An alcohol based hand surgical scrub, which includes cationic anti-microbial agent preservatives, cationic polymer film-forming agents and a skin emollient, and provides a long term residual, anti-microbial "invisible glove" on the skin. The composition provides an immediate reduction in bacterial microbes. The polymer system creates an invisible film on the skin following solvent evaporation. This invisible film provides a lasting anti-microbial barrier on the skin which acts to prevent microbial growth.

Description of the Invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an alcohol based hand surgical scrub, which includes dual anti-microbial agent preservatives, cationic polymer film-forming agents and provides a long term residual, anti-microbial "invisible glove" on the skin. The composition desirably comprises an alcohol, anti-microbial agent which prevents the growth of bacteria and a polymer system to form a barrier on the skin. The polymer system creates an invisible film on the skin following solvent evaporation. This invisible film provides a lasting anti-microbial barrier on the skin.

The composition desirably includes an alcohol, a positive charged anti-microbial agent, skin emollients and lubricants and a film-forming polymer system. The composition may also include one or both of methyl and propyl parabens and silicone. The anti-microbial agents prevent bacteria from growing back to the baseline of the normal skin flora population. The surgical scrub composition contains chemical ingredients to remove extraneous matter and organisms from the hands. Skin emollients and lubricants are also provided to prevent the defatting effect of the alcohol, thereby eliminating the dry, chapped feeling on the skin. Additional or complimentary anti-microbial agents are preferably included to serve as preservative and persistent active agents. These anti-microbial agents in the composition will improve the anti-microbial characteristics of the formulation and provide a long-term residual activity for the skin. As previously noted, the polymer system is included to create an invisible film after the solvent is evaporated. This invisible film acts as a physical anti-microbial barrier or "glove" to protect the healthcare worker's hands. This film has an anti-microbial effect at least for six hours to prevent and kill the bacteria on the healthcare worker's hands.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

This invention may be satisfied by embodiments in many different forms, and is not limited to any specific or preferred embodiments of the invention, which are merely exemplary of the principles of the invention. Various other modifications will be apparent to and readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention will be measured by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The surgical scrub composition of the present invention includes alcohol, a positive-charged anti-microbial agent, skin emollients and lubricants, and a cationic polymer film-forming thickening agent.

One or more alcohols are utilized in the surgical scrub composition due to alcohol's well known germicidal properties. Alcohols which may be used in the present composition include isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and n-propanol. In the most preferred embodiment, ethyl alcohol is used. Preferably, alcohol is present in the surgical scrub composition in an amount from about 60 to about 95 weight percent, and most preferably, at about 71 weight percent.

Emollients are utilized in the surgical scrub composition of the present invention to lessen the drying effect of the alcohol on the skin. A preferred emollient is isopropyl palmitate, which is an ester emollient available from Amerchol Corporation of Edison, N.J. When used on the skin, isopropyl palmitate leaves a soft, non-sticky feel to the skin. Isopropyl palmitate is a lipophillic emollient, an oily, fatty substance which is water insoluble. Lanolin and its derivatives are a large group of fatty materials with active emollient properties that can be utilized as emulsifiers or lubricants in the composition.

The preferred embodiment includes glycerin as a hydrophilic emollient and a humectant to maintain the water in equilibrium. Glycerin is available from Spectrum Quality products. Glycerin is a water and alcohol soluble emollient that provides skin conditioning properties to the composition. In another embodiment, propylene glycol may be substituted for glycerin. Preferably, glycerin is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 5%, and most preferably, about 1.4%.

The surgical scrub composition further includes a silicone fluid. Preferably, the silicone fluid is dimethicone copolyol, cyclomethicone and dimethicone. Most preferably, dimethicone is utilized. Dimethicone 350 is commercially available from General Electric Corporation. Silicone fluids provide good lubricating, aesthetic and occlusive action on the skin. Silicone fluids not only lubricate the skin surface, they also act as a gas barrier to reduce water vapor transmission. Silicone fluids are water and gas insoluble. Preferably, the silicone fluid is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from 0 to about 5%, and most preferably, about 0.03%.

Most hydrocarbons are derived from petrolatum crude by a fractional distillation process. Such hydrocarbons function as emollients due to their ability to lubricate and hold water at the skin surface due to their relative occlusivity. Mineral oil and isopropyl palmitate are included in the most preferred embodiment. Despite its lack of aesthetic properties, petrolatum may be utilized. Alternatively or additionally, lanolin derivatives may be included. Preferably, mineral oil is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from 0 to about 5%, and most preferably, about 0.2%. Preferably, isopropyl palmitate is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0.1% to about 5%, and most preferably about 0.4%.

Preferably, the surgical scrub composition includes about 0.1% to about 5% of an emollient or emollients.

