Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
METHOD OF CHEMICAL DEODORIZATION OF ARTICLES AND
SOLUTIONS USED IN ~DICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to -the deodoriza-tion o~ solutions,
articles, devices, and other equipment used in carryiny out bio-
logical and medical procedures. ~ore particularly, the invention
is directed to a method for chemically deodorizing apparatus in-
cluding medical instruments such as endoscopes, related equip-
ment, and also the solutions and vessels used in conducting explora-
tive medical and therapeutic procedures. The deodorization of
rooms is also embraced in the method of the invention.
The invention itself is predicated on an unexpected
and totally unpredictable discovery of a "new use" for a particu-
lar, known chemical compound.
Many "deodorants" and deodorant preparations have been
described for use to mask or cover-up objectionable or unpleasant
odors derived from various sources. Some of these preparations
have been designated for household use; others for use in indus-
trial or manufacturing establishments. Still others have been
promoted for use primarily in sick rooms, nursing homes, and in
medical offices, examining and treatment rooms, and in hospitals.
For the most partl the prior art products employed have
been dispensed as air-borne sprays, usually as vapors from pres
surized aerosol containers.
The "deodorizing" formulations which have heretofore
been used depend entirely upon "counter-acting" or blanketing
the unpleasant odor. Other odor-producing materials, such as
essential oils ("perfumes"), and functionally e~uivalent odor-
iferous preparations have been used to cover-up or mask the par-
ticular odor sought to be curtailed or eliminated.
None of the prior art products, preparations, or formu-
lations deals direct]y with o~fending odor-producing material;
12~3~9 E:;
none attacks the problem at its source. None acts directly on
the chemical agent or agents which generate and are thus directly
responsible for the offensive or otherwise objectionable odor.
None "eliminates" the odor, but only covers it or masks it,
temporarily at best. The results achieved have been far from satis-
factory, and any "cover-up" achieved is short lived.
The present invention deals effectively with and re-
solves a problem which has, until now, defied solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is based on the unexpected, sur-
prising, unpredictable, and unobvious discovery that a specific
organic compound may be used effectively as a chemical deodorant.
The term "chemical deodorant" as used herein is intended to por-
tray the fact that the compound identified and used in the method
of the inve~tion functions to eliminate the objectionable odor
by complexing, chelating, or by otherwise reacting chem}cally
directly with the odor-producing agent. In this sense, the chemi-
cal deodorant of the invention is substantively different in kind
and in function from the masking and the cover-up agents of the
prior art.
While the exact nature and the precise mechanism of
the critical reactions which occur in the practice of the invention
are not presently known, the observed and demonstrated effect
is unequivocal. The method of the invention is effective per-
manently to destroy the odor as well as the odor-generating
capacity of the odoriferous metabolically produced organics with
which the chemical deodorant of the invention comes into func~
tional contact. It is an important feature of the method of the
invention t~at the chemical deodorant is effective to eliminate
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odors derived from various sources including those derived from
urine and from fecal matter.
Another important feature is that solutions containiny
the active chemical compound of the invention will not support
bacterial growth; they are in this sense "self-sterilizing."
Yet another feature of the odor-destroying compositions
of the invention is that they are non-toxic in nature.
A related feature is that the chemical deodorant of
the invention, as used in practicing the invention, is not a
primary, a secondary, or a tertiary skin sensitizer.
A utilitarian feature of the method of the invention
is that it is useful in eliminating odors derived from colon
endoscopic procedures including ddors from vacuum tanks and from
recirculation tanks employed in such procedures.
A related feature of the invention is that it is use-
ful in endoscopically-assisted urological and proctoscopic pro-
cedures.
Yet another important feature is that the chemical
deodorant of the invention may be added to the water circulated
in an endoscopic system without interfering with the efficacy
of the procedure being carried out.
An important practical feature of the method of the
invention is its versatility and its widespread utility. It has
been found useful as a wash or rinse solution to deodorize appa-
ratus and fixtures including sinks, cGmmodes, bed pans and
urinals. It also functions effectively as a spray to remove
airborne odors in the ambient environment.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages
of the invention will become more clearly understood upon a
review of the following detailed description of preEerred embodi~
ments of the method of the invention. Such embodiments are pre-
sented here as examples only and are not to be considared as
limiting the invention in any way.
19~
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF P:REFERRED EMBODI~IENTS
The present invention is predicated on the discovery
that a specific organic compound, namely 2,4-pentanedione, has
the uni~ue and unexpected and unpredic-table capability of being
used as a chemical agent to destroy certain unpleasant and ohjec-
tionable odors. The compound used in practicing the methvd of
the invention has the empirical Eormula C5H802 and the structure
O O
H3C-C-CH2-C--CH3
The compound, 2,4-pentanedione, is also known in the literature
as acetyl acetone or as diacetyl methane.
