Biofilm extracellular polysachharide solvating system

Abstract

The invention provides a solvating system for the removal of biofilms which solvates the extracellular polysaccharide matrix holding it to a surface. The aqueous solvating system comprises water, a metal ion sequestering agent, and a solvating agent for an extracellular polysaccharide matrix, which is gentle enough to be used directly on human tissues, but which may also be used on hard or soft non-tissue surfaces to breakdown, and/or remove biofilms.

1 . A solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms from a surface or contained system or both, said system comprising a solution of water, an metal ion sequestering agent, and a solvating agent for an extracellular polysaccharide matrix.  
   
   
       2 . An aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 1  wherein said metal ion sequestering agent is a mild acid having a molarity of at least about 0.05 molar.  
   
   
       3 . An aqueous solvating system for breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 2  wherein said sequestering agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, mandelic acid, 2-ketoglutaric acid, acetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, mucic acid, clycolic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, aspartic acid, phosphoric acid, pyruvic acid, chloroacetic acid, oxalic acid, oxamic acid, malic acid, dichloroacetic acid, phenylacetic acid, benzylic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, chloromandelic acid, glutamic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, boric acid, adipic acid, formic acid, glucuronic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, benzoyl acid, formic acid, pthalic acid, ketopimelic acid, and hydrochloric acid.  
   
   
       4 . An aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 1  wherein said solvating agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and zwitterionic surfactants.  
   
   
       5 . An aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 1  wherein said system has a pH of from greater than 5 to about 8.5.  
   
   
       6 . An aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 5  wherein said solvating agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and zwitterionic surfactants.  
   
   
       7 . An aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 5  wherein said system comprises saline.  
   
   
       8 . A solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both from human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems, said system comprising an aqueous solution comprising water, a metal ion sequestering agent, and a solvating agent for an extracellular polysaccharide matrix.  
   
   
       9 . An aqueous solvating system for breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both from human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems according to  claim 8  wherein said metal ion sequestering agent is a mild acid having a molarity of at least about 0.05 molar.  
   
   
       10 . A solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both from human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems according to  claim 8  wherein said solvating agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and zwitterionic surfactants.  
   
   
       11 . A solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both from human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems according to  claim 8  wherein said sequestering agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, mandelic acid, 2-ketoglutaric acid, acetic acid, iminodiacetic acid, mucic acid, clycolic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, aspartic acid, phosphoric acid, pyruvic acid, chloroacetic acid, oxalic acid, oxamic acid, malic acid, dichloroacetic acid, phenylacetic acid, benzylic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, chloromandelic acid, glutamic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, boric acid, adipic acid, formic acid, glucuronic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, benzoyl acid, formic acid, pthalic acid, ketopimelic acid, and hydrocholoric acid  
   
   
       12 . A solvating system for the removal of biofilms from human tissue, bone or prosthetic systems according to  claim 11  wherein said solvating agent is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates and aryl sulfonates.  
   
   
       13 . A solvating system for the removal of biofilms from human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems according to  claim 8  wherein said solution has a pH of from greater than 5 to about 8.5.  
   
   
       14 . An aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both from human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems according to  claim 8  wherein said system comprises saline.  
   
   
       15 . A method or procedure for use of an aqueous solvating system for the breakdown of biofilm matrices, removal of biofilms or both according to  claim 1  wherein a solution of said system is applied to human tissue, bone, or prosthetic systems.  
   
   
       16 . A method of use according to  claim 15  wherein said solution is applied in the form of a spray, liquid, or gel.  
   
   
       17 . A method of use according to  claim 15  wherein said solution is applied to nasal passages and sinuses.  
   
   
       18 . A method of use according to  claim 17  wherein said solution is applied to persons with rhinosinusitius.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein said solution is applied in the form of a spray, liquid, or gel.  
   
   
       20 . A method of treatment of medical disorders by removal of biofilms from human tissues, bone, or prosthetic systems, said method comprising: 
 a. providing an aqueous solvating system solution according to  claim 1 ,    b. applying said solution directly to said human tissue comprising said biofilm thereon,    c. removing said solution by means selected from draining, flushing, aspiration and rinsing.    
   
   
       21 . A method of treating rhinosinusitis, otitis, and dental disorders comprising the steps of: 
 a. providing an aqueous solvating system solution according to  claim 1 ,    b. applying said solution directly to a human tissue selected from nasal passages, sinuses, internal and external ears, gums, tongue, and teeth, and    c. allowing said solution to drain out of said human tissue.