An anti-microbial agent is included in the surgical scrub composition to kill microorganisms and prevent or inhibit their growth and reproduction. In the absence of an antimicrobial agent, microbial flora will grow on the skin following alcohol evaporation. The antimicrobial agents present in the surgical scrub composition are selected to be compatible with the chemical and physical properties of the skin. In addition, the antimicrobial agent should be non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

As previously noted, the alcohol component of the surgical scrub composition is an excellent antimicrobial agent. It also acts as a preservative. However, following application of the surgical scrub composition, the alcohol will evaporate from the skin over time. In the most preferred embodiment, the residue remaining on the skin following alcohol evaporation will include an amount of an antimicrobial agent which also acts as a preservative. Suitable antimicrobial agents which act as preservatives may be selected from the class of phenols including para-chloro-meta-xylenol, bis-biguanides such as chlorhexidine digluconate, chlorhexidine diacetate or quaterium class such as benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride. Chloroxylenol, triclosan, hexachlorophenes, octenidine and quarternary compounds may be included. Hexetidine, germaben II, kathon CG, triclosan are other antimicrobial agents may also be suitable as preservatives. Benzethonium chloride and benalkonium chloride (as hyamine 3500) are available from Lonza Inc., chlorhexidine digluconate is available from Xttrium Laboratories, germaben II is available from Sutton Laboratories. In a most preferred embodiment, benzethonium chloride, chlorhexidine digluconate (20%) and benzelkonium chloride (80%) are present. Preferably, benzethonium chloride is present in the scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0.05% to about 5%, and most preferably, about 0.09%. Preferably, chlorhexidine digluconate (20%) is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0.05% to about 5%, and most preferably about 0.45%. Preferably, benzalkonium chloride (80%) is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from 0 to about 5%, and most preferably, about 0.09%. Preferably, the composition includes about 0% to about 5% of an anti-microbial agent.

Methylparaben and propylparaben (both available from Mallinckrodt Chemical Company) are desirably included in the surgical scrub composition as preservatives. These are further desired for their moisturizing and film forming characteristics. Preferably, methylparaben is contained in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0 to about 5%, and most preferably about 0.03%. Preferably, propylparaben is present in the surgical scrub, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0 to about 5%, and most preferably, about 0.03%. One or both of these compositions are preferably included in the amount of about 0% to about 5% of the surgical scrub composition.

To create the desired residual film of the surgical scrub composition, cationic polymer thickening agents are employed. Thickening agents must be soluble in the alcohol and compatible with cationic ingredients. The cationic polymer thickening agents are preferably present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in the amount of about 0.1% to about 5%.

Incroquat behenyl TMS is most preferably used as a cationic polymer. It is a strong conditioning agent and an outstanding cationic emulsifier. This composition bonds to the skin due to the skin's negative charge. Incroquat behenyl TMS is a compound of 25% active solution of behenyl trimonium methosulfate in cetearyl alcohol and is available in flaked/pastel form and supplied by Croda Inc. Incroquat CR concentrate is preferably used as an additional cationic polymer. Incroquat CR concentrate is available from Croda Inc. and is comprised of cetearyl alcohol, castor oil and stearalkonium chloride. This composition is a one-part formulating aid. It is a conditioner and self-emulsifier. The desired combination of the incroquat behenyl TMS and incroquat CR concentrate provides a smooth feel to the skin and neutralizes the static charge of the human skin. Preferably, incroquat BTMS is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0.1% to about 5%, and most preferably about 0.4%. Preferably, incroquat CR is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from 0 to about 5%, and most preferably about 0.1%.

Alternative or additional polymers include cellulose, polyvinylpyrolidone and waxes.

The most preferred embodiment of the surgical scrub composition is as follows -- see Original Patent.

The most preferred embodiment includes the additional components 1-Docosanol as a moisturizer and film forming substance, PEG-10 behenyl ether as a moisturizer, fragrance and water. Preferably, 1-Docosanol is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0.1% to about 5%, and most preferably about 1%. Preferably, PEG-10 behenyl ether is present in the surgical scrub composition, by weight percent of the entire composition, in an amount from about 0.1% to about 5%, and most preferably about 1.5%. Preferably, purified water is present in the surgical scrub composition, in an amount from about 1% to about 35%, and most preferably about 23%.

The surgical scrub composition does not cause skin irritation or sensitization. Additional advantages of the composition include its compatibility with positive-charged anti-microbial agents such as chlorhexidine digluconate, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the anti-microbial agent or agents. The included skin emollients and lubricants eliminate skin drying or chapping. These compositions counteract the defatting effect of the alcohol.

The surgical scrub composition includes anti-microbial agents, which act as both persistent active agents and suitable preservatives. This composition permits a very small amount of an anti-microbial agent to improve anti-microbial activities and provide long-term residual activity for the skin.

Traditionally, healthcare workers have scrubbed prior to every surgical procedure. An improved method may be to apply water to the skin, perform hand scrubbing at the beginning of the day using a scrub brush and anti-microbial scrub solution, rinsing the anti-microbial scrub solution with water, and then utilization of the composition of the present invention prior to subsequent surgical procedures. A high level of hand antisepsis can be achieved via this method without abrasive scrubbing multiple times a day.
 

Claim 1 of 2 Claims

1. A surgical scrub composition comprising, in weight percent of the total composition: (a) from about 0.1% to about 5% of 1-docosanol; (b) from about 0.05% to about 5% of chlorhexidine digluconate; (c) from about 60% to about 95% of alcohol; (d) from about 0.1% to about 5% of glycerin; (e) from about 0.1% to about 5% of a 25% active solution of behenyl trimethyl ammonium methosulfate in cetearyl alcohol; (f) from about 0.1% to about 5% of isopropyl palmitate; (g) from about 0.03% to about 5% of a preservative selected from the group consisting of methylparaben and propylparaben; and (h) from about 1% to about 35% of purified water.

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