Sterilizing compositions comprising phosphors for converting electromagnetic radiation to UVC radiation and methods for using the same

A method of sterilizing an article by exposing it to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, said method comprising:

• exposing to long-wave ultraviolet, visible or infrared light, a composition comprising, in an organic or inorganic media, at least one phosphor capable of converting said visible or infrared light to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength,
• wherein said exposing is performed for a time sufficient to deactivate or kill at least one microorganism chosen from bacteria, virus, mold, protozoa, and yeast;
• and/or for a time sufficient to inhibit abnormal cell growth within the body, when said composition is in an implantable medical device,
• wherein said composition comprises a host lattice represented by the formula (Y1-x-y-z,Lux,Scy,Az)PO4,
• wherein 0≦x<1 and 0<y≦1 and 0≦z<0.05, and
• wherein A is an activator chosen from bismuth, praseodymium, and neodymium.

A method of coating an article with a sterilizing composition, said method comprising:

• spraying, dipping, or painting onto said article, a composition comprising, in an organic or inorganic media, at least one phosphor capable of converting UVB, UVA, visible or infrared light to UVC radiation or radiation of shorter wavelength,
• wherein said organic or inorganic media comprises a liquid for forming a sprayable slurry of said composition comprising:
• (a) at least one polyurethane;
• (b) at least one acrylic polymer or copolymer;
• and
• (c) at least one mineral or organic fillers,
• said composition optionally containing at least one crosslinking agent.

A method of sterilizing an article by exposing it to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength, said method comprising:

• exposing to long-wave ultraviolet, visible or infrared light, a composition comprising, in an organic or inorganic media, at least one phosphor capable of converting said visible or infrared light to UVC radiation or radiation of a shorter wavelength,
• wherein said exposing is performed for a time sufficient to deactivate or kill at least one microorganism chosen from bacteria, virus, mold, protozoa, and yeast;
• and/or for a time sufficient to inhibit abnormal cell growth within the body, when said composition is in an implantable medical device,
• wherein said bacteria is chosen from E. coli, salmonella, staphylococcus, streptococcus, legionella, bacillus, rhodospirillum, mycobacterium, clostridium, dysentery, and tuberculosis, and
• wherein said virus is chosen from bacteriophage, coxsackie, infectious hepatitis, influenza, and rotavirus.