Multi-chamber hypochlorous acid dispenser
The invention provides a skin disinfectant for treating skin with eczema, preventing bacterial proliferation, and removing biofilm. Compositions of the invention include hypochlorous acid, acetic acid, water, and one or more additives or excipients. The formulation process removes metal ions, reduces ionic strength, controls pH, and reduces exposure to air, thus improving stability and lengthening shelf-life.
1. A system for storing and producing hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the system comprising:
a container from which air has been purged, the container comprising a first compartment, a second compartment, a third compartment, and a fourth compartment, wherein the first compartment contains a compound that generates a hypochlorite anion (OCl—) in the presence of water, the second compartment contains a compound that generates a proton (H+) in the presence of water, and the third compartment contains water;
a first one-way valve that permits fluid flow from the first compartment to the fourth compartment;
a second one-way valve that permits fluid flow from the second compartment to the fourth compartment; and
a third one-way valve that permits fluid flow from the third compartment to the fourth compartment.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first compartment contains water.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second compartment contains water.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the second compartment contains at least one buffering agent.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the water has a buffering capacity from about pH 3.5 to about pH 9.0.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the buffering agent comprises acetic buffer or phosphate buffer.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fourth compartment contains water.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first compartment comprises walls of an opaque material.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third one-way valves are configured to permit flow from the first, second, and third compartments into the fourth compartment in response to an increase in pressure within the first, second, and third compartments.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first, second, and third one-way valves are configured to permit flow from the first, second, and third compartments into the fourth compartment at a defined ratio in response to an increase in pressure within the first, second, and third compartments.
11. The system of claim 9 , further comprising a member configured to increase pressure within the first, second, and third compartments upon user manipulation.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first, second, and third compartments comprise walls of a flexible material configured to allow an increase in internal pressure of the first, second, and third compartments in response to a force administered to an outside surface of the first, second, and third compartments.
13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth one-way valve that permits fluid flow from the fourth compartment to an exterior of the container.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the fourth compartment is configured to direct its contents to the exterior of the container in response to an increase in pressure within the fourth compartment.
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising a member configured to increase pressure within the fourth compartment upon user manipulation.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the fourth compartment comprises walls of a flexible material configured to allow an increase in internal pressure of the third compartment in response to a force administered to an outside surface of the fourth compartment.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compound that generates a proton comprises an organic acid.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the organic acid comprises acetic acid.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the compound that generates a hypochlorite anion (OCl—) comprises sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Mg(OCl)2, or Ca(OCl)2.
20. The system of claim 1 , configured to produce hypochlorous acid (HOCl) having a pH from about 4.5 to about 7.5 in the fourth compartment after introduction into the fourth compartment of the compound that generates a hypochlorite anion and the compound that generates a proton from the first and second compartments respectively.
21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the container is a spray bottle.