MXPA02003912A

MXPA02003912A - Selective removal of contaminants from a surface using magnets.

Info

Publication number: MXPA02003912A
Application number: MXPA02003912A
Authority: MX
Inventors: W Koening David
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Co
Priority date: 1999-10-19
Filing date: 2000-10-02
Publication date: 2002-09-30
Also published as: WO2001028511A3; AU7989900A; GB0210646D0; DE10085096T1; GB2372703A; WO2001028511A9; WO2001028511A2; KR20020047246A

Abstract

A system and method for removing contaminants from a surface. The system is designed to use particles having means thereon which are capable of selectively binding to a contaminant or contaminants of interest. The particles are applied to the surface whereupon the contaminants bind to the particle. When the particle is removed, the desired contaminants are also removed. Preferably, the present invention utilizes magnetic particles having iron therein. The particles may then be readily removed using magnets. The means for binding the contaminant to the particle preferably comprise a ligand or a charge specifically designed to remove the contaminant of interest. The particles may be included in a carrier to facilitate their application to the surface. The invention is especially useful for the removal of contaminants from skin.

Description

SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM A SURFACE USING MAGNETS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a system and method by which contaminants can be selectively removed from the skin. In particular, the present invention is directed to a system and method which uses particles that have a degree of magnetism in which the particles are constructed and arranged to remove particular contaminants, such as microbial contaminants and debris, more so where the particles and the contaminants are then removed from the skin using magnets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Humans have large amounts of debris and microbes existing in their bodily fluids and on their skin. Many of the microbes are beneficial to the health and well-being of the individual. However, many of these microbes are contaminants that are not beneficial. Many of these non-beneficial microbes exist in bodily fluids that make contact with the skin, such as tears, sweat, oils, nasal secretions, and body waste. Microbes can also exist in wounds. These microbes, as well as the polluting waste, can irritate _.__ E__ «.» ._._ ..-- j- ».. > -, »_" _ * _... ^ ft. ^, _.j __ »fc, -? , ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The skin causing a variety of skin problems such as rash, spots, clogged pores, or discoloration of the skin, or with wounds, decreasing the healing rate of a wound.

Many different products have been produced to help eliminate the problems associated with waste and non-beneficial microbes. Different cleaning products are used which include detergents. These detergents effectively remove excess oils and fluids, thereby reducing the number of both beneficial and non-beneficial microbes. However, non-beneficial microbes still exist on the skin, only in smaller numbers. Additionally, if a lot of oil is removed from the skin, then the skin becomes dry.

Other products have introduced microbicides that are effective in killing all skin microbes. However, since these microbicides eliminate the beneficial microbes as well as the non-beneficial microbes, these products destroy the beneficial ecology of the skin and therefore have a negative impact on the health of the skin.

Therefore, what is needed is a system and a method of removing waste and non-beneficial microbes from the skin without removing the beneficial microbes to help reduce ___._._-__ «___-----. Aa ^^ J -» ---.-----. , the skin problems associated with non-beneficial microbes while maintaining the health of the skin.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a system and method for removing microbial contaminants from the skin. The system uses receiving materials that selectively hold the microbe or the microbes of interest. The receiving materials are placed on the surface of the skin where they meet and hold onto the microbes. Then, the receiving material and the attached microbes are removed from the skin. This allows non-beneficial microbes to be removed while the beneficial microbes remain, thereby maintaining the health of the skin or accelerating the healing of the wounds.

The system preferably includes the use of particles onto which the receiving materials are placed. These particles are designed to be placed on the skin where the receiving materials can hold the desired microbes. Then, means are provided which remove the particles and the accompanying receptor material and microbes from the surface of the skin.

Preferably, the present invention utilizes particles which have a magnetic charge. Then, after these magnetic particles are used to fi _ .. ^ f ______ ^ MMff) g ^ | ^ .__.._ ^ _ a__1 «_.__. ^ ._, .__ 1 ___ t ^ ___ ^ _ A ^ ___-__-_____ d __- i remove the microbes, the magnets will be used to remove the magnetic particles from the skin. The magnets can be used alone and they can be fixed on a cloth which is placed in close proximity to the skin to remove the magnetic particles.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system which can selectively bind and remove the desired microbes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system which maintains the health of the skin by removing non-beneficial microbes while allowing the beneficial microbes to remain on the skin.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system that removes non-beneficial microbes while not drying or otherwise damaging the skin.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system that uses magnetic particles and magnets to aid in the selective removal of non-beneficial microbes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for removing non-beneficial microbes from the skin.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of removing non-beneficial microbes by using particles which selectively bind to the non-beneficial microbes of the skin and, by removing the particles, they are taken to the non-beneficial microbes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for removing non-beneficial microbes by using magnetic particles and magnets.

