Antimicrobial Coating for Curable Fiberglass Splints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Splints used in healthcare are not sterilized, potentially harboring harmful microorganisms and causing odor, which can lead to infections, especially when applied to wounds like cuts or burns.
Innovation Solution
A splinting system comprising a curable fiberglass cloth coated with water curable resin, enveloped by a pad with an antimicrobial coating, and stored in a metal foil pouch with an antimicrobial coating, which includes silane quaternary ammonium ions to prevent microbial growth and odor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If splints are used for healthcare purposes without sterilization, then they can be applied to injured body parts, but they harbor harmful microorganisms that can be transferred to the injured person causing infection
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial coating is applied to the pad and pouch before the splint is used, providing preliminary protection against microbial contamination. This pre-treatment ensures that when the splint contacts the injured person, the harmful microorganisms are already inhibited by the active ingredients in the coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial coating acts as an intermediary layer between the splint material and the injured person's skin. This intermediate layer contains active ingredients that prevent direct contact and potential transfer of harmful microorganisms from the splint to the wound area.
2Ease of operation
If splints contact the skin of the person, then they provide immobilization, but they have a tendency to cause odor
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial coating serves as an intermediary layer between the splint and skin, providing odor protection while maintaining the necessary skin contact for immobilization. The coating's active ingredients inhibit bacterial growth that would otherwise cause odor during prolonged skin contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating changes the surface properties of the pad through the addition of antimicrobial agents, altering the biochemical environment to prevent odor-causing bacterial proliferation while maintaining physical contact capabilities.
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 antimicrobial coating significantly reduces the risk of microbial transfer and odor, ensuring a safer and more hygienic splinting solution by preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses, and maintaining hygiene during application and use.
Implementation Method 1
an antimicrobial coating applied to the exterior surface; wherein, the antimicrobial coating includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof
Implementation Method 2
layers of fiberglass cloth coated with a water curable resin
Data Source
AI summary
A splinting system that includes a curable splint member including layers of fiberglass cloth coated with a water curable resin, and a pad at least partially enveloping the layers of fiberglass cloth, the pad having an exterior surface and an antimicrobial coating applied to the exterior surface; and a metal foil pouch containing the curable splint member, the metal foil pouch including an exterior surface. The antimicrobial coating includes a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof is one or more of: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The antimicrobial coating can be applied to the curable splint member by applying a solution, which includes 0.1 percent and 10 percent by weight the silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof and an isopropyl alcohol solvent, to the exterior surface of the pad.