Cleaning composition and apparatus for removing biofilm and debris from lines and tubing and method therefor

Abstract

Biofilm and debris can be removed from the interior and exterior surfaces of small bore tubing by passing an aqueous cleaning solution of water, one or more surfactants and preferably a source of hydrogen peroxide, optionally including small inert solid particles, together with a gas under pressure, to create a turbulent flow within the tubing that loosens the biofilm and debris so that they can be flushed from the tubing. When the exterior surfaces of tubing are to be cleaned, the tubing is inserted in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor that provides a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve.

1 . An aqueous cleaning solution that removes biofilm and debris from the walls of tubing for dental and medical uses comprises water and a surfactant admixed with air under pressure.  
   
   
       2 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein said solution additionally includes a source of hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       3 . A composition according to  claim 2  wherein said hydrogen peroxide is present in an amount of up to about 15% by weight.  
   
   
       4 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein said solution additionally includes inert particles having a particle size of from 10-100 microns.  
   
   
       5 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein said inert particles are present in an amount of up to about 10% by weight of said solution.  
   
   
       6 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein said surfactant is present in an amount up to about 5% by weight.  
   
   
       7 . A method of removing biofilm from the interior surfaces of tubing exposed to aqueous solutions comprising mixing an aqueous solution of water and a surfactant with a gas under pressure so as to form a turbulent mixture in said tubing for a time sufficient to loosen said biofilm, and flushing the tubing to remove the biofilm.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said aqueous solution further includes a source of hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said aqueous solution further includes up to 10% by weight of inert solid particles.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein said gas under pressure is pulsed at intervals of about 0.5 to 1 second.  
   
   
       11 . In a dental unit comprising a source of compressed air, a source of water, and a small bore tubing that passes said water and air to a nozzle for delivery of the pressurized air and water to a patient, the improvement which comprises a mixing container for mixing a cleaning solution of water and a surfactant with the pressurized air and delivering the pressurized cleaning solution to said tubing.  
   
   
       12 . A dental unit according to  claim 11  wherein said cleaning solution further includes a source of hydrogen peroxide.  
   
   
       13 . A method of cleaning the interior surface of endoscopy tubing comprising 
 a) forming a cleaning solution from water, up to 5% of a surfactant and up to 15% of a source of hydrogen peroxide,    b) mixing the cleaning solution with a gas under pressure of up to about 100 psi,    c) providing an adaptor to pass the mixture to the internal surfaces of the tubing, and    d) passing said pressurized cleaning solution to the internal surfaces of said tubing.    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said surfactants include a cationic surfactant.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said surfactants include nonionic and anionic surfactants.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein prior to step a), the interior surfaces of the tubing are soaked in water.  
   
   
       17 . A method of cleaning the exterior surfaces of endoscopy tubing comprising 
 a) encapsulating said tubing in a sleeve fitted with an adaptor to provide a pressure-tight seal between the tubing and the sleeve,    b) forming a cleaning solution comprising water, up to 5% by weight of a surfactant and up to 15% by weight of a source of hydrogen peroxide,    c) mixing said cleaning solution with a gas under pressure of up to about 100 psi, and    d) passing the pressurized cleaning solution between the exterior surface of the tubing and said sleeve.    
   
   
       18 . Apparatus for removing biofilm and debris from waterlines comprising 
 a source of gas under pressure;    a source of an aqueous cleaning solution including one or more surfactants and solid particles;    means for delivering said gas to said waterlines and means for introducing that quantity of said cleaning solution to said waterlines in a ratio so as to form a turbulent two-phase flow of gas and liquid having a velocity sufficient to loosen the biofilm and debris from said waterlines and flush them away.