Method of removing contaminants from an epidermal surface using an oscillating fluidic spray

• US 6,176,941 B1
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fluidic Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Bird, Warren R. Jewett
• Inventors: Jewett, Warren R., Drzewiecki, Tadeusz M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gulakowski, Randy
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARRILLO, BIBI SHARIDAN
• Application Number:
  US09/253,459
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 134/26, 134/29, 134/30, 134/34, 134/35, 134/42, 134/69.R, 134/122.R, 134/44, 134/47.52, 239/589.1, 137/803, 604/289
• US Class Current: 134/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/80 Implements for cleaning or washing the skin of surgeons or patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0088 Liquid substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/08 of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities ; Fluidic oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/10 Fluid amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/206 Flow affected by fluid contact, energy field or coanda effect [e.g., pure fluid device or system]

Abstract

A process for cleansing microorganisms from the pliant epidermal surface of a human hand which comprises brushlessly scrubbing the pliant epidermal surface of the human hand with a plurality of cleansing fluids. The cleansing fluids are oscillating sprays which are sprayed onto the epidermal surface at a frequency of 20-80 HZ and at a temperature of 40-50° C. thereby removing microorganisms present on the pliant epidermal surface.

Claims

1. A process for cleansing microorganisms from the pliant epidermal surface of a human, which comprises:

brushlessly scrubbing the pliant epidermal surface of a human with a plurality of cleansing fluids sprayed in an ordered sequence, said fluids and sequence comprising;

(i) first, spraying water for a first predetermined period of time on the surface of the human at an angle oblique to a surface axis of the pliant epidermal surface;

(ii) second, spraying an aqueous solution of a detergent and a bactericide for a second predetermined period of time on the surface at said angle; and

(iii) third, spraying an aqueous rinse for a third predetermined period of time on the surface at said angle;

said first, second and third sprayings being fluidic sprays which are pulsating, laterally oscillating sprays at a frequency of from 20 to 80 HZ and at a temperature of from 40 to 50°

C.;

wherein a cleansing of the pliant epidermal surface is obtained which is substantially as effective as a surgical brush scrub of 240 seconds at said temperature.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the aqueous solution is a solution of chlorhexideine gluconate in a detergent base.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said water impacts the surface at a force of 30 to 70 psi.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature is 40°

C.