Antimicrobial dyes for healthcare apparel

Abstract

An antimicrobial fabric for healthcare apparel comprising singlet oxygen generating photosensitising dye, preferably wherein the dye is a cationic phthalocyanine.

1 . Healthcare apparel comprising an antimicrobial fabric or material incorporating a singlet oxygen generating photosensitising dye, wherein the dye is cationic or anionic. 
     
     
         2 . The healthcare apparel according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric is natural or synthetic of any of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, nylon, cellulose, or cotton, preferably a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The healthcare apparel according to  claim 1 , wherein the healthcare apparel is any of patient gowns, health worker gowns, surgical gowns, all over hazmat (hazardous material) suits, uniforms or scrubs. 
     
     
         4 . The healthcare apparel according  claim 1 , wherein the photosensitising dye comprises a phthalocyanine or wherein the dye is in the phenothiazine class, preferably Methylene Blue. 
     
     
         5 . The healthcare apparel according to  claim 4 , wherein the phthalocyanine is alpha substituted. 
     
     
         6 . The healthcare apparel according to  claim 5 , wherein the phthalocyanine has the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         M=aluminium, titanium or zinc, 
         R=R′(a) or R″(b) 
         R′=Oxygen linked phenyl or pyridyl 
         R″=Oxygen linked phenyl, pyridyl or N-alkylated pyridinium, and 
         a+b=4 
         b=1 to 4 
         X=Cl − , Br − , I − , methanesulphonate, ethanesulphonate, toluenesulfonate, formate, acetate or other inorganic or organic counter-ion or mixture thereof; 
         and wherein alkylation on the pyridine nitrogen is optionally branched C1-C8 alkyl; further optionally wherein the alkyl chain is hydroxylated or fluorinated. 
       
     
     
         7 . The healthcare apparel according to  claim 5 , wherein the phthalocyanine is a zinc phthalocyanine, preferably a cationic zinc phthalocyanine. 
     
     
         8 . The healthcare apparel according to any preceding claim, wherein the phthalocyanine is any of the following: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         9 . Healthcare apparel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a homo or heteropolymer of unsaturated low molecular weight carboxylic acids or their esters or anhydrides. 
     
     
         10 . Healthcare apparel according to  claim 9 , wherein the monomer of the homo or heteropolymer is an acrylic, methacrylic or maleic acid. 
     
     
         11 . Healthcare apparel according to  claim 9 , wherein the polymer is in the carbomer class, preferably acrylic acid homopolymers, or maleic acid/vinyl ether heteropolymers. 
     
     
         12 . Healthcare apparel according to  claim 1 , wherein the dye is a zinc phthalocyanine selected from: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein: 
         M=aluminium, titanium or zinc, 
         R=R′(a) or R″(b) 
         R′=Oxygen linked phenyl or pyridyl 
         R″=Oxygen linked phenyl, pyridyl or N-alkylated pyridinium, and 
         a+b=4 
         b=1 to 4 
         X=Cl − , Br − , I − , methanesulphonate, ethanesulphonate, toluenesulfonate, formate, acetate or other inorganic or organic counter-ion or mixture thereof; 
         and wherein alkylation on the pyridine nitrogen is optionally branched C1-C8 alkyl; further optionally wherein the alkyl chain is hydroxylated or fluorinated;
 b) a cationic zinc phthalocyanine; 
 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         preferably wherein the polymer is deposited on the same fabric layer as the photosensitiser, being the outer layer of the healthcare apparel. 
       
     
     
         13 . Healthcare apparel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a surfactant, preferably an ionic, or a betaine type surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . Healthcare apparel according to  claim 13 , wherein the surfactant is an ionic sulfonated aryl surfactant, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate, more preferably sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. 
     
     
         15 . A process for treating a fabric suitable for healthcare apparel with a phthalocyanine, wherein the phthalocyanine is selected from:
 a) alpha substituted.   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein: 
       M=aluminium, titanium or zinc, 
       R=R′(a) or R″(b) 
       R′=Oxygen linked phenyl or pyridyl 
       R″=Oxygen linked phenyl, pyridyl or N-alkylated pyridinium, and 
       a+b=4 
       b=1 to 4 
       X=Cl − , Br − , I − , methanesulphonate, ethanesulphonate, toluenesulfonate, formate, acetate or other inorganic or organic counter-ion or mixture thereof; 
       and wherein alkylation on the pyridine nitrogen is optionally branched C1-C8 alkyl; further optionally wherein the alkyl chain is hydroxylated or fluorinated.
 c) a zinc phthalocyanine, preferably a cationic zinc phthalocyanine; and 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the phthalocyanine is in solution form. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 16 , comprising a phthalocyanine solution loading of 0.001-0.1 g/square meter of fabric.