Cleaning method for removing biofilm and debris from lines and tubing
AssigneePrinceton Trade and Technologt, Inc
InventorsMohamed Emam Labib, Ching-Yue Lai
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Biofilm and debris can be removed from the interior and exterior surfaces of small bore tubing by passing an aqueous cleaning solution of water, one or more surfactants and preferably a source of hydrogen peroxide, optionally including small inert solid particles, together with a gas under pressure, to create a turbulent flow within the tubing that loosens the biofilm and debris so that they can be flushed from the tubing. When the exterior surfaces of tubing are to be cleaned, the tubing is inserted in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor that provides a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve.
Claims15
A method of removing biofilm and debris from the surfaces of tubing comprising mixing an aqueous solution of water and one or more surfactants with a gas under pressure so as to form a turbulent mixture in said tubing for a time sufficient to loosen said biofilm and debris, and flushing the tubing to remove the biofilm and debris.
A method of cleaning the interior surface of endoscopy tubing comprising
- a) forming a cleaning solution from water, a surfactant and one or more oxidizing agents,
- b) mixing the cleaning solution with a gas under pressure,
- c) providing an adaptor to pass the mixture to the internal surfaces of the tubing, and
- d) passing said pressurized cleaning solution to the internal surfaces of said tubing.
A method of cleaning the exterior surfaces of endoscopy tubing comprising
- a) encapsulating said tubing in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor to provide a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve,
- b) forming a cleaning solution comprising water, a surfactant and one or more oxidizing agents,
- c) mixing said cleaning solution with a gas under pressure and
- d) passing the pressurized cleaning solution between the exterior surface of the tubing and said sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.