Prevention and Remediation of Biofilms in Dental Units

描述：（由申请人提供）有大量证据表明，在牙科单位的水线内生长的生物膜中有丰富的微生物，以及它们随后引起感染的潜力。目前对付这个问题的方法效果有限。所提出的设备是一种适用于任何牙科设备的系统，既能产生按需消毒剂来修复牙科设备水管内的生物膜，又能产生远低于ADA推荐目标200 cfu/ml的高质量冲洗剂。该设备的额外优点是需要最少的用户干预和无消耗品。在线系统使用紫外线杀菌灯和电化学电池的组合，以两种浓度按需产生过氧化氢。浓度较高的将作为定期冲洗去除生物膜污染，而浓度较低的将用作灌溉液中的连续生物抑制剂。第一阶段的研究表明，该设备既可行又有效。所提出的设备是完全可扩展的，可以使用廉价的部件制造，并且是电力驱动的，这使得它在广泛的商业应用中具有吸引力。

DESCRIPTION: (provided by the applicant) There is a substantial body of evidence demonstrating the abundance of microorganisms in biofilms growing inside water lines of dental units and their subsequent potential for causing infection. Current methods for countering the problem are of limited effectiveness. The device proposed is a system suitable for use with any dental unit, producing both an on-demand disinfectant to remediate biofilms within the dental unit water lines and a quality irrigant well below the ADA recommended goal of 200 cfu/ml. The device has the added advantages of requiring minimal user intervention and no consumables. The in line system uses a combination of an ultraviolet germicidal lamp to eliminate organisms from the incoming water stream, and an electrochemical cell which produces hydrogen peroxide on-demand at two concentrations. The higher concentration will be used as a periodic flush to rid lines of biofilm contamination, while the lower concentration will be used as a continuous biostatic agent in the irrigant. The Phase I study has demonstrated that the device is both feasible and effective. The proposed device is fully scalable, can be manufactured using inexpensive parts, and is electrically driven making it attractive technology for a wide range of commercial applications.