The present invention can also be used with a multitude of different personal care products such as diapers, handkerchiefs, feminine products, cleansing wipes, bandages and cleaning materials.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the embodiments described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 describes the test procedure by which an embodiment of the present invention was used to determine the effectiveness of the magnetic test strips. _______,., ._ * ______.__._..-,. rf ^ ". tt, ^^ Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the effectiveness of the present invention in removing E. coli from the skin.

Figure 3 is a graphical representation of the effectiveness of the present invention in removing C. albicans from the skin using Magnetic Cellulose Particles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to a system and method for removing contaminants from the skin. The system can be used to remove a wide range of contaminants such as wastes or microbes. The system preferably uses ligands that bind to the contaminants of interest. Then, the ligands and the subject contaminants are removed leaving the desired microbes to maintain the health of the skin.

Ligands are associated with particulate materials that are applied to the skin where the ligands or charge can bind the contaminant of interest. Then, means are provided which remove the particulate material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the particulate materials have a magnetic charge and these magnetic particles are removed through of the use of magnets. Depending on the intended use, these magnets may be located within a personal care product. Preferably, the system employs monodispersed supermagnetic reactive microspheres (SMM) that are coated with ligands to specifically target target microbes.

Alternatively, instead of linking a ligand, the magnetic particles can be charged positively or negatively to thereby attract and hold other desired and contaminating microbes. The charge can be given to the particle by at least two methods. One would be the use of materials that already have the appropriate load in advance. This would be for example the use of cellulose to give everything a negative charge. The other way, chitin can be used to give a positive charge to the whole particle. The second method can be to modify the materials by chemical means to change the characteristic load of the surface. For example, the addition of amines could give a positive charge and add a negative charge to the carboxyl groups.

The native silanol groups on the surface of the silica microspheres are readily reactivated with aqueous or solvent-based silane coupling agents to produce preactivated silica microspheres with a wide variety of surface functional groups. Examples include chloromethyl, carboxyl, and amino groups. The _ .__ * _ »-___ _« ,, _.__ i_t: _ - _, ^. TMM ^ B tf --__-- ^ _ fa, ajÉi? AM oligonucleotides can be covalently bound to the modified surface of silica by medium of the 5'-amino terminal. The lipids can be attached via the carboxyl group in the acid fat chain and the propylamino surface groups on the silica.

The present invention also includes methods of removing contaminants from the skin by applying particles that have the ability to selectively bind to a contaminant or contaminants of interest. Then, the particles are removed from the skin to clean undesirable contaminants. By "selectively bound" it is meant that the particles can adhere to certain intended contaminants and not adhere to certain untreated materials.

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes magnetic particles. Preferably, these magnetic particles consist of a particle containing iron. Preferably, the particle is non-toxic and is capable of binding a ligand therein. The particles useful in the present invention include those made from natural polymers, random copolymers, or plastics. Representative examples include natural polymers such as cellulose; random copolymers such as polybutylene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene elastomers; and plastics such as polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, rayon, nylon, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyesters, chitin, starch, ___ & * _____. * ja «__ M _? ____ t _ * ___ i ^ ___ a - '^" - jt £ A ^^ - &1L * i> - **. dextrin and modified starch.Silica can be used as an inorganic carrier Other inorganic carriers may include clays.The type of particle used will vary depending on several considerations, including the intended use or the contaminant to be removed.However, in general, natural polymers, such as cellulose, impregnated Iron is the preferred type of particle.

The size of the particle may also vary depending on the intended use or the product upon which the particle will be used. However, if the particle is very large, it can irritate the skin as it is applied. Therefore, in general, the preferred particle is smaller in size. Preferably, the particles are less than about 25 μm in diameter. More preferably, the particles are about 3 to 4 μm in diameter.

