Abstract: An applicator for providing an active composition to a surface, the applicator comprising a cellulosic substrate having anionic sites (e.g. paper, paper laminates, cardboard or a woven or non-woven plant fabric such as a wood pulp or cotton material); and an impregnated or coated composition, the impregnated composition comprising a bioactive cationic component in an amount sufficient in use to deactivate the anionic sites in the cellulosic substrate and to provide a desired effect, for example, a biocidal effect, enhanced skin feel, enhanced skin health and fabric softening. The applicator may be in the form of a sheet wipe, with a single or multiple layers of cellulosic substrate. The applicator is preferably substantially dry.

Abstract: Antiseptic hand rub composition comprising at least 0.2% w/w of isopropyl myristate, free from other derivatives of myristic acid. Phenoxyethanol is preferably present in the composition at a concentration of 1% by wt or less. A glycol may also be present, such as dipropylene glycol if the composition is an ethanol based hand rub gel or propylene glycol if the composition is in the form of an emulsion or dispersion. Additional biocides such as triclosan and chlorhexidine gluconate may be included.

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: The invention relates to a methods and compositions for treating a surface, suspension or solution contaminated with a PrPSc prion 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 favor conformational unfolding of the PrPSc prion protein while not denaturing the one or more enzymes.

Abstract: Antiseptic hand rub composition comprising at least 0.2% w/w of isopropyl myristate, free from other derivatives of myristic acid. Phenoxyethanol is preferably present in the composition at a concentration of 1% by wt or less. A glycol may also be present, such as dipropylene glycol if the composition is an ethanol based hand rub gel or propylene glycol if the composition is in the form of an emulsion or dispersion. Additional biocides such as triclosan and chlorhexidine gluconate may be included.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polyvinyl alcohol in combination with a biocide which is a plasticizer, such as a quaternary ammonium compound, or in combination with a biocide and a compatible plasticizer, 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 molded or otherwise into articles. Volatiles formed during heating may be removed from the combination e.g. by low pressure.

Abstract: Liquid compositions for cleaning, in particular medical instruments and air conditioning surfaces, said composition excluding surfactants and comprising one or more enzymes including a protease and optionally a hydrolase, a solvent system including a water soluble glycol ether solvent, at least one anionic hydrotrope, and wherein the molar ratio of said at least one hydrotrope to said glycol ether in the composition is selected to preserve the activity of said one or more enzymes. The hydrotrope is advantageously an anionic hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of water soluble anionic hydrotropes of the formula (I) and having no alkyl side chain greater than six carbons in length, for example a xylene sulfonate or cumene sulfonate salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biocidal composition comprising a carboxyl functional polymer and biocidal quaternary ammonium ions. The polymer is a copolymer comprising maleic acid monomer units and/or anions thereof and vinyl ether comonomer units. The composition may be in the form of a film on a surface or in the form of a solution.

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 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: 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: 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: 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 composition or concentrate for cleaning medical or dental instruments comprising in combination a protease and a biostatically effective phenoxy alcohol such as phenoxyethanol selected such that at a working solution dilution of the combination, the phenoxy alcohol is at a concentration below the MIC of the selected phenoxy alcohol against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), and wherein the combination is nevertheless effective to reduce a 6 log concentration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442) by at least a 1 log concentration within 4 hours. The composition or concentrate may further include or more hydrolases and or boron or a boron compound. The composition may be used in methods for cleaning a soiled medical or dental instrument, for example in an ultrasonic bath.

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: The invention relates to a methods and compositions for treating a surface, suspension or solution contaminated with a PrPSc prion 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 PrPSc prion protein while not denaturing the one or more enzymes.

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: Liquid compositions for cleaning, in particular medical instruments and air conditioning surfaces, said composition excluding surfactants and comprising one or more enzymes including a protease and optionally a hydrolase, a solvent system including a water soluble glycol ether solvent, at least one anionic hydrotrope, and wherein the molar ratio of said at least one hydrotrope to said glycol ether in the composition is selected to preserve the activity of said one or more enzymes. The hydrotrope is advantageously an anionic hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of water soluble anionic hydrotropes of the formula (I) and having no alkyl side chain greater than six carbons in length, for example a xylene sulfonate or cumene sulfonate salt.

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: Disposable endoscope cleaning device and method, where the device comprises an elongate member, preferably a monofilament and a wiper, or plurality of wipers, formed from a resiliently deformable elastomeric material integrally moulded with the member. The elongate drives the typically disc shaped wiper axially along the lumen axial direction while the wiper remains oriented in a lumen radial plane from adjacent the axial direction to adjacent the lumen wall. The wiper prior has a diameter greater than said lumen internal diameter but is resiliently deformable, preferably not of uniform stiffness in the radial direction, so that it bends in the trailing direction at or near the lumen wall so that a peripheral margin of the wiper contacts the wall in a band extending through 360 degrees of arc. The device allows for cleaning of multiple lumens of differing diameters in an endoscope.