Method and Composition For Use In Preparation of a Patient For Surgery

Abstract

Composition for application to skin comprising a biocide or combination of biocides (such as chlorhexidine, halogenated phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds; povidone-iodine; zinc pyridinethione; alcohols etc) and at least one transcutaneous vehicle (for example alkyl methyl sulfoxides, alkyl pyrrolidones, glycols, glycol ethers and glycol esters) effective to convey the biocide to a sub epidermal “resident” micro-organism. Also a method for preparing a patient for surgery comprising the step of treating an area of the patient's skin at, and in the surrounding the vicinity of, the site of an intended surgical incision with a composition effective to kill more than 93% of both “transient” and “resident” micro-organisms.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A composition for application to skin comprising at least one biocide and at least one transcutaneous vehicle effective to convey the biocide to a resident micro-organism. 
     
     
         25 . A composition according to  claim 24  wherein at least one subcutaneous vehicle is selected from the group consisting of alkyl methyl sulfoxides, alkyl pyrrolidones, glycols, glycol ethers and glycol esters. 
     
     
         26 . A composition according to  claim 25  wherein the at least one vehicle includes an alkyl pyrrolidone, a glycol or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . A composition according to  claim 24  wherein the at least one vehicle includes dimethylsulfoxide. 
     
     
         28 . A composition according to  claim 24  wherein the at least one biocide is a combination of biocides selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine and its salts;
 halogenated phenols and salts thereof; quaternary ammonium compounds; povidone-iodine; zinc pyridinethione; and alcohols.   
     
     
         29 . A composition according to  claim 28  wherein the halogenated phenol is selected from the group consisting of dichlorophene, p-chloro-m-xylenol, chlorophene and o-phenylphenol, 2,4,4-trichloro-2-hydroxy-diphenylether (triclosan); andoctenidindihydrochloride (CH 3 —(CH 2 ) 7 —NHON—(CH 2 ) 10 —NO—NH(CH 2 ) 7 —CH 2  and a salt of any of the foregoing. 
     
     
         30 . A composition according to  claim 24  wherein the at least one biocide includes triclosan. 
     
     
         31 . A composition according to  claim 24  wherein the at least one biocide includes phenoxyethanol. 
     
     
         32 . A composition according to  claim 24  wherein the at least one biocide includes phenoxyethanol in combination with triclosan. 
     
     
         33 . A composition according to  claim 28  wherein the at least one biocide includes chlorhexidine and salts of chlorhexidine selected from the group consisting of gluconate, isethionate, formate, acetate, glutamate, succinamate, monodiglycolate, dimethanesulfonate, lactate, diisobutyrate and glucoheptonate salts. 
     
     
         34 . A composition according to  claim 33  including phenoxyethanol. 
     
     
         35 . A composition according to  claim 24  further including one or more component serving as a transdermal enhancer, chelating agent, stabiliser, skin emollient, moisturiser, or feel enhancer. 
     
     
         36 . A method for preparing a patient for surgery comprising the step of treating an area of the patient's skin at, and in the surrounding the vicinity of, the site of an intended surgical incision with a composition effective to kill more than 93% of both transient and resident micro-organisms. 
     
     
         37 . A method for preparing a patient for surgery comprising the step of treating an area of the patient's skin at, and in the surrounding the vicinity of, the site of an intended surgical incision with a composition effective to kill more than 93% of both transient and resident micro-organisms, wherein said composition comprises at least one biocide and at least one transcutaneous vehicle effective to convey the biocide to a resident micro-organism. 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein said step is repeated at least once, during the 24 hours preceding an operation. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein the step is repeated at least once a day for more than one day prior to an operation. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein the step is repeated at least once a day for more than three days prior to an operation. 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein said step is repeated at least twice during the 24 hours preceding an operation. 
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41  wherein said step is repeated at least four times during the 48 hours preceding an operation. 
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 41  wherein said step is repeated at least 6 times, during the 72 hours preceding an operation. 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 36  wherein the step or steps are conducted in combination with washing or showering using an biocidal soap or detergent.