The amount of iron contained within each particle will vary depending on the amount of charge desired, the overall size of the particle, the carrier within which the particles will be applied to the skin, if any, and the location and number of the particles. magnets used to remove the particle. However, in general, the particles will consist of from about 1% to about 25% of the weight of iron. More preferably, the particles will comprise from about 10% to about 20% by weight of iron. This will result in l »rf. * - *.? +? i..í ^.? t? It *., ~ ^ ._ ___-__ fa _._. * '1'-the particle has a magnetic mass susceptibility from about 50,000,000 up to about 200,000,000 m3 / g.

Once the desired type of particle, size and iron content is selected, then the particle can be modified to either hold a ligand or be charged to obtain the desired polarity. As noted above, the choice between a ligand or ligands and a charge will depend on the type of contaminant that will be removed and will affect the composition of the particle. If a load is used, the load can be either positive charge or negative charge. If a ligand is used, it can be selected from a wide variety of useful ligands.

A positively charged particle is capable of being used to remove ferments and bacteria (negatively charged) and any negatively charged molecules. Examples of particles useful as positively charged particles include, but are not limited to, diethylaminoethyl, cietyl [2-hydroxypropyl] aminoethyl, polyethyleneimine, triethylaminohydroxypropylene, quaternary ammonia, quaternary alkylamine, quaternary alkylanolamine, trimethylbenzylammonium, dimethylethanolbenzylammonium, polyamine, alkylamine, dimethylethanolamine, octadecyldimethyltrimethoxysilypropylammonium chloride and chimene. -i -__ ^ ____ i ^ _ J ___ «__ * f A negatively charged molecule can be used to remove proteins and other biological contaminants, which do not include ferments and bacteria. Examples of particles useful as positively charged particles include, but are limited to, carboxymethyl cellulose, sulfopropyl cellulose, phosphate cellulose, DOWEX®, DUOLITE®, AMBERLITE®, bentonite and chitin.

A large number of ligands can be used in the present invention. These binders include lectins from 10 plants and antibodies among others. Moreover, extracts of plants and natural products can also be used.

The lectins of plants useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, lentil lectin, 15 lectin of wheat germ, dolichos biflorus, galanthus nivalis, maximum glycine, heli pomatia, lens culinaris, phaseolus vulgaris, phytolacca americana, ulex europaeus and vicia villosa. These lectins are useful as removers of microbial materials, and especially any cell with residues 20 mannopyranosiles or glucopyranosiles on the surface of the membranes. They can also help in the removal of proteins or waste from the skin with similar characteristics. Other microbes that can be removed include those that have glucose, mannose, or n-acetyl-glucosaminyl residues in the 25 cell walls of microbes and other waste materials of the skin.

Other ligands that may be used include dolichos biflorue, galanthue nivalis, maximal glycine, heli pomatia, lens culinaris, phaseolus vulgaris, phytolacca americana, ulex europaeus and vicia villosa.

Antibodies useful in the present invention include those that have antibodies specific for any cell wall of associated microbes or membrane components. Other binders useful in the present invention include those that use cell surface receptors specific for microbes. These include, but are not limited to, Staphylococcus, Steptococcue, Candida and Propionibacterium. All of these are specific for cell surface receptors that hold glycosides. These glycosides could adhere to the magnetic particle.

If a ligand is used as a means to remove the contaminant, then the ligand must be adhered to the particle in such a way that when the particle is applied to the skin, the ligand is able to bind with the contaminant or contaminants chosen and remove these contaminants when the particle is removed from the skin. There is a plurality of known methods that can be used to adhere the ligand to the particle. However, preferred methods for the present invention include direct adsorption and covalent adhesion.

Direct adsorption involves the adsorption of the ligand on the surface of the particle. Simple protein adsorption, especially polyclonal IgG, on the surface of polystyrene microspheres are more successful 95% of the time. To cover the maximum surface (up to a monolayer), the buffer pH must be at, or slightly more basic than, the isoelectric IgG point (this is pH 8), where the protein is at its most relaxed, in a compact form. The tris buffer (pH8.0) and the phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) work well. The Fc and Fab portions of IgG adsorb differently in response to the change in pH. A slightly alkaline pH optimizes the adsorption of the Fc portion and ensures the relative suppression of Fab adsorption.

