Biofilm reduction method
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorLewis P. Woodson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of killing microorganisms which form a biofilm on surfaces, including the surfaces of medical articles or on tissue or implant surfaces in a living subject. Killing of biofilm microorganisms is accomplished by applying an electric field to an electrically conductive medium in which the biofilm is contained. The electrically conductive medium either includes a biocide or is capable of generating a biocide in situ upon application of an electric field. A means of utilizing the method in vivo and a sterilizer are disclosed.
Claims23
A method of killing microorganisms in a biofilm comprising applying an electric field to an electrically conductive medium in which the biofilm is contained, no portion of the source of electric field being in contact with the biofilm and the strength of the electric field and the duration of application being sufficient to produce killing of microorganisms in the biofilm.
A method of killing microorganisms which form a biofilm on a surface exposed to internal body fluids in a living subject, comprising
- a) administering an effective amount of a biocide to the subject for a period of time;
- and
- b) during at least a portion of said period of time exposing said biofilm to an electric field whose field strength and duration are sufficient to produce killing of said microorganism in said biofilm, said electric field having generated by a noninvasive electric field generating device.
A method of killing microorganisms in a biofilm comprising placing an article contaminated with a biofilm in an electrically conductive medium and applying an electric field to said medium with no portion of the source of electric field being in contact with the biofilm the strength of said electric field and the duration of application being sufficient to produce killing of said microorganisms in said biofilm.
A method of sterilizing articles which may be contaminated by a biofilm comprising:
- a) placing the article in an electrically conductive medium which contains an effective amount of a sterilant or disinfectant;
- and
- b) passing an electric field through the medium, no portion of the source of electric field being in contact with the biofilm and the strength of the electric field and the duration of application being sufficient to produce killing of the microorganisms in the biofilm.
A method of disinfecting articles which may be contaminated by a biofilm comprising:
- a) placing the article in an electrically conductive medium which contains an effective amount of a sterilant or disinfectant;
- and
- b) passing an electric field through the medium, no portion of the source of electric field being in contact with the biofilm and the strength of the electric field and the duration of application being sufficient to produce killing of the microorganisms in the biofilm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.