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Claims  |
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That which is claimed is:
1. A method of dispensing an aqueous sterile fluid comprising storing a
quantity of aqueous sterile fluid in a reservoir within a portable
container having an outlet, arranging a porous filter medium within the
container adjacent the outlet, and causing the aqueous sterile fluid to
pass from the reservoir through the porous medium to the outlet, the
porous medium having covalently bonded thereto an antimicrobially
effective amount of an organosilicon quaternary ammonium compound, the
organosilicon quaternary ammonium compound being an organosilane having
the formula selected from the group consisting of consisting of
##STR8##
wherein, in each formula, Y is R or RO where each R is an alkyl radical of
1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydrogen;
a has a value of 0, 1 or 2; R' is a methyl or ethyl radical;
R'' is an alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
R''', R'''' and R.sup.V are each independently selected from a group
consisting of alkyl radicals of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6
H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, --CH.sub.2 OH, and --(CH.sub.2).sub.x
NHC(O)R.sup.vi, wherein x has a value of from 2 to 10 and R.sup.vi is a
perfluoroalkyl radical having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and
X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous fluid is an ophthalmic saline
solution which is free of preservatives.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the wall of the portable container is
constructed of a flexible material in order that the container wall may be
squeezed to force the contents of the container from the reservoir through
the porous filter medium and into the outlet.
4. The method of claim 3 in which the flexible material is selected from
the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylic polymers.
5. The method of claim 4 in which excess aqueous fluid in the outlet
returns to the reservoir through the porous filter medium upon release of
the container wall.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the porous filter medium is constructed of
a fiber strand selected from the group consisting of rayon, wool, nylon,
cotton, silk, cellulose triacetate, polypropylene, polycarbonate,
fiberglass, and polyester.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the porous filter medium is a cellular
foam material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane,
polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the porous filter medium is a high surface
area particulate material selected from the group consisting of silica,
ceramic, sintered metal, and sintered glass.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the porous filter medium is constructed of
a material selected from the group consisting of paper, mesh screen, and
glass beads.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous sterile fluid is selected
from the group consisting of ophthalmic solutions, saline salt solutions,
water delivered medicines, surgical irrigation fluids, water, milk, and
emulsions.
11. The method of claim 1 in which the organosilane is bonded to the outer
surfaces of the portable container.
12. The method of claim 11 in which the organosilane is bonded to the inner
surfaces of the portable container.
13. The method of claim 12 in which the container reservoir includes a
porous material therein and the porous material has the organosilane
bonded thereto.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the porous material having the
organosilane bonded thereto is selected from the group consisting of beads
and fibers.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fiber is a strand selected from the
group consisting of rayon, wool, nylon, cotton, silk, cellulose,
triacetate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, fiberglass, and polyester.
16. The method of claim 1 in which the organosilane is present in an amount
in excess of about 0.5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the
surface treated with the organosilane.
17. The method of claim 16 in which the amount of the organosilane is about
0.75 percent by weight.
18. The method of claim 1 in which the porous medium includes a wetting
agent in addition to the organosilane, the wetting agent being selected
from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants,
and fluorocarbon surfactants.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the organosilane is 3-(trimethoxysilyl)
propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride of the formula
##STR9##
20. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the organosilicon compound has
the formula
##STR10##
wherein each R is an alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydrogen; a
has a value of 0, 1 or 2; R' is a methyl or ethyl radical; R" is an
alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R''', R'''' and R.sup.v are each
independently selected from a group consisting of alkyl radicals of 1 to
18 carbon atoms, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH,
--CH.sub.2 OH, and --(CH.sub.2).sub.x NHC(O)R.sup.vi, wherein x has a
value of from 2 to 1 and R.sup.vi is a perfluoroalkyl radical having from
1 to 12 carbon atoms; X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or
tosylate.
21. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the organosilicon compound has
the formula
##STR11##
22. A device for dispensing an aqueous sterile fluid comprising a portable
container having a reservoir in communication with an outlet, a porous
filter medium within the container adjacent the outlet, the aqueous
sterile fluid passing from the reservoir through the porous medium to the
outlet, the pourous medium having covalently bonded thereto an
antimicrobially effective amount of an organosilicon quaternary ammonium
compound, the organosilicon quaternary ammonium compound being an
organosilane having the forumla selected from the group consisting of
##STR12##
wherein, in each formula, Y is R or RO where each R is an alkyl radical of
1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydrogen;
a has a value of 0, 1 or 2; R' is a methyl or ethyl radical;
R'' is an alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms;
R''', R'''' and R.sup.v are each independently selected from a group
consisting of alkyl radicals of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6
H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH, .dbd.CH.sub.2 OH, and --(CH.sub.2).sub.x
NHC(O)R.sup.vi, wherein x has a value of from 2 to 10 and R.sup.vi is a
perfluoroalkyl radical having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and
X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate.
