Claims for Patent: 5,998,200

Summary for Patent: 5,998,200

Title:	Anti-fouling methods using enzyme coatings
Abstract:	A method for preventing fouling of an aquatic apparatus by an aquatic organism which comprises affixing a biologically active chemical to a surface intended for use in contact with an aquatic environment containing the organism, wherein the chemical is an enzyme, repellant, chelating agent, enzyme inhibitor, or non-metallic toxicant capable of hindering the attachment of the organism to the surface while affixed to the surface, is disclosed along with improved apparatuses which are produced using the method.
Inventor(s):	Bonaventura; Celia (Beaufort, NC), Bonaventura; Joseph (Beaufort, NC), Hooper; Irving R. (Beaufort, NC)
Assignee:	Duke University (Durham, NC)
Application Number:	07/683,130
Patent Claims:	1. A method for preventing fouling of an aquatic apparatus by an aquatic organism without contamination of the environment, which comprises: applying a composition containing an inert matrix having an enzyme chemically bonded thereto, to a surface of said apparatus, wherein said chemically bonded enzyme is capable of hindering attachment of said organism to said surface while applied to said surface; and contacting at least part of said surface with an aquatic environment which contains an aquatic organism capable of fouling said aquatic apparatus and is one aquatic environment selected from the group consisting of natural fresh-water environments, estuary aquatic environments, sea waters, cooling tower systems, fresh water piping systems, salt water piping systems, ponds, lakes, harbors, dredged channels, and desalination systems, thereby hindering attachment of said organism to said surface by interfering with said organisms mechanisms for attachment to submerged surfaces. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said surface is non-porous. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said surface is smooth. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said surface is an external surface of an aquatic apparatus. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said aquatic environment is one aquatic environment selected from the group consisting of sea waters, cooling tower systems, fresh water piping systems, salt water piping systems, desalination systems, ponds, lakes, and dredged channels. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is a serine protease, a sulfhydryl protease, or a metalloprotease. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said organism is a bacterium, fungus, alga, protozoan, poriferum, coelenterate, platyheminthe, neinerta, rotifera, bryozoan, brachiopod, annelid, arthropod, mollusc, chordate, or echinodermate. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said organism is a unicellular organism. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said enzyme is chitinase, papaya protease, Streptomyces protease, .beta.-amylase, .beta.-glucosidase, glycosidase, cellulase, pectinase, collagenase, hyaluronidase, .beta.-glucuronidase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin, chymopapain, carboxpeptidase A or B, or thermolysin. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said aquatic apparatus is one member selected from the group consisting of ship hulls, pilings, glass and other transparent observation windows, sonar domes, water-conducting pipes, cooling towers, ponds, pumps, valves, and filtration members. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said aquatic environment is an estuary, or a harbor. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said organism is a plant or an animal. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said organism is at least one member selected from the group consisting of bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, porifera, coelenterata, platyhelminthes, nemertea, rotifera, bryozoa, brachiopoda, annelida, arthropoda, mollusca, echinodermata, and chordata. 14. A method for preventing fouling of an aquatic apparatus by an aquatic organism without contamination of the environment, which comprises: coating a surface of said apparatus with a composition containing an inert matrix and a biologically active enzyme chemically bonded to said inert matrix, wherein said enzyme is capable of hindering attachment of said organism to said surface while coated on said surface, wherein said apparatus is one member selected from the group consisting of ship hulls, pilings, glass and other transparent observation windows, sonar domes, water-conducting pipes, cooling towers, ponds, pumps, and valves.

Details for Patent 5,998,200

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Discure Medical, Llc	CHYMODIACTIN	chymopapain	For Injection	018663	11/10/1982		2016-12-07
Discure Medical, Llc	CHYMODIACTIN	chymopapain	For Injection	018663	08/21/1984		2016-12-07
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated	VITRASE	hyaluronidase	Injection	021640	05/05/2004		2016-12-07
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated	VITRASE	hyaluronidase	Injection	021640	12/02/2004		2016-12-07
Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	AMPHADASE	hyaluronidase	Injection	021665	10/26/2004		2016-12-07