Prevention of bacterial contamination

Abstract

A compound of formula I: wherein R 1 is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2 is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxyl group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1 and R 2 being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20, is used to prevent biofilm formation on a surface. The compounds are particularly useful as coatings or treatments for medical devices, including stents, catheters and wire guides.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for the prevention or reduction of biofilm formation on a surface, or to prevent or reduce viable microbial growth on a surface, said method comprising contacting said surface with a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is delmopinol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is, or forms part of, a medical device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the medical device is a surgical implant. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is, or forms part of, a contact lens. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a fluid storage or delivery apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the surface is a filter or a water delivery pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is impregnated or coated with the compound. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is in a controlled-release formulation, or is contained in a device that permits controlled release of the compound. 
     
     
         10 . A method for the prevention of biofilm on a surface said method comprising contacting said surface with a material comprising a compound of formula (I) or a salt thereof: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the material is woven. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating a surgical implement prior to surgery, comprising contacting said implement with a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         13 . A swab impregnated with a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         14 . A medical device, wherein the device is coated with a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         15 . The medical device according to  claim 14 , wherein the compound is delmopinol. 
     
     
         16 . The medical device according to  claim 14 , wherein the medical device is a surgical implant. 
     
     
         17 . The medical device according to  claim 14 , wherein the device is a contact lens. 
     
     
         18 . The medical device according to  claim 14 , wherein the device is a dental implant, catheter, stent, guide wire or orthopaedic prosthetic. 
     
     
         19 . A filter or water delivery pipe coated with a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         20 . A fluid storage or fluid delivery device, coated with a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20. 
       
     
     
         21 . A container comprising a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20, for use in treating a surface to prevent or reduce biofilm formation on the surface, or to prevent or reduce viable microbial growth on the surface. 
       
     
     
         22 . A container comprising a plurality of sealed packages, each package comprising a unit dosage form of a compound of formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms at the 2- or 3-position of the morpholino ring, and R 2  is a straight or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, substituted with a hydroxy group except in the alpha-position, the sum of the carbon atoms in the groups R 1  and R 2  being at least 10 and preferably 10 to 20, wherein said compound is in liquid form. 
       
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the surface is metal, plastic, ceramic, polystyrene or glass. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the surface is metal. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the compound is delmopinol.