CA1290250C

CA1290250C - Antiseptic fluids

Info

Publication number: CA1290250C
Application number: CA000522230A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Bruno A. Gluck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-03-13
Filing date: 1986-11-05
Publication date: 1991-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-08
Also published as: FI864514A; KR870700016A; JPS62502309A; DK542486A; JP2559225B2; NO864519D0; DK542486D0; WO1986005391A1; AU5660686A; AU586243B2; KR940010078B1; FI864514A0; EP0215072A1; NO864519L; EP0215072A4

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Dual purpose antiseptic fluids, which additionally to being effective skin disinfectants are also capable on drying to form skin protective film with residual antibacterial properties. These antiseptic fluids, while primarily applied as skin disinfectants for pre- and post surgery, dermatological infections, burn treatment as well as first aid for superficial wounds, cuts and abrasions, offer the additional advantage of a temporary or longer lasting skin and wound dressing depending on the film forming polymer used, without impairing the normal physiological activity of the skin. The invention also relates to medical surgical, and veterinary devices in particular to liquid applicators for antiseptic fluids to the human skin for medical, pre- and post surgical applications and first-aid.

Description

1~0~5(~

DESCRIPTION
ANTISEPTIC FLUIDS
T~CHNICAL ~IELD
The invention relates to dual purpo6e antiseptic fluids, whic~ ddditionally to being effective s~in disinfectant8 a~e also capable on drying to form 6kin protective film Yith residual antibacterial properties.
These antiseptic fluid6, while primarily applied as skin disinfectants ~or pre- and post surgery, dermatological infections, burn treatment as well as first aid for 6uperficial wounds, cuts and abrasion6, offer t~e additioQal advanta~ of a temporary or longer la6ting skin and wound dressinq dependin~ on the film forminq polymer used, without impairing the normal phy6ioloqical activity of the skin.
The invention also relates to medical, 6urgical and veterinary devices in particular to liquid applicators for antiseptic fluids to the human skin for medical, pre-and post surgical applications and first-aid BACXG~OUND ART
Antiseptic fluids are solution6 of a sub6tance of known antibacterial properties di6601ved in a 601vent such as water or a lower alcohol or mixture of both. The bactericidal substance i8, after application, deposited directly onto the skin and can through it6 contact cause to person6 known to have hypersensitive skin, or to be allerqic, considerable discomfort through reddeninq, itching or other sensations.
It is desired, after di6infection of the skin prior to or after surger~, open wounds, cuts and abrasions and especially burns, that there is continuous protection again6t ~ny r`einfection provided by residual antibacterial action of t~e anti6eptic fluid employed or by physical means 6uc~ a6 the use of clo6ely fitting bandages made from sterili6ed fabrics or both. -Residual bactericidal properties are claimed by 60me commerically available disinfectant6 but these can be expected to be only of ~hort duration. For example the residual antibacterial efficiency of the widely used quaternary ammonium compounds as disinfectants is greatly affected by the pH of normal healthy s~in and the organic matter contained i3 it~ esuding fluids, There is also a reduction of depa~ited ~..2~0250 bactericides due to removal by per6piration. The u6e of bandages made from variou6 fabrics can be cumber60me, often interfe~inq with the movement of the affected part~ of the body, requiring frequent time-consuming change6.
In recent year6 vound dre6~inqs for use on 6uperficial burn6, cut~ and abra6ion6 a6 well as pre- and po6t surgical dre~inqs of the skin have been developed, providing a clear pla6tic film over the afiected area6. The~e pla6tic wound dre6sing6, often referred to a6 "pla6tic bandage6~ are u6ually 601ution6 of an acrylic or methacrylic co-'pol:ymer dissolved in a volatile non-aqueou6 organic solvent of low boiling point such as ~e~thyl acetate, acetone, ethyl alcohol or methylene chloride or mixtures thereof, reducinq drying time to a minimum.
Althouqh they p;otect the treated areas thrDugh their coherent film formation acting as a physical barrier against outside contamination and possible infection, they have no antibacterial activity and should therefore only be applied after disinfection of the skin. A serious di6advantage of these liquid bandages is that the non-aqueous solvent ~or the film forming polymer can cause con6iderable pain if applied to open wounds, cuts and abrasions. For qood adherence, such liquid bandaqes can only be applied to perfectly dry skin.
This makes them less suitable where the s~in is contaminated by body fluids such as blood, strong perspiration or pus.
Furthermore, these liquid bandaqes suffer from the disadvantage that the film consisting of a non-porous water-insoluble polymer closes the pores of the 6kin hermetically, thus not allowing it to perform its normal phy6iological functions. ~odifications of 6uch films have been claimed to make them 6emi-permable to be better able to cope with the body fluid6 exuded ~rom the skin.
More recently 6pray pla6tic bandages have been described, whereby the polymer i6 di6solved in an organic solvent or the propellant itself to form a film on t~e skin removable by ~ashinq wit~ 60ap and water. A spray bandage i6 al60 described in Australian Patent ~o. 527 826 v~ere t~e film consi6ting of a water insoluble polymer such a~
polyb~tyl~ethacrylate is dir~olved in an organic solvent ~;~90;~5(~

