Method, Material and System for Controlled Release of Anti-Microbial Agents

• US 20090104239A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bacstop Corporation Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Bacstop Corporation Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Atkinson, Donald William, Parsons, Allen Roland
• Granted Patent: US 8,512,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/409
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 2300/00 Combinations or mixtures of active ingredients covered by classes A01N27/00 - A01N65/48 with other active or formulation relevant ingredients, e.g. specific carrier materials or surfactants, covered by classes A01N25/00 - A01N65/48
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/08 containing solids as carriers or diluents
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/16 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 59/20 Copper
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/23 Solid substances, e.g. granules, powders, blocks, tablets
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/232 layered or coated
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/238 Metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/505 by oligodynamic treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/14 Additives which dissolves or releases substances when predefined environmental conditions are reached, e.g. pH or temperature

Abstract

There is provided a method for treating a fluid with an anti-microbial agent comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the fluid with a solid material containing an anti-microbial agent; and, (b) abrading an interface of the solid material and removing particles therefrom and exposing an underlying surface of the solid material to the fluid, thereby facilitating release of the antimicrobial agent of the underlying surface of the solid material and/or the removed particles into the fluid. The solid material comprises an anti-microbial agent dispersed and/or embedded in a solid carrier. Typically, the anti-microbial agent is one or more of a metal, metal oxide, metal compound, metal salt, metal-ligand complex or derivatives thereof based on silver, copper and zinc.

Claims

1. A solid material for controllably releasing an anti-microbial agent into a fluid, the solid material comprising an anti-microbial agent dispersed or embedded in a solid carrier.

2. The solid material according to claim 1, wherein the anti-microbial agent is one or more of a metal, metal oxide, metal compound, metal salt, metal-ligand complex or derivatives thereof having anti-microbial properties.

3. The solid material according to claim 2, wherein the anti-microbial agent is one or more of a metal, metal oxide, metal compound, metal salt, metal-ligand complex or derivatives thereof based on silver, copper, and zinc.

4. The solid material according to claim 3, wherein the anti-microbial agent is one or more of silver oxide (AgO), copper (II) oxide, and zinc (II) oxide.

5. The solid material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-microbial agent is capable of forming an inert film or coating by reacting with one or more chemical species contained in the fluid.

6. The solid material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid carrier is not appreciably soluble in the fluid and maintains its bulk structural integrity while in contact with the fluid.

7. The solid material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid carrier is a cementitious material.

8. The solid material according to claim 7, wherein the cementitious material is a hydraulic cement selected from a group consisting of Portland cement, Portland-slag cement, Portland-pozzolan cement, slag cement, natural cement, masonry cement, sulphate-resistant cement.

9. The solid material according to claim 7, wherein the cementitious material is an organic cementitious material selected from a group consisting of epoxy resins and polyester resins.

10. The solid material according to claim 6, wherein the solid carrier is a bulking agent provided with desirable hardness, strength, porosity, particle size, and solubility properties.

11. The solid material according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-microbial agent and the solid carrier are present in a ratio of between 95:

5-1;

99 wt %.

12. The solid material according to claim 11, wherein the anti-microbial agent and the solid carrier are present in a ratio of between 50:

50-85;

15 wt %.

13. The solid material according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the solid carrier is the anti-microbial agent.

14. The solid material according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an adjunct selected from the group consisting of a flocculant, a coagulant, an inert particulate material, a buoyancy agent, a further hardening agent, a water treatment agent, a nutrient and/or a therapeutic agent, an odourant, a colourant, an indicator agent.

15. A device coated in a solid material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14 for controllably releasing an anti-microbial agent into a fluid.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein a thickness of the coating of the solid material is from 10 microns-100 mm.

17. The device according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the coating of solid material is applied to an odourant, a colourant, or an indicator agent.

18. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, the device comprising a receptacle for fluid storage and/or treatment of a fluid with an anti-microbial agent having an interior surface thereof provided with a coating of the solid material.

19. A device formed from a solid material defined in any one of claims 1 to 14 for controllably releasing an anti-microbial agent into a fluid.

20. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 17 and claim 19, wherein the device is a solid body.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the solid body has a diameter of 10 microns-100 mm.

22. A method of controllably releasing an anti-microbial agent into a fluid comprising the steps of:

a) contacting the fluid with a solid material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14;

b) abrading an interface of the solid material and removing particles therefrom and exposing an underlying surface of the solid material to the fluid, thereby facilitating release of the anti-microbial agent at the underlying surface of the solid material and/or the removed particles into the fluid.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of abrading the interface of the solid material comprises providing a plurality of solid bodies formed from, or coated with, the solid material and agitating the fluid or otherwise causing the solid bodies to collide on a controlled basis and thereby partially fragment the solid bodies and release the anti-microbial agent into the fluid.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises stirring the fluid at a rate which causes the solid bodies to collide.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises shaking the fluid at a rate which causes the solid bodies to collide.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises containing the fluid and the solid bodies in a vessel, and recirculating the fluid through the vessel, the arrangement being such that the flux of fluid into or out of the vessel causes the solid bodies to collide.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of abrading an interface of the solid material comprises applying an abrasive force directly on the interface of the solid material.