23. The device of claim 22 wherein the container includes a wall
constructed of a flexible material in order that the container wall may be
squeezed to force the contents of the container from the reservoir through
the porous filter medium and into the outlet.
24. The device of claim 23 in which the flexible material is selected from
the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and acrylic polymers.
25. The device of claim 24 in which excess aqueous fluid in the outlet
returns to the reservoir through the porous filter medium upon release of
the container wall.
26. The device of claim 25 wherein the porous filter medium is constructed
of a fiber strand selected from the group consisting of rayon, wool,
nylon, cotton, silk, cellulose triacetate, polypropylene, polycarbonate,
fiberglass, and polyester.
27. The device of claim 25 wherein the porous filter medium is a cellular
foam material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane,
polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
28. The device of claim 25 wherein the porous filter medium is a high
surface area particulate material selected from the group consisting of
silicon, ceramic, sintered metal, and sintered glass.
29. The device of claim 25 wherein the porous filter medium is constructed
of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, mesh screen,
and glass beads.
30. The device of claim 22 in which the organosilane is chemically bonded
to the outer surfaces of the portable container.
31. The device of claim 30 in which the organosilane is chemically bonded
to the inner surfaces of the portable container.
32. The device of claim 31 in which the container reservoir includes a
porous material therein and the porous material has the organosilane
chemically bonded thereto.
33. The device of claim 32 wherein the porous material having the
organosilane chemically bonded thereto is selected from the group
consisting of beads and fibers.
34. The device of claim 33 wherein the fiber is a strand selected from the
group consisting of rayon, wool, nylon, cotton, silk, cellulose
triacetate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, fiberglass, and polyester.
35. The method of claim 1 in which the organosilane is present in an amount
in excess of about 0.5 percent by weight based on the total weight of the
surface treated with the organosilane.
36. The device of claim 35 in which the amount of the organosilane is about
0.75 percent by weight.
37. The device of claim 22 in which the porous medium includes a wetting
agent in addition to the organosilane, the wetting agent being selected
from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants,
and fluorocarbon surfactants.
38. The device of claim 22 wherein the organosilane is 3-(trimethoxysilyl)
propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride of the formula
##STR13##
39. The device of claim 22 wherein the organosilicon compound has the
formula
##STR14##
wherein each R is an alkyl radical of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or hydrogen; a
has a value of 0, 1 or 2; R' is a methyl or ethyl radical; R" is an
alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R''', R'''' and R.sup.v are each
independently selected from a group consisting of alkyl radicals of 1 to
18 carbon atoms, --CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH,
--CH.sub.2 OH, and --(CH.sub.2).sub.x NHC(O)R.sup.vi, wherein x has a
value of from 2 to 10 and R.sup.vi is a perfluoroalkyl radical having from
1 to 12 carbon atoms; X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or
tosylate.
40. The device of claim 22 wherein the organosilicon compound has the
formula
##STR15## |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of dispensing an opthalmic fluid from a
portable container which includes a porous filter medium having bonded
thereto an antimicrobial agent in order to eliminate contamination by
microbial growth.
An antimicrobial is an agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of
microorganisms. The major classes of microorganisms are bacteria, fungi
including mold and mildew, yeasts, and algae. Microorganisms can be found
in the air, the waters, the human body, soil, wastes, and on all surfaces.
The organisms are deposited from the air, food and drink spills, dust,
dirt and tracked in soil, and from human excreta such as sweat, urine, and
feces. Organisms grow and multiply when there is available a nutrient
source of food such as dirt, organic or inorganic material, and living
tissue. For growth and multiplication, organisms also require warm
temperatures, and moisture. When these conditions exist, microorganisms
thrive and flourish. Microbial growth, however, leads to many problems
such as unpleasant odors ranging from stale to musty and mildew-like, to
putrid and foul smelling, resembling ammonia. The growths also produce
unsightly stains, discoloration, and deterioration of many surfaces and
materials in which they come into contact. A more serious disadvantage of
microbial growth is the production of pathogenic microorganisms, germs,
their metabolic products and their somatic and reproductive cell parts,
which contribute to the spread of disease, infection, and disorders.