containinq a water solub~e bactericide such a6 a quaternary ammonium compound and bacteriostat 6uch as a chlorinated hydroYydiphenylether. It is claimed that the water soluble bactericide ~ill be leached out from the polymeric film for t~e i~mediate disinfection of the s~in and that t~e resulting porous film will ~ubsequently allo~ sufficient humidity to pass throug~, for the remaining bacterio~tat in its anhydrous medium to exert residual antibacterial activity.
T~ere are also known antiseptic preparations being aqueous solution6 of an iodine complex vith poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone), which after application leaves a film o~f,the iodine complex on the ~kin. This film formation ifi only incidental to the disinfecting properties and because of the thinness of the film as it is removed immediately when in contact ~ith moisture, it cannot be regarded as a protective wound dressinq.
It is common practice to apply a fluid antiseptic to wounds, cuts, lacerations. b~arns and skin infections and in surgery before and after incision of the skin. A further Z0 widely used practice is to disinfect small skin areas before penet~ation by a hypodermic needle or insertion of a canule for intraveneous feeding o~ blood transfusion. The area o the skin to be disinfected is customarily either painted with a sof t b~ush, swabbed by means o~ a swab or sponge made of a soft porous material dipped into an antiseptic fluid. In surqery, swabs are held either by a forcep o~ are attached to the end of a rigid handle as disclosed in US Patent No.
3 508 547. The'',ant,i:septic fluid is held in an open container and the 6wab dipped into its content, which is discarded after the operation, causing a wasce of the la~er part which remained unused. Furthermore. the swabs or sponges di6carded after use could easily be mistakenly included in the swab count if contaminated with clotted blood or after use with an iodine di6infectant because of 6imilarity of colour.
An improvement in the art is disclo~ed in US Patent No.
3 774 609, combining a spongelike applicator with a rigid container ~or 6torin~ the anti6eptic solution. The applicator.
sponge overlying the front end of the applicator i6 surrounded by a U-~hape~ clip includinq a pair of opposed pointed pin~

