Abstract: Methods and compositions for high level disinfection (as herein defined) of a surface. Methods include treating the surface with a composition including a quaternary ammonium compound in a concentration which exceeds 1% w/w and the temperature of treatment is in the range of from 30° C. to 80° C. A log (6) reduction in Mycobacterium terrae is achieved on the surface in less than 10 minutes. The temperature may be produced by a physical chaotrope, a chemical chaotrope (such as) boron or a boron compound or complex or a combination of chaotropic agents. Sequestering agents and enzymes maybe added.

Abstract: Composition for application to skin comprising a biocide or combination of biocides (such as chlorhexidine, halogenated phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds; povidone-iodine; zinc pyridinethione; alcohols etc) and at least one transcutaneous vehicle (for example alkyl methyl sulfoxides, alkyl pyrrolidones, glycols, glycol ethers and glycol esters) effective to convey the biocide to a sub epidermal “resident” micro-organism. Also a method for preparing a patient for surgery comprising the step of treating an area of the patient's skin at, and in the surrounding the vicinity of, the site of an intended surgical incision with a composition effective to kill more than 93% of both “transient” and “resident” micro-organisms.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polyvinyl alcohol in combination with a biocide which is a plasticiser, such as a quaternary ammonium compound, or in combination with a biocide and a compatible plasticiser, and wherein the biocide forms a complex with the polyvinyl alcohol, said combination having been heated to above its melting point, said composition having a surface which remains biostatic or biocidal for at least 7 days. A hot melt of the composition may be cast or applied as a film or coating or may be extruded moulded or otherwise into articles. Volatiles formed during heating may be removed from the combination e.g. by low pressure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions effective for at least a week for prevention of microbial colony growth on a surface, for example an inanimate surface, where the surface is covered with a dry or substantially dry film formed from a composition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a quaternary ammonium compound. The film may be formed in situ by coating the surface with a solution or emulsion comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a quaternary ammonium compound and then causing or allowing it to dry or substantially dry.

Abstract: A tablet for use in a drip tray including an excipient selected so that the tablet will not fully dissolve in water at ambient temperature for a period of at least one month, more preferably up to 12 months, a biocide, at least one enzyme, preferably a proteolytic or hydrolase enzyme, and enzyme preserving means, such as a boron compound for maintaining enzyme activity in a moist environment. The excipient may be for example poly vinyl alcohols, high molecular weight polyethylene glycols, high molecular weight polypropylene glycols, esters or partial esters of polyethylene glycols or of polypropylene glycols, and high molecular weight thermoplastic surfactants. The invention also relates to methods for inhibiting the growth of biofilm in an drip tray or the like, including the step of adding to the tray a tablet according to the invention.

Abstract: A unitary single use analytic device for detecting an enzyme in a liquid. The device comprises a support structure for manual manipulation and a composition associated therewith which is responsive to the enzyme in such a way as to cause a change in appearance of the device. The device may be adapted for detecting an enzymes from a plurality of classes by having compositions selectively responsive to an enzyme of one class, each responding in such a way as to cause a change in appearance of the device indicative of the presence of an enzyme of a respective class. Also disclosed is a method for estimating the activity of an enzyme in a liquid comprising the steps of inserting a test strip of the present invention into the liquid and measuring the time taken from the moment of insertion until a predetermined change in appearance of the test strip is observed, or noting the appearance of the strip after predetermined time.

