Methods and compositions for cleaning, rinsing, and antimicrobial treatment of medical equipment

• US 6,632,291 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Swart, Sally K., Chandler, Denise, Rabon, Reid, Everson, Terrence P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gulakowski, Randy
• Assistant Examiner(s): KORNAKOV, MIKHAIL
• Application Number:
  US09/816,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 134/2, 134/3, 134/25.1, 134/25.4, 134/26, 134/27, 134/28, 134/29, 134/40, 134/41, 134/42, 510/108, 510/224, 510/233, 510/291, 510/513
• US Class Current: 134/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/62 Quaternary ammonium compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/062 Special methods concerning phosphates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/10 Carbonates ; Bicarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/323 urea or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3707 Polyethers, e.g. polyalkyleneoxides
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/48 Medical, disinfecting agents, disinfecting, antibacterial, germicidal or antimicrobial compositions

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for cleaning, rinsing, and/or antimicrobial treatment of medical carts, medical cages, and other medical instruments, devices or equipment. The method for cleaning employs a solid alkaline, for example a solid carbonate, cleaning composition for cleaning the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment. The method for rinsing employs a solid neutral or neutralizing rinse composition for rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment. The method for antimicrobial treatment employs a solid, for example a solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen, antimicrobial composition, for antimicrobial treatment of the medical cart, cage, instrument, device, or equipment.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a medical cart, cage, instrument, or device, comprising:

dissolving a solid carbonate cleaning composition in water,

the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprising;

about 10 to 80 wt-% of Na₂CO₃, and

an effective sequestering amount of an organic phosphonate hardness sequestering agent;

wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprises;

non-hydrated sodium carbonate, and

a binding agent comprising hydrated sodium carbonate and organic phosphonate;

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device wit the dissolved carbonate cleaning composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature;

dissolving a solid rinse composition in water; and

rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved rinse composition.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises a nonionic surfactant and urea.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 5 to about 40 wt-% urea

about 60 to about 90 wt-% of one or more EO-PO block copolymer surfactants; and

water to provide a water;

urea weight ratio of about 1;

3 to about 1;

6.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 1 to 25 wt-% of a nonionic block copolymer composition, having the formula;

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

6. The meted of claim 1, wherein the solid cleaning composition is substantially free of a second source of alkalinity.

8. The of claim 1, wherein the binding agent:

is dispersed throughout the solid cleaning composition;

comprises, for each mole of the organic sequestrant, about 3 to 10 moles of the carbonate monohydrate and 5 to 15 moles of water; and

has a melting transition temperature of greater than about 120°

C.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising cleaning a medical instrument, the medical comprising a forceps, scissor, shear, saw, hemostat, knife, chisel, rongeur, file, nipper, drill, drill bit, rasp, burr, spreader, breaker, clamp, needle holder, carrier, clip, hook, gouge, curette, retractor, straightener, punch, extractor, scoop, keratoine, expresser, trocar, dilator, cage, catheter, cannula, plug, stent, arthoscope, or combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim the solid cleaning composition further comprises alkali metal silicate having a M₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of about 1;

1 to 1;

5.

10. A method of cleaning a medical cart, cage, instrument, or device, comprising:

dissolving a solid carbonate cleaning composition in water,

the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprising;

about 10 to 80 wt-% of Na₂CO₃, and

an effective sequestering amount of an organic phosphonate hardness sequestering agent;

wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprises;

non-hydrated sodium carbonate, and

a binding agent comprising hydrated sodium carbonate and organic phosphonate;

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument or device with the dissolved carbonate cleaning composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature;

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises a solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent or a solid halogen antimicrobial agent.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the solid halogen antimicrobial agent comprises chlorinated trisodium phosphate.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for sanitizing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for disinfecting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, or a combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the solid cleaning composition is substantially free of a second source of alkalinity.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the solid cleaning composition further comprises an alkali metal silicate having a M₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of about 1;

1 to 1;

5.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the binding agent:

is dispersed throughout solid cleaning composition;

comprises, for each mole of the organic sequestrant, about 3 to 10 moles of the carbonate monohydrate and 5 to 15 moles of water; and

has a melting transition temperature of greater than about 120°

C.

20. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

dissolving a solid rinse composition in water; and

rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved rinse composition.

21. The method of claim 10, comprising cleaning a medical instrument, the medical instrument comprising a forceps, scissor, shear, saw, hemostat, knife, chisel, rongeur, file, nipper, drill, drill bit, rasp, bun, spreader, breaker, clamp, needle holder, carrier, clip, hook, gouge, curette, retractor, straightener, punch, extractor, scoop, keratome, expressor, trocar, dilator, cage, catheter, cannula, plug, stent, arthoscope, or combinations thereof.

22. A method of cleaning a medical cart, cage, instrument, or device, comprising:

dissolving a solid carbonate cleaning composition in water,

the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprising;

about 10 to 80 wt-% of Na₂CO₃,

an effective sequestering amount of an organic phosphonate hardness sequestering agent, and

an alkali metal silicate having a M₂O;

SiO₂ ratio of about 1;

1 to 1;

5;

wherein the solid cleaning composition comprises;

non-hydrated sodium carbonate, and

a binding agent comprising hydrated sodium carbonate and organic phosphonate; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved carbonate cleaning composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition further comprises less than about 10 wt-% of alkali metal hydroxide.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the solid cleaning composition is substantially free of a second source of alkalinity.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition further comprises about 10 to about 30 wt-% of the alkali metal silicate.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the binding agent:

is dispersed throughout the solid cleaning composition

comprises, for each mole of the organic sequestrant, about 3 to 10 moles of the carbonate monohydrate and 5 to 15 moles of water; and

has a melting transition temperature of greater than about 120°

C.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

dissolving a solid rinse composition in water; and

rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved rinse composition.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises a nonionic surfactant and urea.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 5 to about 40 wt-% urea

about 60 to about 90 wt-% of one or more BO-PO block copolymer surfactants; and

water to provide a water;

urea weight ratio of about 1;

3 to about 1;

6.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 1 to 25 wt-% of a nonionic block copolymer composition, having the formula;

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises a solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent or a solid halogen antimicrobial agent.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the solid halogen antimicrobial agent comprises chlorinated trisodium phosphate.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for sanitizing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for disinfecting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, or a combination thereof.

39. The method of claim 22, comprising cleaning a medical instrument, the medical instrument comprising a forceps, scissor, shear, saw, hemostat, knife, chisel, rongeur, file, nipper, drill, drill bit, rasp, burr, spreader, breaker, clamp, needle holder, carrier, clip, hook, gouge, curette, retractor, straightener, punch, extractor, scoop, keratome, expressor, trocar, dilator, cage, catheter, cannula, plug, stent, arthoscope, or combinations thereof.

40. A method of cleaning a medical cart, cage, instrument, or device, comprising;

dissolving a solid carbonate cleaning composition in water,

the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprising;

about 10 to 80 wt-% of Na₂CO₃, and

an effective sequestering amount of an organic phosphonate hardness sequestering agent,

wherein the solid cleaning composition comprises

non-hydrated sodium carbonate, and

a binding agent comprising hydrated sodium carbonate and organic phosphonate;

wherein the binding agent;

is dispersed throughout the solid cleaning composition;

comprises, for each mole of the organic sequestrant, about 3 to 10 moles of the carbonate monohydrate and 5 to 15 moles of water; and

has a molting transition temperature of greater than about 120°

C.; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved carbonate cleaning composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition further comprises less than about 10 wt-% of alkali metal hydroxide.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the solid cleaning composition is substantially free of a second source of alkalinity.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the solid cleaning composition further comprises an alkali metal silicate having a M₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of about 1;

1 to 1;

5.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprises about 10 to about 30 wt-% of the alkali metal silicate.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

dissolving a solid rinse composition in water; and

rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved rinse composition.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises a nonionic surfactant and urea.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 5 to about 40 wt-% urea

about 60 to about 90 wt-% of one or more EO-PO block copolymer surfactants; and

water to provide a water;

urea weight ratio of about 1;

3 to about 1;

6.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 1 to 25 wt-% of a nonionic block copolymer composition, having the formula;

49. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

50. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises antimicrobial agent or a solid halogen antimicrobial agent.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the solid halogen antimicrobial agent comprises chlorinated trisodium phosphate.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for sanitizing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for disinfecting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, or a combination thereof.

