Disposable Antimicrobial Spectacle Arm Sleeves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spectacles in healthcare settings are susceptible to contamination from infectious agents and hazardous chemicals due to their high-touch nature, leading to potential cross-contamination and infection risks, especially since standard sterilization methods can damage the eyewear and are not always effective.

Innovation Solution

Disposable sleeves and nose bridge covers with antimicrobial properties, containing agents like silver ions or biocides, are designed to cover the spectacle arms and nose bridge, providing a self-disinfecting layer to prevent contamination and protect the eyewear from microbial and chemical exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spectacles are frequently used in healthcare settings, then they provide essential vision correction and protection, but they become contaminated with infectious agents and hazardous chemicals due to high-touch surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection functionVSAvoidcontamination from infectious agents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A disposable sleeve is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the spectacles and the contaminated healthcare environment. The sleeve covers the spectacle arms and nose bridge, preventing direct contact with infectious agents and chemicals while allowing the spectacles to fulfill their protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable sleeves that are discarded after a single use or short period. This eliminates the need for repeated sterilization of the spectacles themselves, preventing contamination buildup while avoiding damage to the expensive eyewear from sterilization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If standard sterilization methods are applied to spectacles, then contamination is reduced, but the eyewear suffers damage and functional degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoidstructural integrity of eyewear

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The contamination problem is extracted from the spectacles themselves and transferred to the disposable sleeve. The sleeve absorbs the sterilization burden, allowing the spectacles to remain uncontaminated without undergoing damaging sterilization processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of repeatedly sterilizing the durable spectacles, the patent uses inexpensive disposable sleeves that are discarded after use. This avoids exposing the spectacles to damaging sterilization conditions while still achieving contamination control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If disposable covers are used to protect spectacles, then contamination risk is reduced, but the complexity of the system increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-contamination riskVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses flexible, thin-film disposable sleeves that can be easily molded over the existing spectacle structure. These thin covers add minimal complexity while providing effective barrier protection against contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable sleeve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical barrier against contamination, a disposable sterilization medium, and a protective layer for the spectacles. This multi-functionality justifies the added component without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 sleeves and nose bridge covers effectively reduce the risk of contamination and infection by using antimicrobial agents to kill microorganisms, preventing the spread of infectious agents, and protecting the eyewear from damage during sterilization, thus ensuring safer use and prolonged functionality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one antimicrobial agent containing component applied to a surface of the tubular body and/or dispersed therein to impart the antimicrobial property thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOligodynamic effect:

Implementation Method 2

the at least one antimicrobial agent containing component comprises an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of an oligodynamic metal ion, a quaternary ammonium compound, a biocide, an antibiotic and a photocatalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocide action:

Data Source

PatentUS11528905B2Disposable sleeve having an antimicrobial property for covering an arm of a pair of spectacles

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 EDYE PTY LTD

AI summary

A disposable sleeve having an antimicrobial property for covering an arm of a pair of spectacles is presently disclosed. The disposable sleeve comprises a generally tubular body having an opening at least one end thereof for receiving the spectacle arm, and at least one antimicrobial agent containing component applied to a surface of the tubular body and/or dispersed therein to impart the antimicrobial property thereto.