless package has been opened or damaged. Single Use Only. Do Not Resterilize.
CAUTION: Read instructions prior to use.
CAUTION: Federal law limits the device to sale by, or on the order of, a licensed practitioner.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
AIGISRx is a dual component (resorbable and non-resorbable), sterile prosthesis designed to hold a pacemaker pulse generator or defibrillator to create a stable environment when implanted in the body.

AIGISRx is constructed of knitted filaments of polypropylene that are coated with a bioresorbable polyarylate polymer.

AIGISRx bioresorbable polymer coating contains the antimicrobial agents, rifampin and minocycline in concentrations of 86 µg/cm².

INDICATIONS FOR USE
AIGISRx is intended to securely hold a pacemaker pulse generator or defibrillator in order to create a stable environment when implanted in the body. AIGISRx contains the antimicrobial agents, rifampin and minocycline, which have been shown to reduce infection in an in vivo model of bacterial challenge following surgical implantation of the generator or defibrillator. This device is only intended to be used in conjunction with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.

ACTIONS
AIGISRx is constructed of knitted filaments of polypropylene that are coated with a bioresorbable polyarylate polymer. The purpose of the resorbable coating is to act as a carrier for the antimicrobial agents. Once placed, the polymer resorbs in approximately 140 days, leaving a lightweight permanent mesh incorporated into the tissue.

AIGISRx releases the antimicrobial agents, rifampin and minocycline, for a minimum of 7 days to reduce the risk of infection of the implanted pulse generator following surgery. In in vitro studies, AIGISRx demonstrated antimicrobial activity against methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus capitis, Acinetobacter baumanii, Enterobacter aerogenes and Proteus mirabilis.

AIGISRx also demonstrated in vivo effectiveness in reducing infections in a series of studies in which a pulse generator canister placed into an AIGISRx pouch and generator canister alone (Control) were implanted into appropriate models of infectivity (dogs or rabbits). Both AIGISRx and the Control groups were inoculated with bacteria and observed for a minimum of 7 days to validate the presence of infection in the animals. The bacteria tested included Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus capitis, Acinetobacter baumanii and Escherichia coli which represent a majority of the infections reported in pacemaker-related endocarditis. It should be noted that the in vitro and in vivo activity of the AIGISRx antimicrobials is variable against non-epidermidis strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
AIGISRx is NOT indicated for use in the following situations:

• Allergy or history of allergy to tetracyclines or rifampin, or polypropylene.
• In patients with systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) because minocycline has been reported to aggravate this condition.
• Use of AIGISRx in contaminated wounds is not recommended. If used, it should be understood that any infection may adversely affect proper wound healing and integration into the tissue and may result in the removal of the material.

Use of AIGISRx in contaminated wounds is not recommended.  The device is not indicated for the treatment of infection. Because the AIGISRx is impregnated with a combination of the antimicrobial agents rifampin (a derivative of rifamycinB) and minocycline (a derivative of tetracycline), the contraindications, warnings and precautions regarding the use of these antimicrobials apply and should be adhered to when using this device, although systemic levels of minocycline and rifampin in patients receiving this device are not likely.

WARNINGS
This device is supplied sterile. Inspect the packaging to be sure that it is intact and undamaged prior to use.

This device is for single use only. Do not resterilize. Product should be used once the exterior foil wrapper has been broken. Do not store for later use. Unused portions of the prosthesis should be discarded.

If the unused prosthesis has been in contact with instruments or supplies used on a patient or contaminated with bodily fluids, discard with care to prevent risk of transmission of any disease.

The use of any permanent mesh in a contaminated or infected wound could lead to fistula formation and extrusion of the prosthesis. If infection develops, treat the infection aggressively as per standard practice. The prosthesis may not have to be removed. An unresolved infection may require removal of the prosthesis.

As in any antimicrobial therapy, the possible teratogenic potential in women capable of having children should be carefully weighed against the benefit of therapy.

The use of this product in patients with compromised hepatic and renal function, or in the presence of hepatoxic or renal toxic medications, should be carefully considered since rifampin and minocycline can cause additional stress on the hepatic and renal systems. Patients who are implanted with this device and are also taking methoxyfluorane should also be carefully monitored for signs of renal toxicity.

