Systems and methods for sanitizing surfaces

Abstract

Systems and methods for sanitization of surfaces, such as hands, are provided. In general, the described techniques utilize a system including a housing having an active agent receptacle in fluid communication with at least one nozzle, and an air pump in fluid communication with the at least one nozzle. The system also includes a control module configured to control the delivery of an active agent as an aerosol spray through the at least one nozzle in a delivery dose. The delivery dose is expelled onto the surface as a thin uniform layer and dried such that the entire surface sanitization process is completed in less than or equal to 5 seconds. The active agent receptacle can be configured to receive a removable and replaceable cartridge carrying the active agent.

1 . A method of delivering a quick drying sanitizer composition to a surface, the method comprising:
 contacting the surface with a composition, the composition comprising an active agent, the active agent comprising an aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid at a concentration of about 0.005% to about 1%,   wherein the composition is effective to kill or inactivate a pathogen on the surface, the pathogen comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores thereof, or any combination thereof, and   wherein the composition is delivered to the surface in the form of an aerosol spray.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises skin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition does not substantially alter resident microflora population within the skin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprising the active agent provides minimal irritation or toxicity to the skin. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition fully dries within  5  seconds of contacting the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol spray comprises droplets from about 18 μm to about 56 μm, from about 36 μm to 107 μm, or from about 28 μm to about 116 μm in diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol spray is delivered to the surface as a uniform layer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the uniform layer has a thickness from about 1 μm to about 50 μm 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the uniform layer has a thickness from about 5 μm to about 20 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the uniform layer has a thickness from about 4 μm to about 10 μm. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pathogen comprises spores of  Clostridium difficile.    
     
     
         12 . A method of delivering a quick drying sanitizer composition to a surface, the method comprising:
 contacting the surface with a composition, the composition comprising an active agent, the active agent selected from the group consisting of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, an aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol, an aqueous solution of ethanol, an aqueous solution of peracetic acid, an aqueous solution of acetic acid, an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite, an aqueous solution of ozone, and any combination thereof,   wherein the composition is effective to kill or inactivate a pathogen on the surface, the pathogen comprising bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores thereof, or any combination thereof, and   wherein the composition is delivered to the surface in the form of an aerosol spray.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is at a concentration of about 0.3% to about 15% of hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol is at a concentration of about 70% of isopropyl alcohol. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the active agent comprises an aqueous mixture of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pathogen comprises spores of  Clostridium difficile