As an alternative to simple adsorption, IgG and serum albumin (human or bovine) can be mixed and then adsorbed simultaneously. A commercial protocol invites a weight ratio of 1 IgG to 10 albumins in a co-adsorption mixture. The adsorption can be followed by the cross-linked glutaraldehyde of the mixed proteins on the surface of the microsphere.

In a covalent bond, the binder is covalently bound to the particle. For example, haptens and other low molecular weight labels, which by themselves may not adsorb well or remain adhered, may be covalently bound to proteins (such as BSA), dextrin, h ____ t __.__.-_-__-___.-_.____. ._SA. * ^ Í6Í.I.Í __ * ^. ^^^ polylysine, or other polymers that adsorb well. Another alternative is to adsorb the polymer onto the particles and then join the hapten or any other label. These polyhaptens are used commercially. Another embodiment is the adsorption of peptide in the microspheres and then covalently binding more peptide on the surface.

Also, any polyclonal antibody (PoAb) can also be used, such as mouse, goat, rabbit, pig, or bovine. These polyclonal antibodies adsorb well and stick to the microspheres to form generic microspheres. These then capture any of the monoclonal antibodies that have been poorly adsorbed (MoAb). In theory, a manufacturer can make a series of tests (or tests) of a PoAb preparation.

Some evidence indicates that 10-40% more protein can be adhered covalently than by adsorption. When the desired protein coverage is low, covalent coupling can provide more precise control over the level of coating. The covalent coupling subject to the protein more surely, a resource in the production of tests or trials that are so sensitive that they can be influenced by minimal amounts of IgG that can leach the particles longer. The covalent bond is more thermally stable. ** j * mm? i.m * > ??? Native silanol groups on the surface of the silica microspheres are readily reacted with aqueous base or solvent based silane coupling agents to produce preactivated silica microspheres with a large amount of surface functional groups. Examples include chloromethyl, carboxyl, and amino groups. ADA and RNA are isolated from the serum by adsorption on the silica in the presence of chaotropic agents. The oligonucleotides can be covalently bound to the modified silica surface via the 5-amino terminus. The lipids can be linked via the carboxy group in the fatty acid chain and the propylamino surface groups on the silica.

After the particles have been loaded or bound with a ligand, they are ready to be applied to the skin to remove contaminants from it. Although the particles can be applied directly to the skin, it is preferable that they be included with the carrier designated to assist in the application of the particles on the skin while reducing the number of particles necessary to effectively remove the desired contaminants. The carrier can be any means that allows effective distribution of the particles over the desired skin area. These carriers include, but are not limited to, lotions, creams, sprays, or solutions. Other natural carriers can be used, such as alginate or chitosan. Additionally, particles can be applied using a non-magnetic cellulosic or polymeric cleaning cloth, which is cleaned through the surface of the skin.

The amount of particles added to the carrier will depend on several factors including the type of carrier used, the contaminants to be removed and the amount of contaminants among others. In general, from about 0.001 to about 10 milligrams of particles will be included per millimeter of carrier. More preferably, the amount of particles will be from about 0.1 to 1.0 mg / ml.

As discussed previously, the present invention preferably uses magnetic particles. The magnetic particles are used in such a way that they are easily removed through the use of magnets. The magnets can be applied directly to the surface, but more preferably, the magnets are associated with a product, such as an article for personal care. The manner in which the particles are applied to the surface and the type of product used to remove the particles will vary, depending on the contaminant to be removed and the area of the surface to be treated.

The magnets used in the present invention are selected to be incorporated into personal care products such that they are capable of removing the magnetic particles. Magnets can be incorporated in both woven and non-woven materials, depending on the product. Additionally, woven and non-woven materials may be composed of natural or synthetic fibers, or a mixture thereof. For example, in an embodiment, the magnets can be incorporated into facial tissues, which consist of plant fibers. In another embodiment, the magnets can be incorporated in the non-woven fabric, such as a diaper or cleaning cloth. However, since these two additions result in different ways of contacting the product to the skin, the products must be designed accordingly. In the facial tissues, the magnets will come into very close contact with the skin. Hence, the number, size and / or strength of the magnets will be different when compared to the magnets placed inside a diaper, which does not come into direct contact with the skin, but which nevertheless must be able to remove the magnetic particles that have been incorporated into the lotion or talcum applied before the diaper was placed.

