Disinfection agent for suction systems used in the field of medicine or dentistry

1. A method of disinfecting a medical or dental suction hose comprising:

a) sucking a thickened, ready-to-use disinfectant composition into an interior suction region of the medical or dental suction hose so as to form a substantially even layer along an inside of the suction hose, the composition having a pH value of from 9 to 12, the composition comprising:

(i) an active substance having the formula

wherein R 1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms and R 2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an amino alkyl group with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and Glucoprotamin; and

(ii) a cellulosic thickener present in an amount sufficient to provide a viscosity between 350 and 1000 mPas when measured by a Brookfield digital viscometer at 20° C. using spindle no. 2 at a rotation of 12 revolutions per minute;

b) allowing the composition to stay in the interior suction region of the suction hose a period of time, wherein the pH of the composition during this period of time remains from 9 to 12; and

c) rinsing the suction hose with water.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active substance is selected from the group consisting of Glucoprotamin, N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)laurylamine, N-dodecyl-1,3-propanediamine, N-coco-1,3-propanediamine, and mixtures thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active substance is present from about 0.01 to about 30 wt. %.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active substance is present from about 0.01 to about 15 wt. %.

5. The method of claim 1 , the composition further comprising a second active substance comprising a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula

wherein R 5 represents an alkyl group with 6 to 16 carbon atoms, R 6 is selected from the group consisting of a alkyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and a benzyl group, and R 7 and R 8 are selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a hydroxyl alkyl group with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and A − represents a charge compensating anion.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second active substance is selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride and dimethyldioctylammonium chloride.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second active substance is present from about 0.01 to about 30 wt. %.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second active substance is present from about 0.1 to about 15 wt. %.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a pH from 9 to 11.

10. The method of claim 1 , the composition further comprising a component selected from the group consisting of dyes, fragrances, anti foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors, sequesterants or chelating agents, additional surfactants, diluting agents, enzymes, preservatives, oxidation agents, and mixtures thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective at destroying a microorganism selected from the group consisting of a bacteria, a fungus, and mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective at destroying mycobacteria.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is allowed to stay in the interior suction region of the suction hose for at least about 1 minute.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is allowed to stay in the interior suction region of the suction hose for at least about 60 minutes.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is allowed to stay in the interior suction region of the suction hose for at least about 5 minutes.

16. A method of disinfecting a medical or dental suction apparatus comprising:

sucking a thickened, ready-to-use disinfectant composition into the medical or dental suction apparatus, the composition having a pH value of from 9 to 12 and a viscosity of between about 350 and 1000 mPas, the composition comprising:

(i) an active substance having the formula

wherein R 1 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms and R 2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an amino alkyl group with 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and Glucoprotamin; and

(ii) a thickener;

b) allowing the composition to stay in the suction apparatus for at least about 5 minutes; and

c) rinsing the suction apparatus with water.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the composition is allowed to stay in the suction apparatus for at least about 30 minutes.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the suction apparatus is a suction hose having an interior suction region, and said introducing step comprises introducing the composition into the interior suction region so as to form a substantially even layer along an inside of the suction hose.