Use of sonication to eliminate prions
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsDavid W. Koenig, Douglas R. Hoffman, Sara Carney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to methods for disinfecting surfaces. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for destroying prion molecules using a combination of ultrasonic energy and enzyme treatment that is effective to denature and degrade prion proteins.
Claims22
A method of disinfecting a surface contaminated with a prion protein or a surrogate thereof, the method comprising:
- treating the surface with a means for denaturing the prion protein, the denaturing means being selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic energy, electric fields, magnetic fields, and combinations thereof;
- and
- treating the surface with a degradation composition comprising one or more enzymes effective to cleave the prion protein into non-infective fragments;
- wherein the degradation composition is substantially free of a surfactant and comprises from about 3 to 5 percent weight of the protease and/or other proteolytic enzyme by weight of the degradation composition.
A method of disinfecting a surface contaminated with a prion protein or a surrogate thereof, the method comprising:
- treating the surface with a means for denaturing the prion protein, the denaturing means being selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic energy, electric fields, magnetic fields, and combinations thereof;
- and
- treating the surface with a degradation composition comprising one or more enzymes effective to cleave the prion protein into non-infective fragments;
- wherein the degradation composition has a pH of from about 6 to about 8 and comprises from about 3 to 5 percent weight of the protease and/or other proteolytic enzyme by weight of the degradation composition.
A method of disinfecting a surface, the method comprising:
- treating the surface with a denaturing means selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic energy, electric fields, magnetic fields, and combinations thereof;
- and
- treating the surface with a degradation composition comprising one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of proteases, proteolytic enzymes, and combinations thereof;
- wherein the degradation composition has a pH of from about 6 to about 8 and comprises from about 3 to 5 percent weight of the protease and/or other proteolytic enzyme by weight of the degradation composition.
A method of disinfecting a surface, the method comprising:
- treating the surface with a denaturing means selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic energy, electric fields, magnetic fields, and combinations thereof;
- and
- treating the surface with a degradation composition comprising one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of proteases, proteolytic enzymes, and combinations thereof;
- wherein the degradation composition is substantially free of a surfactant and comprises from about 3 to 5 percent weight of the protease and/or other proteolytic enzyme by weight of the degradation composition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.