Abstract: The invention provides a filter treated with a humectant which may optionally be in combination with a surfactant. The treatment may also include a water soluble rheology modifier to alter the viscosity of water drawn onto the filter by the humectant. A tackifier may also be added. The invention also provides compositions suitable for application to a filter to carry out the treatment. The invention provides a method of “upgrading” a filter using the treatments and compositions described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a contaminated medical instrument including the step of immersing the instrument in a solution containing an enzyme based cleaning composition including a “hospital grade disinfectant”. Compositions useful for cleaning contaminated medical instruments in accordance with the method include an enzyme, a quat biocide and an “activity protector”, which may be for example, enzyme stabilizers, enzyme stabilizing systems, micelle formation modifiers and inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a medical instrument such as an endoscope, which includes a fabric, wipe, or sponge impregnated with a composition which comprises: an enzyme such as a protease, alcalase, cellulase, lipolase: a surfactant and a humectant present in an amount to ensure that sufficient water is absorbed to reduce any hazard which would arise from use of the enzyme in dry form while maintain activity of the enzyme during storage. The cleaning device is adapted to remove at least a portion of externally adherent soiling on a surgical instrument by mechanical wiping; and to redistribute any remaining external soiling such that it is distributed as a film of thinner and more uniform thickness than on the unwiped instrument The invention also relates to packaging of the cleaning device, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A biostatic coating comprising a coating composition which on drying produces an intrinsically hydrophobic film. The coating composition includes a biocidal complex A-B in which A is a phenolic biocide and B is selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone (“PVP”), PVP polymers, PVP copolymers and mixtures thereof. The coating composition for example is selected from acrylic and methacrylic polymer based compositions, acrylic and methacrylic copolymer based compositions, vinyl polymer based compositions, vinyl copolymer based compositions, epoxy resins, epoxy esters, and mixtures thereof. Suitable biocides for use in the invention include, but are not limited to complexes of PVP or PVP copolymer with triclosan; diclosan; dichlorophen; orthophenylphenol; orthobenzylparachlorophenol, cresols, xylols, and substituted diphenyl ethers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous composition comprising in combination an alkyl pyrrolidone, such as a C8-C18 linear alkyl pyrrolidone, and an alkyl polysaccharide such as an alkyl polyglucoside, and a method of .enhancing the efficacy of an enzyme containing composition for use in cleaning medical instruments comprising the step of including in said composition an alkyl pyrrolidone and an alkyl polysaccharide. The methods and compositions of the present invention may further include at least one enzyme such as proteases, lipases, amylases, and cellulases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a contaminated medical instrument including the step of immersing the instrument in a solution containing an enzyme based cleaning composition including a “hospital grade disinfectant”. Compositions useful for cleaning contaminated medical instruments in accordance with the method include an enzyme, a quat biocide and an “activity protector”, which may be for example, enzyme stabilizers, enzyme stabilizing systems, micelle formation modifiers and inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Air filters include a composition which has a biostatic or biocidal agent adapted to migrate through particulates accumulating in use on the filter. The biocidal agent may have bacteriostatic and/or fungistatic properties and may optionally include a humectant, a surfactant or rheological additive. Compositions for treating filters and methods of reducing airborne contaminants in the air are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for control of transmission of pathogenic organisms between a carer (of plurality of carers) and a patient (or plurality of patients) during a shift which includes the steps of (1) washing the hands of the carer, after commencement of a shift and prior to contact with the patient, with a first composition which assists in removal from the carer's hands of any anionic species of a kind which reduce the bactericidal efficacy of biocides, and (2) ensuring that no composition containing an anionic surfactant contacts the skin after step (1) and prior the end of the shift. A kit comprising a first composition in combination with a second composition, said compositions being such that the second contains a biocide, and use of the first prior to use of the second conditions the skin of a user against deactivation of the biocide of the second.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a contaminated medical instrument including the step of immersing the instrument in a solution containing an enzyme based cleaning composition including a “hospital grade disinfectant”. Compositions useful for cleaning contaminated medical instruments in accordance with the method include an enzyme, a quat biocide and an “activity protector”, which may be for example, enzyme stabilizers, enzyme stabilizing systems, micelle formation modifiers and inhibitors, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a methods and compositions for treating a surface, suspension or solution contaminated with a PrPScprion protein or a surrogate thereof. The methods and compositions employ a combination of one or more enzymes effective to cleave a prion protein to fragments having a non-infective molecular weight, and one or more agents selected to favour conformational unfolding of the PrPScprion protein while not denaturing the one or more enzymes.

Abstract: A method of forming a water soluble biocidal film on a solid household, food preparation, or medical surface, which protects the solid surface against reinfection by microorganisms, includes providing a liquid biocidal composition comprised of, based on total weight of the liquid biocidal composition from 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % of a phenolic biocide; from an amount effective to impart film-forming properties to the liquid biocidal composition up to 8 wt. % of a polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer; and an aqueous alcoholic solvent in which the phenolic biocide and the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer or copolymer are dissolved; treating the solid surface with the liquid biocidal composition; and evaporating the aqueous alcoholic solvent to provide a clear film, wherein a ratio of the phenolic biocide to the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer or copolymer is selected to range from 1:0.8 to 1:3 so that a complex there between is provided which dries clear.

Abstract: Apparatus for wiping a contaminated lumen of an endoscope including a cleaning member having at least one radially extending fin for passing axially through the lumen with at most a small clearance whereby contamination remaining after passage of the member through the lumen is substantially uniformly distributed as a thin film on an internal wall of the lumen. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a contaminated lumen of an endoscope including pulling or pushing a cleaning member axially through the lumen and treating the uniformly distributed film with a cleaning composition.

Abstract: A cleaning article including an agent or reagent, for example a biocidal agent or reagent, which is slowly released therefrom in use of the article and a visual indicator selected to present a change in appearance indicative of the amount of agent or reagent remaining in, or released from, the article. In preferred embodiments, the cleaning article comprises a nonwoven fabric or sponge containing one or more biocides which are slowly released during use, and bearing a crosslinked ink which fades during use at a rate which indicates when the article is no longer reliably biocidal. The invention also relates to a visual indicator for use on a cleaning article containing one or more biocides which are slowly released during use, said indicator consisting of an ink formulation which is crosslinked to a degree selected so that the ink will wear off or fade to a predetermined degree with the amount of usage that causes the biocide concentration to fall below an effective level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning a contaminated medical instrument including the step of immersing the instrument in a solution containing an enzyme based cleaning composition including a “hospital grade disinfectant”. Compositions useful for cleaning contaminated medical instruments in accordance with the method include an enzyme, a quat biocide and an “activity protector”, which may be for example, enzyme stabilizers, enzyme stabilizing systems, micelle formation modifiers and inhibitors, and combinations thereof.