Disinfectants with iodine and copper complexes for use against coronavirus
Inventors
Morgan, Douglas J. • Harrison, Steve • Rhodes, Tanya
Assignees
Clyra Medical Technologies Inc • Clyra Medical Technologies Inc
Publication Number
US-11744249-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-05
Expiration Date
2040-05-14
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Abstract
Liquid antimicrobial disinfectant compositions for treatment of coronaviruses and specifically the Covid-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) on skin and surfaces such as PPE (personal protective equipment) are disclosed that are highly efficacious and exhibit total eradication below detectable limits at 30 minutes (>6 log kill) against coronavirus (resulting in complete inactivation), while remaining non-toxic, safe and non-irritating (including at a cellular level and with extended contact) to skin and endogenous tissue. Such disinfectant compositions are additionally highly effective against other pathogens, have extended antimicrobial and antiviral activity for more than 24 hours, have a bio-compatible pH, are suitable for personal, clinical and surgical use and are safe to skin, mucous membranes and wounds, remain stable without precipitation, discoloration or loss of antimicrobial efficacy for at least 12 months, and are beneficial for a range of applications and uses in improving and supporting human and animal health.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to stable liquid antimicrobial disinfectant compositions comprising potassium iodide and copper sulfate in a carrier liquid such as water or saline. These compositions generate free iodine levels between about 100 ppm to 330 ppm and have a biologically compatible pH range of about 3.5 to 7.5. The compositions demonstrate sustained antimicrobial activity for at least 24 hours with greater than 4 log kill rates against common pathogens, including the ESKAPE pathogens and coronaviruses, and maintain long-term stability for at least 12 months without precipitation, discoloration, or loss of efficacy.
The problem addressed is the challenge posed by prior iodine-based antiseptics, which exhibit significant cytotoxicity, irritation, and wound healing delays due to high iodine concentrations or additives such as acidifying agents or peptides. Existing products like Povidone Iodine have low free iodine content and are not approved for use on open wounds or intact skin without dilution and flushing due to toxicity concerns. Additionally, balancing antimicrobial efficacy with safety and stability remains problematic, as higher iodine concentrations cause tissue damage while lower concentrations lack effectiveness. Copper has known antimicrobial properties but must be balanced similarly to avoid toxicity.
The invention solves these issues by discovering a unique stoichiometric balance and concentration of potassium iodide and copper sulfate that generates sufficient free iodine and copper complexes to provide effective antimicrobial and antiviral activity, including rapid and complete inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 within 30 minutes. This is achieved without additional buffers, pH adjusters, or surfactants, resulting in a non-toxic, non-irritating formulation safe for extended contact with skin and endogenous tissue. The composition is also stable and maintains pH without precipitating iodine over long storage, suitable for a wide variety of medical and disinfectant uses, including treatment of wounds, prevention and treatment of infections, and disinfection of PPE and surfaces.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering stable liquid antimicrobial disinfectant compositions and methods, focusing on their formulation, concentrations, stability, safety, and antiviral efficacy against coronaviruses.
Stable liquid antimicrobial disinfectant composition formulation
The composition comprises at least 95.0% by weight of a carrier liquid; potassium iodide at a first effective concentration; copper sulfate at a second effective concentration; the mixture generates free iodine from about 100 ppm to about 330 ppm; absence of metallo-peptides, acidifying agents, buffers, or surfactants in the carrier liquid; and maintains a pH from about 4.0 to 7.0 without discoloration or solid iodine precipitation for at least 6 months.
Specific carrier liquid and concentration ranges
Carrier liquid comprising purified water or saline with NaCl concentration from about 0% to 3%, preferably about 0.9%; carrier liquid comprising about 98% to 99.9% by weight of the composition; copper sulfate present as anhydrous copper sulfate or copper sulfate pentahydrate; potassium iodide concentration between about 0.025% to 0.100% by weight; copper sulfate concentration adjusted accordingly; ratio of moles potassium iodide to moles copper sulfate between about 1.25 to 1.75.
Precise concentration and free iodine content
Potassium iodide concentration about 0.0625% by weight; copper sulfate concentration about 0.040% (anhydrous) or 0.0625% (pentahydrate) by weight; free iodine generated between about 200 ppm to about 300 ppm, typically about 250 ppm; composition stable without discoloration or solid iodine precipitation for at least 24 months.
Antimicrobial and antiviral efficacy and prolonged activity
Composition demonstrates sustained antimicrobial activity lasting at least three days with greater than 4 log kill rate against bacterial pathogens, including the ESKAPE pathogens; total eradication below detectable limits within 30 minutes (>6 log kill) against coronavirus, specifically including SARS-CoV-2.
Method to produce the stable antimicrobial disinfectant solution
Method includes providing a carrier liquid of water or saline constituting about 95% to 99.9% of composition weight; adding potassium iodide and copper sulfate in effective concentrations; ensuring potassium iodide is the reaction limiting component with mole ratio to copper sulfate between about 1.25 to 1.75; generating free iodine amount between about 100 ppm to 330 ppm; absence of metallo-peptides, acidifying agents, buffers, or surfactants; maintaining pH between about 4.0 to 7.0 without discoloration or precipitation for at least 24 months.
The claims establish a composition and method for preparing a stable, non-toxic, non-irritating iodine-copper antimicrobial disinfectant formulation with defined component concentrations and mole ratios that achieves sustained antimicrobial and antiviral efficacy, including rapid and complete inactivation of coronaviruses, while maintaining biocompatible pH and long-term stability without additives that impair performance or safety.
Stated Advantages
The compositions are highly efficacious against coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, achieving total eradication below detectable limits within 30 minutes with greater than 6 log kill.
They exhibit sustained antimicrobial and antiviral activity for 24 hours or more and continued effectiveness for at least three days.
The compositions are non-toxic, safe, and non-irritating to skin and endogenous tissue even under extended contact, including at cellular levels.
They maintain bio-compatible pH levels suitable for direct application on skin and wounds, avoiding stinging, irritation, or delayed wound healing.
The invention demonstrates long-term stability without precipitation, discoloration, or loss of antimicrobial efficacy for at least 12 to 24 months, supporting commercial shelf life requirements.
The compositions provide effective action against common pathogens including multidrug-resistant ESKAPE bacteria and biofilms, exceeding standard care log reduction levels.
They can be safely used repeatedly on skin and personal protective equipment without causing dryness or cracking, unlike alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Documented Applications
Treatment of wounds and burns, including acute and chronic dermal lesions, surgical wounds, pathological wounds, and skin infections.
Prevention and treatment of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections on or within the body or wounds.
Use as a hospital-grade disinfectant for cleansing and disinfecting personal protective equipment, gloves, masks, skin, and other surfaces contaminated with coronavirus.
Use as an oral rinse for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes in oral surgical applications and maintenance of oral hygiene.
Application on animals for wound treatment, infection prevention, surgical prophylaxis, oral rinsing, and disinfection.
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