The present invention also includes methods for removing contaminants using the system of the present invention. Even when the system is expected to be able to remove contaminants, such as debris or microbes, from the surface of the skin, it is also contemplated that the mechanisms described below may allow the system to be used to remove contaminants from a wide variety of surfaces _____________________! __ including, but not limited to, skin, floors, windows, pets, cars, ships, and counter covers.

In use, the means to remove the contaminant are associated with a particle. As noted above, these means may involve linking to a ligand or generating a charge on a particle. After the means to remove the contaminant are associated with the particle, the particle is applied on the surface. The particles can be either applied directly, such as using a cleaning cloth, or they can be included in a carrier that is applied on the surface. After the particles have been applied, the contaminants that will be removed are attached to the means to remove the contaminant. Then, the particles are removed from the surface using the means to complete the task. When the particle is removed from the surface the contaminant is also removed.

This invention is more broadly illustrated by the following additions, which should not be constructed in any way that imposes limitations on its scope. On the contrary, it is clearly understandable that the recourse may be given to several other additions, modifications, and other equivalents which, after reading the present description, may suggest to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and / or of the scope of the appended claims. -, ____ ^ _ ^ - fc ._ * ___-______. -__- A..j__i ___ i-. _w __-____-______. «. fia__rtght - AAi-t¿tj In an embodiment, the magnetic particles can be placed in a carrier, such as a cream, lotion, spray or solution and applied to an open wound. These particles can be associated with a ligand capable of removing bacteria from the wound. Then, the magnetic particles can be located in the gauze or bandage that comes in contact with the wound, the magnets will be able to remove the magnetic particles and contaminants from the wound. In a similar manner, the particles may be associated with a filler or other ligand and used to treat a variety of different rashes or infections.

In another embodiment, the magnetic particles can be associated with a ligand or charge that is capable of binding to the microbes in the waste of the body. Then, the particles can be applied to, for example, a baby using a baby wipe, talcum powder or lotion. The particles will hold the microbes. Then, the diaper that contains the magnets in it can be placed on the baby, where the magnets will remove the magnetic particles and contaminants from the baby's skin, helping to prevent the rash. Similar incorporations with feminine items or adult incontinence devices can be used.

In yet another embodiment, the particles can be used to help clean pores and prevent ^ _¡ ____ l _____ ^ H .__-_-- * - t - ^ skin spots. The particles would be associated with a ligand or charge that is capable of holding the waste or microbes on the surface of the skin. The particles can be included in a carrier such as a cream or lotion. Then, the particles are applied on the surface of the skin where they will hold the waste or microbes. Then, an adhesive tape that has magnets can be applied on the skin. When the tape is removed, the magnetic particles and contaminants can also be removed by helping to clean the pores. Alternatively, a facial cleansing cloth may be used instead of an adhesive tape.

In yet another embodiment, the particles can be used to relieve symptoms associated with sinus problems. Irritation of the skin around the nose can be associated with microbes in the mucosa. To remove these microbes, particles that have the necessary ligand or charge can be applied to the nose using a carrier such as a cream, lotion, or facial tissue. Then, the particles and microbes attached to them can be removed by using another facial tissue that has the magnets on it.

As can be seen, the particles of the present invention can be used in many different embodiments depending on the contaminant to be removed, the surface to be treated, the conveyor used, and the means to remove the particles and contaminants. It should be understood, of course, that the above embodiments relate only to some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. .

EXAMPLES In these examples, ex vivo skin test tapes were prepared. These tapes were then used to determine the effectiveness of the present invention in removing C. Albicans or __ .. Coli from the skin. Figure 1 denotes the magnetic removal protocol used for these examples. The examples were carried out as follows: Process : 1. Make strips of ribbons, 5 pulls per strip of tape on the forearm. 2. Place the strips of ribbons in sources of 6-well plates.