1 2~025() piercinq t~e container prior to application, allowinq flo~ of it~ content i~to the applicator ~ponge. The de~ice is di~carded after only one single u~e. A 6imilar but reusable device is claimed in US Patent No. 3 482 920, where the fluid applicator ic held in a retaining ring wit~ a piercing arrangment in the cap for opening the connecting rigid container and thus releasing the contained fluid to flow into the applicator.
In another US Patent No. 3 179 972, an applica*or top being attached to a connecting bottle is described having a skin contactinq ~urface of a microporous plastic material.
Common to all these devices i6 the fact that they allow only the use of low viscosity fluids capable of flowing freely by qravity alone from the container through the porous applicator on to it6 ~urface thus causing, when using the device when still full or nearly full, problems of liguid over-flow and run-of from treated skin areas. Furthermore, as 60me of the contents is u~ed up and an equilibrium between outside air pressure and pressure inside the container is established, the antiseptic fluid will cease to flow into the applicator head and the device will have to be di6carded with a large part of its content going to waste. There is also the risk, with the reduction o pressure inside the container of less antiseptic fluid flowinq into the applicator head, which in turn, due to insufficient moistening might cause uneven application, leaving some skin areas untreated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It ha6 now been discovered that, when a water 601uble or partially water soluble bactericide and/or bacteristat i~
dis601ved or dispersed in an aqueous medium which may contain certain amount6 of a volatile organic medium, such as ethanol, and a water 601uble or water di6persible film forming polymer, on evaporation of the medium 6ufficient water is retained in the film for the bactericide and/or bacteristat to be ~5 effective. The film itself po66esse6 re6idual antibacterial propertie6. This film, due to it6 moi6ture content doe6 not interfere ~ith t~e natural phy~iological functions of the skin.
It ha~ further been 6urpri6in~1y ob6erved that ~ith 60me individual~ having highly 6en6itive 6kin to some bactericides ~ 0~5() and bacteristats, no adverse, o~ considerably reduced adverse skin reactions such as reddening of the skin or itchinq occur, althou~h a dressinq containin~ such agents is left in contact ~ith the skin for many hours.
The present invention thus relates to a dual purpose antiseptic fluid which additionally to being a liquid disinfectant for broken and unbroken skin, open wounds, burns, cuts and abrasions, leaves a protective dressinq in form o an elastic ~ilm over the treated areas with residual antibacterial properties.
The dual purpose antiseptic fluid of the invention, after di~infection provides an elastic dressing which does not interfere with the normal physiological activity of the skin and is removable with water or with soap and water.
The antiseptic fluid of the invention causes a minimum or irritancy to sensitive skin otherwise caused by the direct contact and deposition of the bactericide and/or bacteristat direct onto the skin.
The invention also relates to a simple, reusable device for the application of the antiseptic fluid in an economic and effective manner to surfaces such as skin.
The invention therefore provides a dual-purpose antiseptic fluid comprising at least one bactericide and/or bacteristat selected from chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine salts, cetyl tetramethylammon;um bromide, benzalkonium chloride, triclosan, hexachlorophene, tribromsalan, triclocarban, cloflucarban, an iodophor or a mixture of two or more thereof; at least one water soluble or water dispersible film forming polymer and water in the form of a substantially aqueous solution characterised in that on application to skin surfaces and drying a water soluble film results.
C

0;~50 - 5a -The 1uid of che inveneion may oprionally contain a water miscible, non-toxic volatile co-solvent such as a lower alcohol, e.q. ethanol, isopropanol, or the like.
The use of a slow drying 601vent in such antiseptic ~luids allows sufficient time for the active ingredients to act as in any other antiseptic fluid to assure complete disinfection of the treated skin area. It i5 qenerally accepted ~hat for e~ficient skin disinfection, the composition should be in contact with the skin or about 30 to about 90 seconds. For practical purpo6es however, the drying time o~
the solvent should be adju6ted by the addition o the ~
appropriate quantity of a water miscible volatile co-601vent such as ethanol or isopropanol, so that film forminq takes place preferably between about 30 and about 60 6econds. It is ~' ~ _ __ _ ~q3 OX ~0 al60 preferred that t~e concentration of the active ingredient is 6uf~icient to achieve complete di~infection of the skin during film foImation.
For certain purposes the co-601vent content might be S raised as hig~ as 70% by volume to reduce drying time to a few seconds only. The additional bactericidal power of co-solvents such as ethanol at this concentration assures a6ep6is of the s~in even within the reduced drying time.
For the more widely used dual purpo6e antiseptic fluids of the invention, especially those for general hou~ehold first aid, it i6 preferred t~at no unpleasant 6ti~ging sensation i6 experiencPd on application to broken skin, cuts and abrasions due to too high a content of co-solvent suc~ as ethanol.
~or application to burns it might be desired to include a topical local anaesthetic to reduce pain.
A distinct advantage of the dual purpose antiseptic fluid of the invention containing a water-retaining film ~orming polymer is that after disinfection of the skin, not only residual antibacterial activity is maintained, but that it is directed simultaneously against the outside environment and the skin. Thus, even if a slow acting bacteristat is employed, disinfection of the skin is continued even if the film has been formed before asepsis o~ the skin has been achieved. There is also the important added advantage that after normal disinfection of the skin the remaining bacterial flora residing in the depth of the skin tissue, o~ten protected by atty matter, and brought to t~e surface at a later time by perspiration, is destroyed on contact with the active ingredient in the film. It is therefore an important ~pplication of the present invention to provide an llinvisible antiseptic glove" as an additional safeguard not only for ~urgeons~ hands under the EUrgical qlove against possible punoturing or cuts o~ the glove by surgical instrument6, but also to serve as a temporary 6urgical glove $or small emerqency operations in the field.
~ he obse~ved redu~tion and even elimination of 6~in irritation o person6 ~nown to have sensitive skin to the c~emical a~ent employed as a bactericide and/or ba~teri~tat, for example, quaternary ammonium compound6, can reasonably be ~902 ,() understood, as, on di~sol~ing the film forming poly~er, a protective colloid is formed around the molecule of the bactericide. and ~hich without interferi~g with its antibacterial activity is preventinq its direct contact with the s~in not only during disinfection but even more 60 once film forming has set in.
Another advantage of the protective colloid and the film formation around the molcule of the bactericide is that the possible deactivation through organic matter is reduced and residual antibacterial activity is increased. The use of a water soluble polymer has the further advantage that by selectina.polymers of sufficient high molecular weight, the viscosity of the antiseptic fluid can be adjusted to be sufficiently high as tO avoid unnecessary and annoying run-of after application.
~ t is advisable to incorporate small amounts of a plasticiser to increase the flexbility of che film. Such plasticisers are for example the polyethylene glycols or a surface active substance such as the nonylphenolpolyethoxy condensates to assure even spreading of the antiseptic fluid on the skin prior to filmformation in emerqencies on unwashed skin and those people whose skin is oily or fatty.
The fluids of the invention optionally may contain a moisturiser. This is especially useful to enhance the moisture retaining properties of the polymeric film. Some moisturises may additionally act as a plasticiser. Examples of suitable moisturisers include qlycerol, sorbitol, diethylene glycoi., polyethylene glycol 400 and nonionic lanolin derivatives.
, Suitable bactericides and bacterisetats which may be employed in compositions of the in~ention include halogenated hydroxydiphenyl deri~atives or halogenated salicyl and carbanilides.
Examples of these bactericides and~or bacteristats are those of the formula R ~ Rg R R2 o~

