IP Library Granted Patent US 7,491,362
Granted Patent B1
US 7,491,362 · App. 12/020,883 · Granted Feb 17, 2009

Multiple enzyme cleaner for surgical instruments and endoscopes

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,491,362
App. No.
12/020,883
Granted
Feb 17, 2009
Kind
B1
Abstract

The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficiacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility.

Claims (29)

1. A liquid detergent concentrate composition comprising:

a) 1 to 30 wt.-% of a low-foam surfactant system comprising at least two different nonionic surfactants, wherein one surfactant (i) is selected from the group consisting of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol and an oxo alcohol of the formula R 1 —A—OH, wherein R 1 is a linear or branched C 10 to C 16 alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein A is —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —(OC 3 H 6 ) y — or —(OC 3 H 6 ) y —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —, and x is in the range from 7 to 9, and y is in the range from 1 to 3, and has a cloud point at a temperature in the range from 64 to 70° C., and the second surfactant (ii) is selected from the group consisting of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol and an oxo alcohol of the formula R 2 —A—OH, wherein R 2 is a linear or branched C 12 to C 15 alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein A is —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —(OC 3 H 6 ) y — or —(OC 3 H 6 ) y —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —, and x is in the range from 1 to 3, and y is in the range from 4 to 6, and has a cloud point at a temperature in the range from 39 to 41° C.;

b) at least two different proteases;

c) a lipase;

d) optionally an amylase;

e) 10 to 70 wt.-% water; and

f) an enzyme stabilizer.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the surfactant (i) is selected from the group consisting of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol and an oxo alcohol of the formula R 1 —A—OH, wherein R 1 is a linear or branched C 10 to C 16 alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein A is —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —(OC 3 H 6 ) y — or —(OC 3 H 6 ) y —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —, and x is 8, and y is in the range from 1 to 2, and the surfactant (ii) is selected from the group consisting of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol and an oxo alcohol of the formula R 2 —A—OH, wherein R 2 is a linear or branched C 12 to C 15 alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein A is —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —(OC 3 H 6 ) y — or —(OC 3 H 6 ) y —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —, and x is 2, and y is 5.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the sum of nonionic surfactant is present in a concentration ranging from 1 to 20 wt.-%.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein when the concentrate is diluted to form a use composition the use composition is low-foaming and essentially clear at a temperature in the range from 0 to 55° C.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein each of the different at least two proteases is a serine endopeptidase.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the water is present in a concentration of 50 wt.-% or less.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the enzyme stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of a boron compound and a calcium salt.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the enzyme stabilizer is a boron compound selected from the group consisting of boronic acid, boric acid, borate, polyborate and combinations thereof and wherein the boron compound is present in a concentration ranging from about 0.2% to about 10% by weight.

9. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising an alkanolamine selected from the group consisting of monoalkanolamine, dialkanolamine, trialkanolamine, alkylalkanolamine, trialkylamine, triethanolamine and combinations thereof, in a concentration ranging from about 1% to about 10 wt.-%.

10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one alkanol, wherein the alkanol is soluble or miscible with water and lipids, and comprises a C 1 to C 10 alkyl group that is straight or branched, substituted or non-substituted.

11. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a metal corrosion inhibitor present in a concentration ranging from about 0.050 to about 1 wt.-%.

12. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a silicone-based anti-foam component.

13. The composition of claim 1 , having a pH in the range from 5.5 to 9.0.

14. A method of cleaning instruments or endoscopes comprising:

(a) contacting the instrument or endoscope with an effective amount of the liquid detergent composition comprising

1 to 30 wt.-% of a low-foam surfactant system comprising at least two different nonionic surfactants, wherein one surfactant (i) is selected from the group consisting of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol and an oxo alcohol of the formula R 1 —A—OH, wherein R 1 is a linear or branched C 10 to C 16 alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein A is —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —(OC 3 H 6 ) y — or —(OC 3 H 6 ) y —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —, and x is in the range from 7 to 9, and y is in the range from 1 to 3, and has a cloud point at a temperature in the range from 64 to 70° C., and the second surfactant (ii) is selected from the group consisting of a linear alkoxylated fatty alcohol and an oxo alcohol of the formula R 2 —A—OH, wherein R 2 is a linear or branched C 12 to C 15 alkyl or alkenyl group, wherein A is —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —(OC 3 H 6 ) y — or —(OC 3 H 6 ) y —(OC 2 H 4 ) x —, and x is in the range from 1 to 3, and y is in the range from 4 to 6, and has a cloud point at a temperature in the range from 39 to 41° C.;

at least two different proteases;

lipase;

optionally amylase;

10 to 70 wt.-% water; and

enzyme stabilizers; and

(b) removing substantially all undesirable foreign matter from the instrument or endoscope; and

(c) rinsing the instruments or endoscope.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2021
From: ECOLAB, INC.
To: ECOLAB USA INC.
Reel/Frame 056988/0177 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2008
From: GERET, LAURENCE; STINGL, CAROLA; DENZIN, SILKE
To: ECOLAB INC.
Reel/Frame 020697/0479 →