X ^ - ^^. ^^^ .. fa ^ A ^^ AJ .. ^ á ^ fei_i. ^ ¿^ .3 «^, J. ' '- - 3. Block with 2.0 ml of 5% Albumin Bovine Serum (BSA) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2. 4. Incubate 30-32 ° C, 100 revolutions per minute (RPM), for 1 hour. 5. Aspirate wells from 6 dry well plates. 6. Wash the strip of tape with Tris Shock Absorber (TBS pH) 7.4 + 0.5% (BSA), holding the strip of tape with tweezers, use a dropper to rinse the strip of tape twice. 7. Add 1.0 ml (106 CFU / milliliter) of C. Albicans or E. Coli in TBS pH 7.4 for each well. 8. Add 1.0 ml Soy Tipeptic Broth (TSB) to each well. 9. Incubate at 30-32 ° C, 100 revolutions per minute (RPM), for 1 hour. 10 Aspirate wells from 6 dry well plates, 11. Wash the tape strips with TBS pH 7.4 + 0.5% BSA, holding the tape with tweezers, use a dropper to rinse the strip of tape twice. 12. Add 2.0 ml 1/200 anti-C. Rabbit Albicans - Horseradish peroxide (HRP) or anti rabbit E. coli - HRP in TBS pH 7.4 + 0.5% BSA. 13. Incubate at 28-30 ° C, 100 revolutions per minute (RPM), for 1 hour. 14. Add 2.0 ml 1/200 paramagnetic anti-rabbit-drop sheep in TBS pH 7.4 + 0.5% BSA. 15. Incubate at 28-30 ° C, 100 revolutions per minute (RPM), 1 hour. 16. Wash the strip of tape with TBS pH 7.4 + 0.5% BSA, holding the tape with tweezers, use a dropper to rinse the strip of tape twice. 17. Place the strip of tape on a new 6-well plate. 18. Place the magnet on the surface of the strip of tape. i ^ m __- At___i___i __ - _-? .___ * - a. _ .., < -_-___- f 19. Remove the magnet after 3 minutes. 20. Wash the strip of tape with TBS pH 7.4, holding the tape with tweezers, use a dropper to rinse the strip of tape twice. 21. Place the tape on a new 6-well plate 22. Add 2.0 ml of peroxidase substrate (ABTS). 23. Incubate at 28-30 C, 100 revolutions per minute (RPM), 15-30 minutes, read the absorbance at 405 nm. 24. The alternative measurement of C. Albicans is to fix the tape with 2.5% Gluteraldehyde after step 11. 25. Wash the strip of tape with TBS pH 7.4, holding the tape with tweezers, use a dropper to rinse the strip of tape twice. 26. Stain with white Calcofluor. 27. Visually enumerate the yeast using a fluorescent microscope.

Table 1 details the effectiveness of the present invention for the magnetic removal of C. Albicans on the skin.

Table 1% Removal of Yeast Skin Treatment Activity HRP Adhered Activity ABS 405nm HRP No treatment 1.055 No treatment 0.844 Plastic film 0.802 15.5 Magnet covered with plastic film 0.350 63.2 Figures 2 and 3 show the effectiveness of the present invention to remove E. Coli and C. Albicans respectively. As can be seen, the use of the magnetic particle greatly increases the removal of contaminants from a surface such as the skin.

Therefore, as these examples indicate, the present invention offers highly effective means for removal of contaminants from a surface using a magnetic particle that has in itself binding means to selectively remove the contaminating surface. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for removing contaminants from surfaces using magnetic particles and means for removing magnetic particles from the surface. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. _ _: .--- .. _ _ ^ i-A .Í_i

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A surface contaminant removing particle comprising a magnetic metal element and means for selectively binding a contaminant to a surface, where the particle can be removed with the contaminant bound out of the surface by exposure to a magnetic force.

2. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the means thereon for selectively binding a surface contaminant are a ligand.

3. The particle as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the ligand is an antibody, a cell surface receptor, a plant lectin, dolichos biflorus, galanthus nivalis, glycine max, heli pomatia, lens culinaris, phaseolus vulgaris, phytolacca americana, ulex europaeus, vicia villosa, or a combination thereof.

4. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the means thereon for selectively binding a surface contaminant are an electrostatic interaction charge.

5. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the magnetic particle has a positive charge.

6. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the magnetic particle has a negative charge.

7. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the contaminant is a bacterium, yeast, toxin, enzyme, waste, irritant molecules such as cytokines or a combination thereof.

8. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the surface is skin.

9. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the particle has a diameter of less than about 25 μm.

10. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the particle has a diameter of between about 1-10 μm.

11. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the particle has a diameter between about 3-4 μm.

12. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the magnetic metal element comprises iron and the particle comprises between about 1% to 25% by weight of iron.