~herein each of Rl to Rg may be hydrogen, haloqen, lo~er alkyl, haloloweralkyl, lo~er al~oxy, allyl, cyano, amino or acetyl and the 0-acyl derivatives thereof provided that at lea6t one of Rl to R9 i~ halogen:
Xg X10 X1 X7 X8 ~ NH--C0 -~H ~ X~

7 X6 X~ X~
wherein eac~ of 21 to ~10 may be hydrogen. h-alogen, haloalkyl, nitro or al~oxy provided that at lea~t one of ~1 to ~9 i6 halogen:
Y8 Y9 Yl Y2 Y7 ~ H----CO ~ Y3 ~\Y5 H~\Y4 wherein eac~ o~ Yl to Y9 is hydrogen or halogen, provided that at least two of Yl to Y3 are halogen; and Z? -8 Zl Z2 26 ~ CH2 ~ -3 ~ ~ H H ~ -1 wherein each of Z, to ZB may be hydrogen or halogen provided t~at there is at least two halogen substituents on each Phehyl ring.
Such compounds are disclosed in Australian Patents Nos.
200 86~, 209 9B6, 236 460, 273 9sl~ 278 661 and 283 658 and in US Patents No~. 2 250 840, 2 967 8B5, 3 254 121, 3 057 920 and 3 064 048.
Examples of the preferred bactericides and/or bacteristst6 include 2,4,4'-trichloro-2~-hydroxydiphenyl ether (triclo~an); 2,2'-di~ydroxy-3,3',5,5',6,6'-nexachlorodiphenylmethane 6ystematic name (hexachlorophene);
3,5,4'--tribromo6alicylanilide (tribromsalan), 3,4,g'--trichloro- or 3-trifluorometnyl-4,4'-dichloro-carbanilides (triclocarban and clo1ucarban). chlorhexidine di~luconate, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide. benzalkonium 02~

g chloride and iodine complexes ~no~n a~ iodophor~.
The concentration of the active inqredient should be - wit~in the ran~e recommended by the manufacturers, and be no different to those used in standard antiseptic solutions.
s The ~ilm forminq polymers, which provide films with ~u~ficient water retention to allow for bactericidal bacteri6tatic activity of the incorporated active ingredients are, for example, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydrorymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboYymethylcellulose and its alkali metal salts and partial salts with 2-aminomethylpropanol, diethylaminopropylamine and triisopropanolamine; copolymers of N-vinyl-Z-pyrro'idinone with vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, crotonic acid, long chain a--olefins, al~ylaminoacrylates and methacrylates;
lS copolymers o~ vinyl acetate wit~ crotonic acid: terpolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone with vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, or with vinyl acetate and alkylamioacrylates or methacrylates: quarternised copolymers of N-vinyl Z--pyrrolidinone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate;
poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride); and polymers having free carbonyl groups.
Most suitable are the film forming polymers containing free carboxyl ~roups in their molecules, especially in the orm of more water soluble salts. On concact of their film~
with t~e acid pH of normal s~in, these ~roups are soon reconverted into the original carboxy qroups, making the film less soluble by perspiration and out6ide humidity. They are however easily removéd by washins with soap and ~ater, as even the light of al~alinity of normal toilet soaps is suficient ~o convert Che carboxy groups into their more soluble salt group. Suitable polymers are for example co-polymers of vinyl acetate and crotonic acid, ~er-polymers of N-vinyl--2 pyrrolidinone with vinyl acetate and alkylaminoacrylates or methacrylates.
Suitable polymers are also methylcellulo6e, ethylhydroxycellulose or hydroxymethylcellulose or ethylcellulose. On choo6in~ a suitable grade. u~ed in conjunction ~ith a povidone--iodine or a povidone-iodine ~opolymer, they h~e the adde~ advanta~e t~a~ viscous, 0~ ~0 non-runniDg fluids are obtained allowing an even covering of well defined areas of t~e skin, resulting in a longer lasting antiseptic protective film against post-operative infections, wit~ higher resistance against abrasion~ when applied under pla6ter ca6ts and bandaqes than was hitherto po6sible to obtain. Where N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone is a co-monomer, the co-polymer can be directly complexed with iodine using the poly(N--vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) component to serve a6 the iodine carrier.
Similarly, the ~ater 601uble alkali metal 6alts of car~oxymet~ylcellulose can be used in conjunction wit~ other polymeric film forming substances at a pH preferably between 7.0 and 8.0, bu~ not much below pH 6Ø Due to their ionic character care has to be taken in the choice of the bactericides being part of the composition as to their compa~ibility. Thus they cannot be used in conjunction with cationic substances such a6 quaternary ammonium compounds.
Suitable examples of substances for partial salt formation of these polymers to render them more h~-~rophilic or even completely watersoluble are: 2-aminomethylpropanol, diethylaminopropylamine and tri-isopropanolamine.
The dual purpose antiseptic fluids acco~ding to this invention are suitably applied by any conventional method 6uch as painting, swabbinq or dabbing onto the skin or by means o~
a suitable applicator.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides apparatus for applyinq a 1uid to a surface, which apparatus comprises a container for said fluid defining a reservoir, an applicator head in fluid communication therewith, 1uid flow restricting means between said reservoir and said applicator head, first cap means associated with said container for filling wit~ fluid and 6econd cap means for said applicator head to prevent evaporation of fluid therefrom, ~erein 6aid applicator ~ead comprises a resilient porous pad held in a dome shaped cap in content with 6aid 1uid flo~ restricting means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fiqure 1 i6 a representation of an applicator 6uitable for employing wit~ the anti6eptic fluid of the invention.
-1.~90 ~

Eigure 2 i6 an enlarged cut-away view of the applicator head depicted in Fi~ure 1.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The anti6eptic fluids of the invention may be applied by s variou6 known means such as spraying, swabbinq, dippinq, painting and the like.
The 1uids may also be applied from an applicator of the type depicted in the drawings. Suc~ an applicator (1) is made up of a reservoir (2) for antiseptic fluid and has an outer cap (3) which may incorporate a clip (4) 60 that the applicator can be carried securely in a pocket or the like.
T~e ~eservoir (2) is closed with a perforated shaped cap (5) covered with a resilient pourous pad (6) and held in place by a collar (7).
The pad (6) is preferably made of a synthetic resilient plastic material such as open polyurthane foam, multilayers of finely woven cotton cloth or absorben felt. The pad (6) is held over a perforated dome shaped cap (5) clipped in place allowing t~lrough flow of the antiseptic fluid. For the cap (5) a rigid plastic material unaffected by the antiseptic 1uid is to be selected. Suitable plastic materials are polyvinylchloride, polyethylene and propylene, styrene and similar polymeric materials. The perforation of the cap (5) is 6uch that the pad (6) is evenly moistened, preferably by a number of small symmetrically placed holes. The size of the perorations depending on the viscosity of the fulid is to be suc~ that by invertinq the applicator (1) no gravity feed into the pad occurs a~d a small amount of pressure on the reservoir (Z) is needed for the necessary amount of fluid to moisten it. The applicator, when not in use, is hermetically closed by a removable outer cap (3) which either scre~s or clips on, made of a 6imilar material a~ the perforated dome-6haped cap (5). This assures that any vapours from the antiseptic fluid cannot escape, thus keeping the pad (6) continuously moist.
This assures the the device not only being protected from outside contamination but being always ready for use 6ince no drying of the surface can occur.
T~e reser~oir t2) is 6uitably made from a re6ilient semi-rigid material 6uch as high density polyethylene or o~

propylene, enabling t~e anti~eptic fluid to flow w~en inverted into the pad t6) on applyins pressure to the side walls. A
preferred manner of filling the anti~eptic fluid is by way of a flexible bag (not shown) which is connected to the perforated cap (5). In 6uch a case, the ~emi-rigid reservoir (2) will incorporate an air-vent. Thus, a~ the antiseptic fluid is withdrawn from the flexible bag, the pressure of the air enterinq the reservoir (2) provides a continuous delivery of the antiseptic fluid to the pad ~6) at t~e same rate as it IO is used up. The ~lexible bag may be made-up from any suitable material ~uch as polyethylene or propylene, nylon and the like.
~h~-following examples illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. They should not be construed as limiting the claims hereto. Unless otherwise indicated, t~e S ingredients are combined by standard cold mixing processes.
In all examples pH adjustments were made with phosphoric acid or an organic acid such as citric or lactic acid or with a mild alkali such as trithanolamine.
E~AMPLE 1 First Aid Disinfectant and Dressin~
iodine complex with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone:
vinyl acetate co-polymer, ratio 70:30, a~ailable iodine 10% 5.0g co-polymer of N-vinyl-Z-pyrrolidinone:
vinyl acetate, ratio 30:,0 S.Og nonylphenolpolyethoxy(14)condensate 0.19 ethanol 30.Oml water, dist to make lOO.Oml The iodine complex of the co-polymer was obtained by 30 ~sing publi~hed standard methods for complexing with poly(N-~inyl--2-pyrrolidinone).
E~AMPLE 2 ' ~irst~Aid Disinfectant and Dressinq c~lorhexidine gluconate O.OSg co--polymer o ~inyla~etate with crotonic acid 3-009 polyet~ylene glycol 400 0.30g - et`~anol 40.00~L
2-aminomethylpropanol 0.24q wat(e~ dict. to ~ake lOO.OOmL

~90~5() _ 13 -The polymer vas di6sol~ed by adding it to the solve~t mixture containin~ the chlorhexidine and the Polyethylene ~lycol and 6ufficient quantity o the 2-aminomethylpropanol added to obtain solution. The pH was kept between 6 to 7.
The composition is suitable to be packed as an aerosol spray, using hydrocarbons as propellant.
Exam~le 3 AntisePtic Pre~Pinq Fluid and Dressinq This fluid is useful for di6infection of the skin prior to insertion of a hypodermic needle, canule or general disinfection prior and pO6t surgery:
po~idone-iodine containing lOS available iodine lO.Og co--polymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone:
lS vinyl acetate, ratio 50:50 lO.Og polyvinylpyrrolidone K 90 2.0q nonylphenolypolyethoxy(l4)condensate O.lg polyethylene glycol 400 O.lg water, dist. to make lOO.OmL
E~AMPLE 4 Viscous AntiseP _c PrePPinq Fluid This fluid is useful as a non-running, viscous antiseptic fluid for surgical prepping and dressing:
povidone-iodine containing 10% available iodine lO.Og hydroxyethylcellulose l.Og glycerol -:- l.Og nonylphenolethoxylate O.Z5q water, dist. to make lOO.OmL
30 , The hydroxyethylcellulose grades of suitable viscosity properties should be selected to give suficient viscosity 60 that a ~ree-flowinq, sufficiently viscous film forming fluid is obtained which is able to accura~ely delineate the de~ined areas of 6kin to which it is applied.
3s E~AMPLE 5 AntiseP_ic SPrav Bandaqe methylhydroxyethyicelluose 2.0g chlorhexidine digluconate 20% solution 5.0mL

1~30,_~() etbanol 40.OmL
carmoisine (Food Red 3) dye 601ution 1.0% w~v O.lmL
water, dist. to ma~e lOO.OmL
The chlorhexidine digluconate was added a~ter an aqueous solution of both polymer6 ~as been obtained. The solution wa~ then coloured and the pH if nece~6ary adjusted between 6.5-7.0 The methylhydroryethyl~ellulo6e grade6 of 6uitable visco~ity properties ~hould be 6elected to give 6ufficient viscosity 60 that a ~ree-flowing, su~ficiently viscous film forminq ~-luid is obtained which i~ able to accurately delineate the de~ined areas of ~kin to which it is applied.

Protective Film (Invi~ible Glove) This fluid is use~ul as a protective film under surgeons' gloves or for emer~ency operations in the field:
chlorhexidine acetate o,5g ter--polymer o~ vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate and crotonic acid 6.0g ethanol 70.OmL
2-aminomethy1propanol 0.5g water, dist. to make lOO.OmL
The method of preparation was the same as in Example 2. The Z5 ~luid is applied by vettin~ tbe complete hand and letting the solvent evaporate before puttinq on surgical gloves. In case of emergencies where no gloves are available, the procedure is repeated twice.
Exam~le 7 0 ~ Antise~tic Dressina This fluid is use~ul as an antiseptic fluid for certain light dermatoloqical infections:
tri~hlorophenoYydiphenylether 0.2g co-polymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone:
vinyl acetate, ratio 20:80 ~.Og nonionic lanolin derivative 70.0mL
water, dist. Co ma~e lOO.OmL
Tbe tricblorohydroxydiphenylether va~ dissolved in the e~banol prior to ~ixing ~ith the copolymer. The water wa6 added as the inal step.

1.~90~

Example 8 AntisePtiC Skin Di6infectant and Dres6inq for Veterinary APDlication Antarox*VRO 20 5.0g Anta~oY*CO a80 3.0g Tylopur MH 1000 2.0g water to make lOO.OmL

The Antarox products were added to the solution of the Tylopur. The pH was then adjusted to 4.5.
Antarox VRO 20 and Antarox Co 880 are from GAF Corp USA, Tylopur MH is a methyl hydroxyethylcellulose available ~rom Hoechst AG,~. Germany.

ExamPle 9 Film formin~ Teat DiP for Mastitis ProPh~laxis Antarox*VRO 20 2.0g Antarox*Co 880 1.5g Tylopur*MH 100- 2.0g glycerol . 7.0g water to make lOO.OmL
This fluid is manufactured as described in Example 8.
The pH is to adjusted to a pH 4 with phosphoric acid.

* a trade-mark r ~

Claims

1. A dual purpose antiseptic fluid comprising: at least one bactericide and/or bacteristat selected from chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine salts, cetyl tetramethylammonium bromide, benzalkonium chloride, triclosan, hexachlorophene, tribromsalan, triclocarban, cloflucarban, an iodophor or a mixture of two or more thereof; at least one water soluble or water dispersible film forming polymer and water in the form of a substantially aqueous solution characterised in that on application to skin surfaces and drying a water soluble film results.

2. A fluid as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one water miscible, non-toxic, volatile liquid.

3. A fluid as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising at least one topical local anaesthetic.

4. A fluid as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least one moisturiser.

5. A fluid as defined in claim 4, wherein the moisturiser is glycerol, sorbitol, diethylene, glycol, polyethylene, glycol, or a nonionic lanoline derivative.

6. A fluid as defined in claim 1 wherein the polymer is methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and its alkali metal salts and partial salts with 2-aminomethylpropanol, diethylaminopropylamine and triisopropanolamine; copolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone-with vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, crotonic acid, long chain .alpha.-olefins, alkylaminoacrylates and methacrylates;
copolymers of vinyl acetate with crotonic acid; terpolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinane with vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, or with vinyl acetate and alkylaminoacrylates or methacrylates; quarternised copolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride); and polymers having free carbonyl groups.

7. A fluid as defined in claim 6, wherein the polymer is carboxymethylcellulose, a vinyl acetate-crotonic acid copolymer, a vinyl acetate-vinyl propionate-crotonic acid terpolymer, a vinyl acetate-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone copolymer, a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone-long chain .alpha.-olefin copolymer, a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer, a poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride), or a quarternised copolymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate.

8. A fluid as defined in claim 1 wherein the bactericide is an iodophor.

9. A fluid as defined in claim 1 defining a reservoir an applicator head in fluid communication therewith, fluid flow restricting means between said reservoir and said applicator head, first cap means associated with said applicator head for filling with fluid and second cap means for said applicator head to prevent evaporation of fluid therefrom, wherein said applicator head comprises a resilient porous pad held in a dome shaped cap in contact with said fluid flow restricting means.

10. A fluid as defined in claim 9 wherein the iodophor is polyvinylpyrrolidinone.