METHODS AND DEVICES FOR EVALUATING TEST FORMULATIONS TO DETERMINE BIOLOGICAL AGENT LOG REDUCTION/REMOVAL ON A SURFACE

1 . A method for testing pathogen reduction/removal comprising:

providing a pathogen test device;

wherein the pathogen test device has

a base;

a wiping block;

wherein the wiping block is configured to move back and forth in a linear motion with respect to the base; and

a tray;

a coupon recess located in the tray;

an access recess located in the tray;

securing a wiping substrate to the wiping block;

providing a coupon that has a pathogen on a surface of the coupon;

placing the coupon in the coupon recess;

applying a test product to the coupon;

allowing the test product to remain on the coupon for a set time period;

causing the wiping block to move back-and-forth across the surface of the coupon;

applying a selected constant downward force to the surface of the coupon during the back- and forth movement of the wiping block;

inserting at least a portion of a coupon removal tool in the access recess and removing the coupon;

placing the coupon in a neutralizer solution; and

determining a log reduction and/or removal of the pathogen from the surface of the coupon.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a second coupon;

wherein the second coupon has the pathogen applied to a surface of the second coupon;

placing the second coupon in a second coupon recess;

wherein the test product is applied to the surface of the second coupon;

wherein the wiping block is configured to move in a back and forth motion over the second coupon recess;

allowing the test product to remain on the surface of the second coupon for a set period of time;

placing the second coupon in a neutralizing solution;

determining the log reduction and/or removal of pathogen from the surface of the second coupon; and

comparing the log reduction and/or removal of pathogen from the surface of the coupon with the log reduction and/or removal of pathogen from a second coupon.

3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a coupon having a surface that is non-metallic.

4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a coupon having a surface that is a laminate material.

5 . The method of claim 1 further comprising providing one or more weights for applying the selected constant downward force on the wiping block.

6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising creating a coupon recess that has a depth that is equal to a thickness of the coupon.

7 . The method of claim 1 causing the wiping block to move across the surface of the coupon three or more times.

8 . The method of claim 1 the coupon is made of a first material and further comprising a second coupon made of a second material and placing the second coupon in a second coupon recess.

9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising placing a second coupon in a second coupon recess, wherein the second coupon is sterilized.

10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the wiping block moves back and forth over both the surface of the first coupon and the surface of the second coupon.

11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising determining a pathogen transfer on the second coupon.

12 . A pathogen test device comprising:

a base;

a track;

a trolley;

a support arm connected to the trolley;

a wiping block;

the wiping block connected to the support arm with a pivot member;

a tray;

the tray having one or more coupon recesses for holding a coupon;

the tray having one or more access recesses, wherein the one or more access recesses intersect with the one or more coupon recesses;

wherein the one or more access recesses are configured to allow a coupon removal tool to engage the coupon to remove a coupon from the one or more coupon recesses;

wherein the trolley travels in a back-and-forth linear motion along the track; and

wherein the wiping block travels back and forth over the one or more coupon recesses; and

wherein a selected constant downward force is applied to a surface of a coupon.

13 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 further comprising a weight for providing the selected constant downward force.

14 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 further comprising a load cell.

15 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 further comprising a force actuator.

16 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 wherein the one or more access recesses extend through the tray.

17 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 wherein the one or more coupon recesses have a depth that is the same depth as a thickness of the coupon.

18 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 wherein the coupon is made of a non-metallic material.

19 . The pathogen test device of claim 12 wherein the coupon is a laminate material.

20 . A tray for a pathogen test device comprising:

a base;

one or more coupon recesses for holding a test coupon that has a surface with a pathogen thereon;

wherein the one or more recesses are in a first surface of the base

wherein the one or more coupon recesses have a depth that is the same as the thickness of a test coupon;

one or more access recesses;

wherein the one or more access recesses intersect with the one or more coupon recesses;

wherein the one or more access recesses are configured to allow a coupon removal tool to engage the coupon to remove a coupon from the one or more coupon recesses.