Sporicidal compositions, sterlization devices and methods for rapid cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization

Abstract

Compositions, devices, and methods are disclosed for achieving rapid cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization in aqueous solution. A device for reducing surface tension in liquids is also disclosed. An ethoxylated aliphatic amine is disclosed as the cationic surfactant of choice, preferably with a liquid soluble germicide simultaneously present in aqueous solution to accelerate sterilization at 25.degree. room temperature. One device includes a tablet; another device includes an absorbent body, or other carriers which can carry both cationic surfactants and germicides. Another device includes an hermetically sealable envelope, which contains both the cationic surfactant and a germicide which impregnates an absorbent liner. The composition includes a germicide and a cationic surfactant. Glutaraldehyde is the preferred germicide, while bis (2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine and polyoxyethylene (5) cocoamine are, respectively, the cationic surfactant of choice. The compositions can additionally include a nonionic surfactant. A sterilization method is performed by providing a chamber which is substantially impervious to gas and liquid, placing a contaminated object in the chamber, removing air from said chamber and, after air is removed, introducing a sporicidal composition into the chamber to achieve sterilization thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.