Methods and Apparatus for Passive Reduction of Nosocomial Infections in Clinical Settings, and Fabrics, Yarns, and Filaments for Use in Connection Therewith
AssigneePhiladelphia University
InventorsDiana R. Cundell, Alexander A. Messinger, Brian R. George
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for passively reducing nosocomial infections by providing fabrics for patient contact only as media for air filtration in areas with patient populations, which fabrics have been treated with a solution of eugenol of sufficient strength and for sufficient time to reduce the percentage of viable microbes in the fabrics by at least 2 log units.
Claims15
1) A method for reducing frequency of nosocomial infections in healthcare institutions comprising the step of providing fabric products for patient contact which fabrics have been treated with a solution of eugenol in sufficient strength and for sufficient time to reduce the percentage of viable microbes in the fabrics by at least 2 log units.
2) A method for treating fabric to import biocidal properties thereto, comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a solution to be used as a carrier of a biocidally active natural ingredient;
- b) combining a selected biocidally active natural ingredient with the solution;
- c) immersing the fabric in the resulting solution;
- d) stirring the solution with the fabric therein for time sufficient for the biocidally active natural ingredient to couple to the fabric;
- e) rinsing the fabric with water;
- and
- f) drying the fabric.
10) Fabric having a natural biocidally active herbal coupled thereto selected from the group consisting of eugenol, cloves, tumeric powder, citric acid, corn gluten meal, and aloe vera.
11) A method for reducing incidence of nosocomial infections in clinical settings comprising placing a portion of fabric having a natural biocidally active herbal coupled thereto selected from the group consisting of eugenol, cloves, tumeric powder, citric acid, corn gluten meal, and aloe vera, in position in the clinical setting for passive convective air flow along and through the fabric.
12) A method for reducing incidence of nosocomial infections in clinical settings comprising forcing air though fabric having a natural biocidally active herbal coupled thereto selected from the group consisting of eugenol, cloves, tumeric powder, citric acid, corn gluten meal, and aloe vera.
13) Apparatus for reducing incidence of nosocomial infections in clinical settings comprising:
- a) fabric having a natural biocidally active herbal coupled thereto selected from the group consisting of eugenol, cloves, tumeric powder, citric acid, corn gluten meal, and aloe vera;
- b) a frame having the fabric affixed thereacross;
- and
- c) a fan for blowing air through the fabric affixed across the frame.
14) A garment for wear by workers in clinical settings comprising fabric having a natural biocidally active herbal coupled thereto selected from the group consisting of eugenol, cloves, tumeric powder, citric acid, corn gluten meal, and aloe vera.
15) A method for treating cotton, rayon and cotton-polyester fabrics to import biocidal properties thereto, comprising the steps of:
- a) preparing a solution of polyvinyl alcohol and glyoxal;
- b) adding eugenol to the solution;
- c) immersing the fabric in the resulting solution;
- d) stirring the solution with the fabric therein for time sufficient for a biocidally active herbal of the eugenol to couple to the fabric;
- e) rinsing the fabric with water;
- and
- f) drying the fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.