US 12,582,731 B2 · Method to decontaminate solid surface

Abstract

The instant disclosure relates to microbial decontamination of solid surfaces. The disclosure provides method for reducing or eliminating microbes from a solid surface by employing a combination of quaternary ammonium compound coating onto the solid surface and electric field application. Particularly, the method comprises subjecting a solid surface to an electric field comprising a voltage of 2 kV/cm to 6 kV/cm and a capacitance of 0.002 μF to 0.06 μF, to reduce or eliminate the microbes from the solid surface, wherein said solid surface comprises a coating of quaternary ammonium compound. Corresponding products including kit and solid material/device are also provided. The present method has several advantages including but not limiting to high efficiency (>4 log10 or >99.99%) in reducing/eliminating microbial load on solid surfaces; requirement of very low concentrations of quaternary ammonium compound [about 0.01% (w/v) to 1% (w/v)] to achieve said high efficiency; and shorter time-periods.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of reducing or eliminating microbes from a solid surface comprising:

coating the solid surface with a quaternary ammonium compound at a temperature of 25° C. to 100° C. for 2-10 hours to obtain a coated solid surface;
and
applying an electric field to the coated solid surface using an electrical power source, wherein the applied electric field has an intensity of 2 kilovolts per centimeter (kV/cm) to 6 kilovolts per centimeter (kV/cm);
and wherein the electrical power source is coupled with a capacitor that provides a capacitance of 0.002 microfarads (μF) to 0.06 microfarads (μF), to reduce or eliminate the microbes from the solid surface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method to decontaminate solid surface

Life of this patent

Method to decontaminate solid surface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18