In accordance with the present invention, it has been
found that, in contrast with prior widely used "cover-up" and
"masking" preparations, the 2,~-pentanedione of the invention
functions as a viable chemical reactant in the odor-generating
system into which it is introduced or to which it is physically
applied. Rather than functioning as a "cover-up" or "mask" (by
virtue of its own counter "essence," "scent,")the 2,4-pentanedione
as used in accordance with the method of the invention chelates,
or complexes, or otherwise reacts with the odor-producing yroup
or moiety of the odorierous chemicals. The ultimate effect of
this chemical interaction is to nullify or functionally to neutra-
lize or to destroy the propensity of the material to release un
pleasant odors.
~ he mode of application of the chemical deodorant of
the invention to t~e articles, or devices, or media to be deo-
dorized is not critical. In a pxeferred embodiment of the method
of the invention, the 2,4-pentanedione is used in the form of
an aqueous solution in which the odor-destroying agent is present
in a concentration-in the range of from about 0.1 percent to
about 8 percent by weight. For most applications a 2 percent
solution is preferred.
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In addition to the "active agent," it has been found
advantageous, for some applications, to include a small concen-
tration, in the order of 0.05 to 0.5 percent by weight of an
aromatic essential oil or "perfume" to impart a pleasant aroma to
the treating composition. In a preferred formulation of the in-
vention the essential oil concentration is about 0.2 percent.
Suitable aromatic additives include geraniole, jasmine base,
vanillin, ethyl vanillin, almond extract, lemon oil, lime oil,
heliotropin, terpenes, lilac extract, and lavender oil. It will
be appreciated that the exact concentration o~ axomatic material
used may be lesser or greater than the range indicated and will be
affected by the "strength" of the particular "oil" or the oil
mixture selected, and by subjective considerations.
In order to enhance the dispersibility and the solu-
bility of the essential oil in the aqueous system, a surfactant
may be incorporated in the composition. The selection of any
specific surfactant will be dictated, in part, by the par~icular
essential oil used. In a preferred formulation for practicing
the method of the invention, the "non-ionics" are preferred
surfactants.
The concentration of the surfactant is conveniently
in the range of about 1 percent by weight in the final aqueous
solution. Those skilled in the art will understand that the
surfactant concentration parameter is in no sens~ critical. In
the light of the teachin~s herein set forth, persons skilled in
the art will be able to make their own formulations including
alternative combinations of essential oils and surfactants with-
out the exercise of any inventive faculty, and within the concept
of and without departing from the invention itself.
The essence of the present invention is in the use of
2,4-pentanedione as a destroyer of odors, and not in any specific
formulation of carrier or diluent composition.
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A preferred working formulation used in practicin~ the
method of the invention is set forth below, the relative concen-
trations being in parts-by-weigh-t.
2,4-pentanedione 70
essential oil 7
surfactant 35
water 3,673
It has been found that the aqueous composition used
in the mekhod of the invention is conveniently-prepared in accor-
dance with the following general procedure:
As a first step, the essential oil is mixed with the
surfactant. An al~quot, for example, about 10 percent of the
total water is then added, with stirring. ~hereafter, the re-
maining water is added in several incremental steps, the mixture
being thoroughly stirred after each addition. Finally, the
2,4-pentanedione is added, with stirring, to provide a homo-
geneous working composition. Preferably, the water used should
be distilled water or "softened" water and should be preheated
to a temperature in the range of 110F to about 150F, and pre-
ferably 130F. Lesser or greater concentrations of water, for
example, from about 850 to about 70,000 parts by weight, may be
used for specific applications.
Treatment of articles or devices in accordance with
the invention is carried out conveniently by washing with or by
dipping in the 2,4-pentanedione solution. Removal of unpleasant
room odors is achieved by distributing the chemical deodorant
composition as an air spray. Spills or "accidents" in sick rooms
or in examination rooms may be handled similarly. When used wi~h
an endoscopic device, a mixture consisting of the deodorizing solu~
tion and water (preferably sterile) is substituted for the water
normally used. A suitable ~ormulation is one-third to one-half
deodorizin~ solution, and the balance sterile water. It is an
1~33~ 36
important property of the deodorizing composition of the inven-
tion that it will not support bacterial growth. Solutions con-
taining the 2,4-pentanedione appear to be "self-sterilizing."