13. The particle as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the magnetic metal element comprises iron and the particle comprises between about 10% to 20% by weight of iron.

14. A surface contaminant removal system comprising: a particle having a magnetic metal element and means on the particle to selectively bind a contaminant on a surface; a carrier to apply the particle to the surface; Y a magnet, where the particle and the attached contaminant can be removed from the surface by exposure to the magnet.

15. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the carrier is selected from .___ «____-____--. ,,,. Rmtffei f __ *. ^ ---___-_ ---- _ l a lotion, a cream, a spray, a solution, a non-magnetic, a cellulose cleanser, or a non-magnetic, a polymeric cleaning cloth.

16. The system as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that about 0.001 to about 10 mg of particles per milliliter of carrier will be included.

17. The system as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that from about 0.1 to about 1.0 mg / ml of particles per milliliter of carrier will be included.

18. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the means thereon for selectively binding a surface contaminant are a ligand.

19. The system as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that the ligand in an antibody, a cell surface receptor, a plant lectin, dolichos biflorus, galanthus nivalis, glycine max, heli pomatia, lens culinaris, phaseolus vulgaris , American phytolacca, ulex europaeus, vicia villosa, or a combination thereof. _¡ ___ fc_S.

20. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the means thereof for selectively joining a contaminating surface is an electrostatic interaction.

21. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the magnetic particle has a positive charge.

22. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the magnetic particle has a negative charge.

23. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the contaminant is a bacterium, yeast, toxin, enzyme, waste or a combination thereof.

24. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the surface is skin.

25. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the particle has a diameter of less than about 25 μm. 25 ? ^ A _ * -__ fl _?.-_., .., -.__. ". Fc .__ .. ,,., ._, ___., _, ... Jtf. ,,, .. & ??? M. - - _._... ^ _- »< ---. ^.,. Mfc ___-__-. - _ ^ J --_ fe4 (_._

26. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the particle has a diameter between about 1-10 μm.

27. The system as claimed in 1 * clause 14, characterized in that the particle has a diameter between about 3-4 μm.

28. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the magnetic metal element comprises iron and the particle comprises between about 1% to 25% by weight of iron.

29. The system as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the magnetic metal element comprises iron and the particle comprises between about 10% to 20% by weight of iron.

30. A method to remove a surface contaminant that comprises: applying to a contaminated surface a particle having a magnetic metal element and means on the particle to selectively bind a contaminant on a surface; Y * I tM ^^ tí ¡¡¡¡¡¡§ remove the particle and the contaminant bound from the surface by exposure to a magnetic force.

31. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the means thereon for selectively binding a surface contaminant is a ligand.

32. The method as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that the ligand is an antibody, a cell surface receptor, a plant lectin, dolichos biflorus, galanthue nivalis, glycine max, heli pomatia, lens culinaris, phaseolue vulgaris, phytolacca americana, ulex europaeus, vicia villosa, or a combination thereof.

33. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the means for selectively bonding a surface contaminant is an electrostatic interaction.

34. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the magnetic particle has a positive charge.

35. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the magnetic particle has a negative charge.

36. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the contaminant is a bacterium, yeast, toxin, enzyme, waste or a combination thereof.

37. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the surface is skin.

38. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the particle has a diameter of less than about 25 μm.

39. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the particle has a diameter of between about 1-10 μm.

40. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the particle has a diameter between about 3-4 μm.

41. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the magnetic metal element u aae ** ?? á.Álf **** comprises iron, and the particle comprises between about 1% to 25% by weight of iron.

42. The method as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the magnetic metal element comprises iron and the particle comprises between about 10% to 20% by weight of iron. .., ___...._.___ &___.__ I ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A system and method to remove contaminants from a surface. The system is designed to use the particles having means thereof which are capable of selectively binding to a contaminant or contaminants of interest. The particles are applied to the surface where the contaminants are attached to the particle. When the particle is removed, the desired contaminants are also removed. Preferably, the present invention utilizes magnetic particles having iron therein. The particles can then be easily removed using magnets. The means for attaching the contaminants to the particle preferably comprises a ligand or a charge specifically designed to remove the contaminant of interest. The particles can be included in a carrier to facilitate their application to the surface. The invention is specifically useful for the removal of skin contaminants. Ó2¡ 39/2 . _, -_.__ _____ ^ .. ^ _________. _________j________i _____-