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the step of abrading the interface of the solid material comprises providing at least one solid body and agitating the fluid or otherwise causing the or each solid body to collide on a controlled basis with the interface of the solid material.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises stirring the fluid at a rate which causes the or each solid body to collide with the interface of the solid material.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises shaking the fluid at a rate which causes the or each solid body to collide with the interface of the solid material.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises containing the fluid and the or each solid body in a vessel, and recirculating the fluid through the vessel, the arrangement being such that the flux of fluid into or out of the vessel causes the or each solid body to collide with the solid material.

32. The method according to 31, wherein an interior surface of the vessel is coated with the solid material.

33. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 33, further comprising the step of reforming an inert film or coating on the interface of the solid material.

34. The method according to claim 33, comprising ceasing the step of abrading for a pre-determined period of time and allowing the inert film or coating to reform on the interface of the solid material.

35. A system for controllably releasing an anti-microbial agent into a fluid, the system comprising:

a receptacle for receiving the fluid;

a solid material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an interface of the solid material is disposed in the receptacle and is in contact with the fluid received in the receptacle; and

a means for abrading the interface of the solid material and removing particles therefrom and exposing an underlying surface of the solid material to the fluid, thereby facilitating release of the anti-microbial agent at the underlying surface of the solid material and/or the removed particles into the fluid.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein the solid material is coated on a portion of an interior surface of the receptacle.

37. The system according to claim 35, wherein the solid material is formed as, or coated on, a plurality of solid bodies.

38. The system according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the means for abrading the interface of the solid material comprises a scouring means in operative communication with the solid material.

39. The system according to claim 35 or 37, wherein the means for abrading the interface of the solid material comprises a means for agitating the fluid received in the receptacle and causing the solid bodies to collide on a controlled basis and thereby partially fragment the solid bodies and release the anti-microbial agent into the fluid.

40. The system according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the means for abrading the interface of the solid material comprises a plurality of solid bodies disposed in the receptacle and a means for agitating the fluid received in the receptacle and causing the solid bodies to collide on a controlled basis with the interface of the solid material.

41. The system according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the means for agitating the fluid is an impeller or stirring means.

42. The system according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the means for agitating the fluid is a means for shaking the receptacle and its contents.

43. The system according to claim 39 or claim 40, wherein the means for agitating the fluid is a means for recirculating the fluid through the receptacle, the arrangement being such that the flux of fluid into or out of the receptacle causes the solid bodies to collide.

44. A method of treating a fluid with an anti-microbial agent comprising the steps of:

a) contacting the fluid with a solid material as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14; and

,

b) abrading an interface of the solid material and removing particles therefrom and exposing an underlying surface of the solid material to the fluid, thereby facilitating release of the anti-microbial agent at the underlying surface of the solid material and/or the removed particles into the fluid.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the fluid comprises a gas or a liquid.

46. The method according to claim 44 or claim 45, wherein the fluid is a water-based liquid.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein the water-based fluid comprises beverages, biological fluids or water-based fluids used in therapeutic or pharmaceutical applications, water used for human and/or animal consumption, water used in recreational activities, water used in manufacturing and industrial applications, water used in aquaculture.

48. The method according to claim 44 or claim 45, wherein the fluid is steam, humidified air, or air-borne water in the form of an atomised or nebulised spray;

gases used in breathing apparatus, gases used in medical and surgical applications, gases used under sterile conditions in industrial applications.

49. The method according to claim 44, wherein the step of abrading the interface of the solid material comprises providing a plurality of solid bodies of the solid material and agitating the fluid or otherwise causing the solid bodies to collide on a controlled basis and thereby partially fragment the solid bodies and release the anti-microbial agent into the fluid.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises stirring the fluid at a rate which causes the solid bodies to collide.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises shaking the fluid at a rate which causes the solid bodies to collide.

52. The method according to claim 49, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises containing the fluid and the solid bodies in a vessel, and recirculating the fluid through the vessel, the arrangement being such that the flux of fluid into or out of the vessel causes the solid bodies to collide.

53. The method according to claim 44, wherein the step of abrading an interface of the solid material comprises applying an abrasive force directly on the interface of the solid material.

54. The method according to claim 44, wherein the step of abrading the interface of the solid material comprises providing at least one solid body and agitating the fluid or otherwise causing the or each solid body to collide on a controlled basis with the interface of the solid material.

55. The method according to claim 54, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises stirring the fluid at a rate which causes the or each solid body to collide with the interface of the solid material.

56. The method according to claim 54, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises shaking the fluid at a rate which causes the or each solid body to collide with the interface of the solid material.

57. The method according to claim 54, wherein the step of agitating the fluid comprises containing the fluid and the or each solid body in a vessel, and recirculating the fluid through the vessel, the arrangement being such that the flux of fluid into or out of the vessel causes the or each solid body to collide with the solid material.

58. The method according to any one of claims 54 to 57, wherein an interior surface of the vessel is coated with the solid material.

59. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 58, further comprising the step of reforming an inert film or coating on the interface of the solid material.

60. The method according to claim 59, comprising ceasing the step of abrading for a pre-determined period of time and allowing the inert film or coating to reform on the interface of the solid material.

61. A method of controllably releasing an anti-microbial agent into a fluid, comprising the steps of:

dispersing and/or embedding an anti-microbial agent in a material;

forming a solid body of the material containing the dispersed and/or embedded anti-microbial agent;

locating a plurality of the solid bodies in a chamber containing the fluid to be treated; and

,

agitating the fluid or otherwise causing the solid bodies to collide on a controlled basis and thereby partially break apart the solid bodies and release the anti-microbial agent into the fluid.