57. The method of claim 40, comprising cleaning a medical instrument, the medical instrument comprising a forceps, scissor, shear, saw, hemostat, knife, chisel, rongeur, file, nipper, drill, drill bit, rasp, burr, spreader, breaker, clamp, needle holder, carrier, clip, hook, gouge, curette, retractor, straightener, punch, extractor, scoop, keratome, expressor, trocar, dilator, cage, catheter, cannula, plug, stein, arthoscope, or combinations thereof.

58. A method of cleaning a medical cart, cage, instrument, or device, comprising:

dissolving a solid carbonate cleaning composition in water,

the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprising;

about 20 to about 55 wt-% of Na₂CO₃,

about 3 to about 15 wt-% of an organic phosphonate hardness sequestering agent, and

about 0.1 to about 20 wt-% surfactant;

wherein the solid cleaning composition comprises;

non-hydrated sodium carbonate, and

a binding agent comprising hydrated sodium

carbonate and organic phosphonate; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved carbonate cleaning composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition further comprises about 10 to about 30 wt-% of an alkali metal silicate having a M₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of about 1;

1 to 1;

5.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition further comprises less than about 10 wt-% of alkali metal hydroxide.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition further comprises less than about 10 wt-% of alkali metal hydroxide.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the solid cleaning composition is substantially free of a second source of alkalinity.

63. The method of claim 58, wherein the solid cleaning composition further comprises an alkali metal silicate having a M₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of about 1;

1 to 1;

5.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the solid carbonate cleaning composition comprises about 10 to about 30 wt-% of the alkali metal silicate.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the binding agent:

is dispersed throughout the solid cleaning composition;

comprises, for each mole of the organic sequestrant, about 3 to 10 moles of the carbonate monohydrate and 5 to 15 moles of water; and

has a melting transition temperature of greater than about 120°

C.

66. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

dissolving a solid rinse composition in water; and

rinsing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved rinse composition.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises a nonionic surfactant and urea.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 5 to about 40 wt-% urea

about 60 to about 90 wt-% of one or more EO-PC block copolymer surfactants; and

water to provide a water;

urea weight ratio of about 1;

3 to about 1;

6.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein the solid rinse composition comprises:

about 1 to 25 wt-% of a nonionic block copolymer composition, having the formula;

70. The method of claim 66, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device wit the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

71. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

dissolving a solid antimicrobial composition in water; and

contacting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device with the dissolved antimicrobial composition at a temperature at or above ambient temperature.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises a solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent or a solid halogen antimicrobial agent.

73. The method of claim 72, the solid quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the solid halogen antimicrobial agent comprises chlorinated trisodium phosphate.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for sanitizing the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

76. The method of claim 71, wherein the contacting continues for a time and at a concentration of antimicrobial composition sufficient for disinfecting the medical cart, cage, instrument, or device.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the solid antimicrobial composition comprises octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, or a combination thereof.

78. The method of claim 58, comprising cleaning a medical instrument, the medical instrument comprising a forceps, scissor, shear, saw, hemostat, knife, chisel, rongeur, file, nipper, drill, drill bit, rasp, burr, spreader, breaker, clamp, needle holder, carrier, clip, hook, gouge, curette, retractor, straightener, punch, extractor, scoop, keratome, expressor, trocar, dilator, cage, catheter, cannula, plug, stent, arthoscope, or combinations thereof.