Antimicrobial Coating with Oxygen Permeable Transport Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antimicrobial materials release high concentrations of biocides, causing cytotoxic effects on higher cells and rapidly depleting their antimicrobial effect due to leaching, which is problematic in medical and sanitary applications.

Innovation Solution

A coating material comprising a carrier layer, a biocide layer with a biocidic agent, and a transport control layer with specific gas permeability for oxygen, regulating the release of the biocidic agent to prevent cytotoxicity while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial materials release high concentration of biocide, then antimicrobial effect is improved, but cytotoxic effect on higher cells occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectVSAvoidcytotoxic effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is divided into multiple layers with different functions: a carrier layer, a biocide layer containing the biocidic agent, and a transport control layer. This segmentation allows the biocide to be released in a controlled manner, maintaining antimicrobial efficacy while reducing cytotoxicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport control layer acts as an intermediary between the biocide layer and the external environment. It regulates the release of the biocidic agent, allowing controlled diffusion that maintains effective antimicrobial concentrations while preventing excessive release that would cause cytotoxic effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If conventional antimicrobial materials release biocide rapidly, then initial antimicrobial effect is strong, but antimicrobial effect is rapidly depleted due to leaching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiocide release rateVSAvoidantimicrobial effect persistence

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transport control layer provides dynamic control over biocide release, adjusting the release rate over time. Initially, it allows sufficient release for strong antimicrobial effect, then gradually reduces release to maintain persistence without rapid depletion from leaching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer structure ensures continuous antimicrobial action by maintaining a steady supply of biocidic agent through the transport control layer, preventing the rapid depletion that occurs with conventional single-layer materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If biocide concentration is increased to enhance antimicrobial effect, then effectiveness against microorganisms is improved, but tissue irritation and allergies are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidtissue irritation and allergies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different layers of the coating have different local qualities: the biocide layer contains high biocide concentration for effectiveness, while the transport control layer regulates release to prevent harmful effects. This spatial differentiation of properties allows high effectiveness without increased tissue irritation or allergies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 coating material provides a prolonged antimicrobial effect against microorganisms like Staphylococcus epidermidis without being cytotoxic, enhancing durability and reducing the risk of tissue irritation or allergic reactions.

Implementation Method 1

a transport control layer applied to a biocide layer with a gas permeability for oxygen (O2) of between 50 and less than 100 (cm3 bar)/(day m2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas permeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9173406B2Coating material

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

The invention relates to an antimicrobial and non-cytotoxic coating material and to uses of said coating material.