Biodegradable Polyester Antimicrobial Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial compositions face challenges in achieving effective antimicrobial activity while being biocompatible and biodegradable, particularly in applications such as food safety and medical uses, where stability during processing and controlled release of antimicrobial agents are crucial.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester with an antimicrobial component, such as cationic amine compounds or fatty acid esters, and an enhancer, which is biocompatible and biodegradable, allowing for controlled release of antimicrobial agents and enhanced antimicrobial activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antimicrobial agents are added to biodegradable polymer compositions, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but stability during processing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidprocessing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an enhancer component as an intermediary substance that facilitates the incorporation and stability of antimicrobial agents in the polymer matrix. The enhancer acts as a mediator between the antimicrobial agent and the biodegradable polymer, enabling effective antimicrobial activity while maintaining processing stability through synergistic interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system comprising biodegradable polymer, antimicrobial agent, and enhancer component. This composite approach allows the combination of materials with different properties to achieve both antimicrobial activity and processing stability, where the synergistic effect of multiple components resolves the contradiction between functionality and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If antimicrobial agents are incorporated at high concentrations, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but biocompatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of antimicrobial agents by incorporating them at controlled levels (greater than 1 percent by weight of the aliphatic polyester) rather than high concentrations. This parameter optimization achieves effective antimicrobial activity while maintaining biocompatibility and avoiding harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The enhancer component serves as an intermediary that enables effective antimicrobial activity at lower concentrations of the antimicrobial agent itself. By using the enhancer as a mediator, the system achieves synergistic effects that provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity without requiring high concentrations that would compromise biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial agents are used, then antimicrobial activity is improved, but biodegradability and environmental safety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies parameter changes in the chemical composition, using biodegradable aliphatic polyester as the polymer matrix and selecting antimicrobial agents that are compatible with biodegradability. This parameter optimization ensures the entire composition maintains biodegradability while achieving effective antimicrobial activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable materials that can be disposed of or decomposed naturally after use, aligning with the principle of using temporary or disposable materials that do not persist in the environment. The biodegradable polymer matrix and compatible antimicrobial agents ensure the composition can be safely degraded, eliminating long-term environmental contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 composition exhibits significant antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including Gram-negative bacteria, while being safe for use in food and medical applications, with the antimicrobial agents being released as the polyester degrades, providing a self-disinfecting property and reducing surface fouling and biofilm formation.

Implementation Method 1

Degradation of aliphatic polyesters can occur through multiple mechanisms including hydrolysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The antimicrobial component is selected from cationic antimicrobial amine compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Data Source

PatentUS9555167B2Biocompatible antimicrobial compositions

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

Antimicrobial compositions comprising aliphatic polyester, and an antimicrobial component effective for antimicrobial activity, and, in some embodiments, an enhancer. Example: blend of poly(lactic acid) polymer (55g) with propyleneglycol monolaurate antimicrobial component (9g), and benzoic acid enhancer (1g). Inventive resin compositions are effective against gram negative and gram positive bacteria, mold and mildew. Preferred compositions comprise materials that are GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe).