DE10319652A1 - Device with a human- or animal-contacting surface, especially a handle or foot pedal, comprises a bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent at the surface - Google Patents

Abstract

Device with a human- or animal-contacting surface comprises a bacteriostatic or bactericidal agent, especially aluminum, copper, silver, boron or their ions or compounds, at this surface.

Description

The Invention relates to a device which at least one of Human and / or animal to be touched Surface, in particular a hand grip or bracket or a foot pedal, having. This surface can for example by hand, foot, Arm or any other part of the body of humans or animals become. It does not matter whether the body part is clothed or whether a direct contact of this surface with the human or animal body he follows. In particular, however, the invention relates to such devices with direct contact of the human or animal body part with the one to be touched Surface, because in this case the problems mentioned below are particularly serious are.

to Maintaining and improving hygiene, especially that Sterility in hygienically particularly sensitive areas, for example in hospitals, Medical practices, in the food producing and processing industry, in sanitary areas, in nursing homes, homes for the elderly, etc., there is often the problem of infection with germs from outside preferably excluded or at least to suppress it.

Important is particularly the contact infection by direct contact with pathogenic germs. All living things and objects that from the outside can get into such a sensitive area be pathogenic germs. If the items or Body Parts, that the pathogens wear, with furnishings from these sensitive areas The pathogens can easily come into direct contact Transferred way become. Thereby the germ transmission directly from person to person, often through suitable ones Activities, for example by disposable gloves or by disinfecting the Hands avoided.

Become frequent Pathogens however over Transfer objects. For example, if the hand covered with pathogens is one Sick or a visitor a piece of furniture in the touches the sensitive area mentioned, for example a door handle, the handle of a soap dispenser, the buttons of an electronic one device, for example a public one Telephone or a parking card machine, so the pathogens can transferred this item of furniture become. To the next user the pathogen is then transmitted further. Even with aerators of taps there is a risk that plastic made of them sieve-like structures pathogens can be spread.

Further infection options also exist if a person infected with pathogens certain own items, for example a health insurance card or a check card, touched, to pass this on to the service personnel in the sensitive area, which then treats this item further, for example a card into a reader pocketing. For example thereby transferring pathogens from the visitor's hand to the card reader via the card be and later this way get on other cards. Similar it is with the transmission possibilities from pathogens over Door handles, Light switches, ballpoint pens, bedsteads, device actuators in sanitary areas, etc.

Because of this diverse possibilities for distribution and transmission of pathogens from one person to another or from one animal to another or between humans and animals the object of the invention is seen in improving the Hygiene the transmission the pathogen over certain items to prevent or at least severely restrict, taking no time and only an extremely small one Expense should be required. This task is supposed to be automatic in a way be solved by appropriately designing the critical objects, the for the transfer the germs are responsible.

This The object of the invention solved, that at least the surface to be touched by humans and / or animals Device at least partially contains a bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal agent, especially on aluminum, copper, Silver and / or boron and / or on their metal ions and / or on their Connections. The remedy is said to be bacteriostatic is called inhibiting the growth of the bacteria, but also being a bacteriocidal Effect, that is a bacteria killer Effect of the agent is advantageous according to the invention and therefore is included.

The equipped according to the invention Devices are preferably used in hospital and in the sanitary area, also in public plumbing of companies, business premises, Restaurants, public Toilets, authorities, in clinics, homes and other community facilities, as well in health and care facilities, veterinary clinics, in food manufacturing industry, including beverage bottlers, at animal breeding and cattle breeding, intensive livestock farming, in agricultural holdings, in animal transshipment points, at animal fairs, animal exhibitions, slaughterhouses, dairies, etc.

The surface so equipped restricts the spread of pathogens according to the invention, since the bacteria do not multiply on this surface as before can. The preferred metal ions are Al (3+), Cu (2+), Ag (+) and B (3+). The following is intended to use Al (3 +) ions or the corresponding aluminum compounds be without the equipment the one to be touched surface with other metal ions or other bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal effective means should be excluded.

In particular it is proposed that the surface mentioned be an anodized layer and / or a material, especially a plastic, with a content on a finely divided connection of the metal, preferably of aluminum, especially of aluminum trihydroxide. On particularly simple ones and inexpensive ways here are impressive bacteriostatic Effects of the equipped with it surfaces achieved.

On the way the anodized layer is created comes down not according to the invention on. Rather, it is essential that the anodized aluminum ions releases, as it is at the end of this description under point 3 will be shown.

there it has turned out to be advantageous if the anodized layer a thickness of 5 to 15 μm Has.

If the material, e.g. B. aluminum, for the device with the bacteriostatic surface has insufficient mechanical strength, high strength Aluminum, e.g. B. Duralumin can be used or the corresponding Part reinforced in another way become. For example an aluminum tube with an anodized surface by means of an inserted Steel rod or steel tube may be reinforced.

Instead of An anodized layer can also have a bacteriostatic effect on the surface can be effected in other ways. If the surface is a plastic with a Contains a fine-particle aluminum compound proposed that as plastic polypropylene and / or ABS (Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) containing finely divided aluminum trihydroxide is used.

there it has turned out to be particularly advantageous if the salary of aluminum trihydroxide at 5 to 25% by weight, preferably at 10 is up to 20% by weight.

Preferably In particular, such devices are equipped with the surfaces mentioned that for transmission of germs in the sensitive areas mentioned come into question. Such devices are in claims 7 to 13 proposed. The dispenser outlet pipe according to claim 8 preferably a bacteriostatic surface, because this tube can also be touched by hand.

Table 1 lists further advantageous applications of the invention, namely for devices from the sanitary sector: Table 1

The Brackets can be made anodized high-strength aluminum.

Preferably can also use the device as a aerator, in particular as an insert for one such a aerator. The outer ring are made of stainless steel. Such one, used in the tap Perlator can with a variety of pollution Add disease germs to the water to be delivered. In addition, in the usually a plastic insulator insert size Number of germs, especially bacteria, and multiply quickly. The reason for this lies in the jagged surface of the aerator insert and on the one that is constantly damp there Microclimate.

Preferably the above devices are used in facilities accordingly Claim 15 used, also in animal breeding operations and animal clinics, where there is always the risk of spreading animal diseases, for example from BSE, avian influenza, Foot-and-mouth disease and the like exist.

in the The following are further details of the invention, in particular Try closer described the effectiveness of the measures according to the invention occupy.

1. Anodized layers

1.1 Preparation of the samples

to Investigation of the bacteriostatic effect of anodized layers were initially Test specimen manufactured. For this purpose, aluminum sheets with a thickness of 0.25 mm to 3.0 mm were anodized. Before the anodic oxidation, the sheet was first covered with tetrachlorethylene degreased and then rinsed with deionized water. The anodic oxidation was carried out in 1.5% by weight oxalic acid constant at 22 ° C was tempered. The anodizing voltage was 50 V and that Anodizing time 3 hours. After the anodic oxidation the sheet at 450 ° C calcined in the presence of air for 6 hours.

The anodized aluminum and other samples were examined for colonization with known biofilm formers or facultative pathogenic bacteria. Cylindrical test specimens with a uniform diameter of 12 mm and, depending on the material, different heights from 0.25 mm to 3.0 mm were produced from the materials mentioned below. Table 2

1.2 Test procedure

In The test specimens were made using the continuos drop culture technique (cdc) Start of the test immersed in the germ suspension and after drying of the test germ in a special apparatus so that a precision pump fresh, sterile medium continuously dripped onto the test specimens, without any direct contact between the test specimen and the sterile nutrient broth originated. The flow rate was 6 ml / h.

To Expiry of the selected Incubation time (48/72/96 h), the germ carriers were removed aseptically and in 5 ml CS broth shaken. From this broth 1 ml each was removed and diluted to a dilution level of 10-13. Of the individual dilutions were spatulated out 0.1 ml on 2 CS plates per dilution and at 37 ° C over 48 h incubated. Subsequently visible colonies were counted and on the surface the germ carrier extrapolated.

1.3 results

Al elox. = Aluminium eloxiert
Al b1. = Aluminium blank
E-St. geb. = Edelstahl gebürstet
E-St. bl. = Edelstahl blank
E-St. pol. = Edelstahl poliert
PP = Polypropylen
PTFE = PolytetrafluorethylenThe results of the tests carried out with the 3 test organisms are summarized in Tables 3 to 5 below. Table 3: Experiments with Staphylococcus aureus as test germ

Al anodized. = Anodized aluminum
Al b1. = Bright aluminum
E-St. b = Brushed stainless steel
E-St. bl. = Bright stainless steel
E-St. pole. = Polished stainless steel
PP = polypropylene
PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene

1% CSL stands for "1% casein-peptone-soybean meal-peptone solution" and is the nutrient medium for the bacteria.

Tabelle 5: Versuche mit Pseudomonas aeruginosa als Testkeim

KbE means "colony-forming units" and, simplified, means the number of grown bacteria that can be seen and counted as "colonies". Table 4: Experiments with Staphylococcus epidermidis as test germ

Table 5: Experiments with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as test germ

1.4 Evaluation of the results and conclusions

Staphylococcus aureus only forms low germ densities on the tested surfaces. On the aluminum and stainless steel bodies the germ densities achieved are lower than on the polypropylene or PTFE bodies.

With Staphylococcus epidermidis, this trend is even clearer where it stands out that on the plastic bodies very high bacterial counts are detectable from polypropylene.

At the the most interesting are the experiments with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as test organism: It should be noted here that the test specimen is made of anodized aluminum inhibit the germ growth significantly. This statement applies to both the experimental approaches with aqua dest. as well as with 1% CS nutrient solution. Surprisingly were also made on the test specimens polished stainless steel found very high bacterial counts; apparently brings the particularly smooth structure of these surfaces has no advantages in view on colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In conclusion, find that among the audited Materials anodized aluminum slowest with those of the chosen Microorganisms formed overgrown biofilms.

2. Plastics bacteriostatic equipped

2.1 Preparation of the samples

Farther the bacteriostatic effect of plastics was examined, in which aluminum trihydroxide with different concentrations had been incorporated.

Aluminum trihydroxide, obtained as a fine powder under the trade name Martinal OL-104 G (Pro product of Martinswerk GmbH) was with 10 wt .-%, 20 wt .-% and 30 wt .-% in the plastics polypropylene, referred to under the trade name Moplen EP 448 T (PP) (product from BASELL) and in ABS, obtained mixed in under the trade name "Starex" (product from DSM).

All Compounds were made in the Brabender Plast-Corder kneader at approx. 200 ° C for 5 to 10 minutes at 50 1 / min mixed. They are still called Compounds were made on 2 roller mills at about 110 ° C rolled out as fur. Then 3 samples each with the dimensions were taken Cut out 160 × 14 × 1 mm.

The effective concentration of aluminum trihydroxide in the samples, measured in% by weight, was: 0% by weight, 9.6% by weight, 18.2% by weight, 28 Wt .-%. This information applies to both polypropylene and ABS.

Square test specimens with an edge length of approx. 1.0 cm were cut from the samples. Due to the uneven shape, the thickness / height could not be defined specifically. The total surface area of each test specimen was 100 mm ² .

2.2 Test procedure

The Continuos-Drop-Culture-Technique (cdc) was also used here applied in the same way. The flow rate was 3 ml / min.

After the selected incubation period (48/72/96 h) the germ carriers were removed aseptically and shaken out in 5 ml CS broth. 1 ml each was removed from this nutrient broth and diluted to a dilution level of 10 ^-13 . 0.1 ml of each dilution was spatulated out on 2 CSA plates per dilution and incubated at 37 ° C for 48 h. Visible colonies were then counted and extrapolated to the area of the germ carrier.

2.3 Results

The results of the tests carried out with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are summarized in Table 6 below. The percentage in the 1st column indicates the mixed in content of Al (OH) ₃ . Table 6: Experiments with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as test germ

2.4 Assessment of experiences and conclusions

The Germ growth is due to the use of 1% CSL as a medium through the higher Offer of nutrients larger than when using distilled water. It is striking that after the initial Fall below the detection limit (48 h) for both used Culture Media after a period of 72 h, little to strong growth in dependence from the test areas. The test samples PP always showed a higher Bacterial count after a sampling time of 72 h as the ABS surfaces.

In conclusion, it can be stated that among the tested materials, the plastics with 10% and 20 Al (OH) _{3 are} the slowest to grow over with the biofilms formed by the selected microorganisms.

3. General

To The inventor's view is the bacteria-inhibiting effect of the above named surfaces by causes the presence or release of aluminum ions, which is the protein of the bacteria attacks. This view is confirmed by the subsequent experiments supported which is the release of aluminum ions from the above Examine anodized aluminum sheets.

1 ml of subboiled water was applied to the anodized aluminum surface in a water-saturated atmosphere for 20 h. The solutions were then measured against a solution applied identically to a polypropylene surface. The following concentrations of aluminum ions formed in the solution above the aluminum surface: 1st sample: 36 μg / l 2nd sample: 32 μg / l 3rd sample: 35 μg / l

As The result is that the anodized layers are wet Release a certain small amount of aluminum ions in the environment, that can help inhibit bacterial growth.

Claims (15)

Device which has at least one surface to be touched by humans and / or animals, in particular a hand grip or bracket or a foot pedal, characterized in that at least this surface at least partially contains a bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal agent, in particular on Has aluminum, copper, silver and / or boron and / or on their metal ions and / or on their compounds. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that this surface an anodized layer and / or a material, in particular one Plastic, containing a fine-particle compound of the Metal, preferably aluminum, especially aluminum trihydroxide, having. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the anodized layer has a thickness of 5 to 15 μm. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that high-strength aluminum is used and / or the surface mechanically reinforced is. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that as plastic polypropylene and / or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer) is used with a content of finely divided aluminum trihydroxide. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the Al (OH) ₃ content is 5 to 25% by weight, preferably 10 to 20% by weight. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the device is designed as a donor for liquid, creamy or foam-shaped Soap or for Disinfectant or for Creams, ointments, pastes and the like and a bow-shaped operating lever has whose surface contains a bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agent having. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized characterized that the dispenser is an outlet pipe for the soap or which has disinfectant or creams and the like, which at least in its outlet area also at least on the outer surface contains a bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agent having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the device as a waste container, for example as one Hygiene waste box, is formed with a flap that has a handle, its surface contains a bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agent having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the handle of a toilet brush at least in the grip area a surface containing one has bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agents. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the device is a foot sprayer with a from foot to actuated Lever is at least in the contact area with a surface containing a bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agent having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the device is a soap or cream dispenser with a manual to be operated Is push button that has a surface at least in the contact area containing a bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agent having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the device is an electrical or electronic device with keys, such as a computer or typewriter keyboard, a telephone terminal with handset and keyboard, a mobile telephone, a parking card machine, a door handle or a cabinet handle, one on the wall or on one Cable-attached switch, a chip card or magnetic stripe card (health insurance, euro check, customer card, telephone card or the like), a frame of a hospital bed, a ballpoint pen housing and / or a parking ticket, these parts having a surface, at least in the contact area have a bacteriostatic / bacteriocidal agent. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the device as a aerator, in particular as an insert for one Perlator is formed. Use of the devices according to the previous ones claims in hospitals, Clinics, medical practices, and other health and care facilities, in veterinary clinics, in animal farms, in the food processing industry Industry and / or in breweries and at bottlers.