Patients who are implanted with this device who are also taking warfarin should have their prothrombin time monitored because tetracyclines have also been reported to slow coagulation. The use of this product in patients being treated with thionamides, isonazides and halothane should be carefully considered due to potential hepatic side effects that have been reported in patients using these drugs and higher doses of rifampin.

Development of a hypersensitivity reaction should be followed by removal of the device and appropriate treatment initiated at the discretion of the attending physician.

CAUTIONS
Only physicians qualified in the placement of pulse generators or defibrillators should use this prosthesis.

Caution: Federal Law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a licensed medical practitioner.

There are no known interactions between rifampin and minocycline. As with many drugs, the effectiveness of minocycline and rifampin may be reduced after direct contact with solutions containing iodine.

Do not alter usual practice of pre-, peri-, or postoperative administration of local or systemic antibiotics.

COMPLICATIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Possible complications for these procedures include bleeding and infection. (See WARNINGS.) There is currently no long-term data available to determine whether tissue reactions to the AIGISRx device will be equivalent to the Parsonnet device. As with any surgical procedure involving the implantation of a pacemaker/defibrillator, there may be complications to include seroma, adhesions, hematoma, inflammation, extrusion or fistula formation. Any unresolved infection may require removal of the prosthesis. Please report any device-related adverse events to TYRX at 1.866.907.8979 or via e-mail at safety@tyrx.com.

STORAGE: AIGISRx should be stored between 36-77ºF (2-25ºC). Do not freeze.

HANDLING: Use clean, sterile gloves and/or atraumatic instruments when handling the mesh.

MAINTAINING ASEPSIS
To help maintain strict asepsis during surgery, special precautions and careful preoperative site preparations are necessary. Any postoperative infection should be aggressively treated as soon as possible. Any unresolved infection may require removal of the prosthesis.

PREPARATION
It is recommended that AIGISRx be completely immersed for a few seconds in standard irrigation solution to facilitate placement.

INSERTION TECHNIQUE
Prepare the pulse generator or defibrillator as per manufacturer’s instructions, making sure to secure the leads. Slide the pulse generator/defibrillator into the 1.38” opening in the pouch with lead wires emerging straight out as shown in Figure 1. Place generator/defibrillator into the patient as per standard practice. If the dimensions of the pulse generator/defibrillator are larger than the 1.38” opening, but of similar dimension to the AIGISRx, the opening can be widened to accommodate placement. (NOTE: AIGISRx cannot be used with generators and defibrillators that are larger than its internal dimensions.) For generators and defibrillators that are significantly smaller than AIGISRx, the generator/defibrillator should be placed as shown in Figure 2. Nonabsorbable or absorbable monofilament sutures can be used to tack the opening of the pouch to secure the generator/defibrillator prior to implantation.

     Figure 1            Figure 2

REMOVAL OF PULSE GENERATOR FROM INCORPORATED POUCH
It may be necessary to remove the pacemaker or defibrillator from the pouch after a period of implantation. First, surgically expose the pouch. Make an incision on the flat side of the pouch, approximately the width of the pacemaker or defibrillator. Disconnect the electrode leads. Remove the pacemaker/defibrillator through the opening in the side of the pouch. If required, insert a drainage tube. A new pacemaker/defibrillator may be inserted into the pouch through the side opening. Connect the electrical leads. Suture the pouch closed. Complete the procedure following standard accepted surgical techniques. Familiarization with the device and following proper surgical techniques are important when explanting a device. Always use standard of care subject to the patient’s condition and the surgical presentation in removing an implant.

TRACEABILITY
A traceability label, which identifies the type, size and lot number of the prosthesis, is attached to the foil label in every package. This label should be peeled off the label and affixed to the patient’s permanent medical record to clearly identify the device that was implanted.

HOW SUPPLIED
AIGISRx is supplied sterile in foil pouches in two sizes, a small and large envelope.

Manufactured by: TYRX, Inc. • 1 Deer Park Drive • Suite G • Monmouth Junction, New Jersey 08852
CUSTOMER SERVICE 866.908.8979  PHONE 732.246.8676  FAX 732.246.8677
www.tyrx.com 

TYRX Products are protected under one or more of these patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 5099060, 5216115, 5217493, 5317077, 6120491, RE37160, RE37795

Copyright © 2010, TYRX, Inc. All rights reserved.

RMS-0855 Rev. 6A