Antimicrobial agents are chemical compositions that are used to prevent
such microbiological contaminations by inhibiting, killing and/or removing
them and neutralizing their effects of deterioration, defacement, odor,
disease or other negative effects. Particular areas of application of
antimicrobial agents and compositions are, for example, cosmetics,
disinfectants, sanitizers, wood preservation, food, animal feed, cooling
water, metalworking fluids, hospital and medical uses, plastics and
resins, petroleum, pulp and paper, textiles, latex, adhesives, leather and
hides, and paint slurries. In the area of medical applications,
antimicrobials are often used as powders, in lotions, creams, ointments
and/or delivered in a variety of solvents or directly as over-the-counter
or ethical drugs to alleviate, mediate, cure and/or protect people or
other animals from disease or cosmetic conditions. Of the diverse
categories of antimicrobial agents and compositions, quaternary ammonium
compounds represent one of the largest of the classes of antimicrobial
agents in use. At low concentrations, quaternary ammonium type
antimicrobial agents are bacteriostatic, fungistatic, algistatic,
sporostatic, and tuberculostatic. At medium concentrations they are
bactericidal, fungicidal, algicidal, and viricidal against lipophilic
viruses. Organosilicon quaternary ammonium salt compounds are well known
as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,385, issued Feb. 2, 1971, and the
use of such compounds as antimicrobial agents is taught, for example, in a
wide variety of patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,730,701, issued May 1,
1973, and 3,817,739, issued June 18, 1974, where the compounds are used to
inhibit algae; 3,794,736, issued Feb. 26, 1974, and 3,860,709, issued Jan.
14, 1975, where they are employed for sterilizing or disinfecting a
variety of surfaces and instruments; and 3,865,728, issued Feb. 11, 1975,
where the compounds are used to treat aquarium filters. PCT Application
No. 8601457, published Jan. 15, 1987, teaches that microorganisms on
multi-cellular plants and fruit can be killed by the application thereto
of an aqueous mixture of a surfactant and an organosilicon quaternary
ammonium compound. U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,456, issued Jan. 14, 1986,
discloses organosilanes as anti-scale agents in water systems. In a
particular application of an antimicrobial organosilicon quaternary
ammonium compound, a paper substrate is rendered resistant to the growth
of microorganisms in U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,366, issued Aug. 4, 1981. In U.S.
Pat. No. 4,504,541, issued Mar. 12, 1985, an antimicrobial fabric is
disclosed which is resistant to discoloration and yellowing by treatment
of the fabric with a quaternary ammonium base containing an organosilicon
compound. U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,974, issued Nov. 1, 1988, relates to wet
wiper towelettes having an antimicrobial agent substantive to the fibers
of the web and being an organosilicon quaternary ammonium compound. In
U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,013, issued Aug. 21, 1984, such compounds are
disclosed to be useful in surgical drapes, gowns, dressings, and bandages.
Organosilicon quaternary ammonium compounds have been employed in carpets,
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,577, issued Feb. 1, 1983; applied to walls, added
to paints, and sprayed into shoes, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,378, issued July
19, 1983; applied to polyethylene surfaces and used in pillow ticking in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,511, issued Jan. 26, 1988; in flexible polyurethane
foams of fine-celled, soft, resilient articles of manufacture in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,631,297, issued Dec. 23, 1986; and mixed with a surfactant in
British Pat. No. 1,386,876, of Mar. 12, 1975. Some general, more domestic
type applications of these compounds, has included their use in a
dentifrice as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,518 issued July 17, 1979; in a novel
laundry detergent in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,854, issued Dec. 10, 1985; as a
hair conditioner in U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,039, issued Jan. 28, 1986; and in
a soft contact lens disinfectant solution in U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,882,
issued Oct. 7, 1986. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,675, issued Sept. 30, 1986,
properties can be influenced by mixing the organosilicon quaternary
ammonium compounds with certain siloxanes.
Other typical uses of organosilicon quaternary ammonium compounds in
accordance with the prior art can be seen from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,005,028,
issued on Jan. 25, 1977, and relating to hard surface rinse aids and
detergents. Contact lenses are treated with an organosilane in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,472,327, issued Sept. 18, 1984. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,992, issued
July 28, 1987, glass spheres are treated with the compounds and employed
as filters. The compounds are used to treat swine dysentery in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,772,593, issued Sept. 20, 1988; applied to a polyester fabric in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,667, issued Apr. 18, 1989; and adhered to a polyamide
filament in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,019, issued May 30, 1989. In Canadian
Patent No. 1,217,004, granted Jan. 27, 1987, organosilane quaternary
ammonium compounds are formulated into bleaches that are applied to hard
surfaces such as bath tubs, wash basins, toilets, drains, and ceramic tile
floors.
Among the numerous attempts to alleviate the | | |
