Adhesive Patch with Permeable Antimicrobial Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality due to contamination of medical devices and sites, often resulting from inadequate antiseptic preparations and the spread of multi-antimicrobial resistant organisms, particularly MRSA, which are exacerbated by the widespread use of chlorhexidine gluconate.

Innovation Solution

Development of adhesive patches with an impermeable backing and a permeable layer saturated with an antimicrobial agent, comprising water, EDTA, ethanol, and hydrogen peroxide, that create a lasting barrier against contamination by adhering to skin or tissue, allowing the antimicrobial composition to penetrate and provide ongoing protection against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chlorhexidine gluconate is used for routine washing and wiping of pre-operative sites, then antiseptic preparation is achieved, but resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and CHG-resistant) incidence increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantiseptic preparation effectivenessVSAvoidresistant bacteria incidence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the antimicrobial agent by using a combination of ingredients (water, EDTA, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide) instead of single-agent chlorhexidine gluconate. This parameter change maintains antiseptic effectiveness while reducing the selection pressure for resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite antimicrobial composition containing multiple active ingredients (EDTA as a chelating agent, ethanol as a disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent) working synergistically. This composite approach provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity without promoting single-agent resistance patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If adhesive patches with antimicrobial composition are applied to create lasting barrier protection, then ongoing antimicrobial protection is provided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial protection durationVSAvoidpatch structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial composition is pre-saturated into the permeable layer during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate application steps. The patch is ready for immediate use with the antimicrobial agent already in place to provide prolonged protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin-film permeable layer saturated with antimicrobial composition, bonded to an impermeable backing. This thin-film structure provides prolonged antimicrobial protection without significant increase in device complexity or bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If permeable layer saturated with antimicrobial agent is used, then antimicrobial penetration and ongoing protection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial penetration effectivenessVSAvoidpatch manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patch is designed as a disposable single-use device with pre-saturated antimicrobial composition. This eliminates complex manufacturing processes for recharging or refilling, simplifying production while ensuring consistent antimicrobial penetration performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the impermeable backing layer with the permeable antimicrobial layer into a single bonded structure. This integration simplifies manufacturing by combining multiple functions (barrier protection and antimicrobial delivery) into one unified device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The adhesive patches effectively reduce and prevent infections by creating an uncontaminated zone, allowing medical procedures to proceed safely while providing long-lasting antimicrobial protection even after volatile constituents evaporate, thereby reducing the incidence of resistant bacteria and other microorganisms.

Implementation Method 1

a permeable layer coupled to the impermeable backing layer and saturated with an antimicrobial composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

providing long-lasting antimicrobial protection even after volatile constituents evaporate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10617472B2Adhesive patch with antimicrobial composition

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 HYPROTECH INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes example adhesive medical patches that may be used in combination with one or more antimicrobial agents to create and/or maintain an area of human skin that is free from contaminants. According to some embodiments, the disclosure describes that the adhesive patches may contain an adhesive material affixed to the perimeter of an impermeable backing According to some embodiments, the adhesive patch may also have a permeable layer containing an antimicrobial agent located interior to the adhesive material on the impermeable backing.