Antimicrobial Compounds for Durable Material Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing materials used in medical and other contexts are susceptible to microbial contamination, and current antimicrobial approaches are imperfect in conferring effective and durable antimicrobial properties.

Innovation Solution

Development of homopolymer compounds with specific substituents (R and X) that can be easily combined with base materials to confer antimicrobial properties, reducing microbial load and preventing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If sterilization techniques are used to reduce microbial contamination, then microbial load is temporarily reduced, but the effect is not durable and protocols are imperfect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoidduration of antimicrobial effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating antimicrobial compounds into materials during the manufacturing process, so that the antimicrobial protection is already present before the material is put into service. This ensures continuous protection rather than temporary post-treatment effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The material itself provides antimicrobial protection through incorporated compounds, making the material self-protecting against microbial contamination. The material serves its own protective function without requiring external sterilization interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial coatings are applied to materials, then antimicrobial properties are conferred, but the coatings may not provide durable or effective protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoideffectiveness and durability of antimicrobial protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite materials by incorporating antimicrobial compounds (such as silver ions, zinc ions, or organic antimicrobials) into the base material matrix. This composite structure ensures the antimicrobial agent is uniformly distributed and provides reliable, durable protection throughout the material's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the base material by incorporating specific concentrations of antimicrobial compounds. This changes the material's properties to include sustained antimicrobial activity, transforming it from a non-active to an active antimicrobial material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4171558B1Antimicrobial compounds and compositions

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 PREVENIAL LLC

AI summary

Disclosed are antimicrobial compounds according to Formula (I): wherein R is H, -OH, -CH2CH3, -(CH2)2CH3, -(CH2)3CH3, or -(CH2)2OCH3; and,X is a negative counterion that is bromide, chloride, fluoride, or a phosphate. The disclosed compounds may be used to form compositions and articles that resist microbial contamination.