Crosslinked Antimicrobial Textile Coating for Wash-Durable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional antimicrobial treatments for hospital fabrics are ineffective due to uneven coatings, rapid wear-off, potential for resistance development, neutralization by disinfectants, leaching, and ineffectiveness against 'superbugs', leading to significant healthcare-associated infections.

Innovation Solution

An antimicrobial-binder mixture using guar gum and organo silane quaternary amine with spiked structures is applied to fabrics, ensuring even distribution and fixation through a curing process, preventing leaching and maintaining efficacy after multiple washes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If traditional silver salt antimicrobial treatments are applied to fabrics, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but the coating wears off after relatively low number of washes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of antimicrobial activityVSAvoidcoating uniformity and adherence

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial composition is segmented into distinct functional components: organo silane molecules with spiked structures for antimicrobial activity, binder polymers for adhesion, and crosslinking agents for network formation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, resulting in durable coating that withstands washing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material system combining organo silane antimicrobials with specific binder polymers and crosslinking agents. This composite approach creates a integrated coating system where components work synergistically to provide both uniform application and long-term durability through crosslinked network structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If silver salt antimicrobials are used to poison infectious agents, then antimicrobial effect is achieved, but infectious agents may develop resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness against infectious agentsVSAvoidresistance development by pathogens

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using silver salts that poison cellular components, the invention inverts the mechanism by using spiked structures that physically pierce and disrupt cell membranes. This mechanical disruption approach eliminates the selective pressure that leads to resistance development while maintaining effective antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If silver salt antimicrobials are applied to fabrics, then antimicrobial protection is provided, but substantial contact time is required to be effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidcontact time required for activity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of antimicrobial mechanism from chemical poisoning (silver salt) to physical membrane disruption (spiked structures). This parameter change enables rapid action because the spiked structures immediately pierce cell membranes upon contact, eliminating the substantial contact time requirement while maintaining or enhancing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If traditional antimicrobial treatments are applied to fabrics, then infection prevention is achieved, but the treatment may be neutralized by substances such as chlorine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against infectious agentsVSAvoidsusceptibility to neutralization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potential harm of chlorine exposure into a benefit by using chlorine-stable organo silane compounds. Rather than being neutralized by chlorine, these compounds remain stable and maintain their spiked structures, while the crosslinked coating actually protects the fabric from chlorine degradation. The system transforms the challenging laundry environment into a condition that preserves rather than degrades antimicrobial activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

5Reliability

If silver salt antimicrobials are applied to fabrics, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but the chemicals tend to leach into surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidleaching into environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating the antimicrobial activity at the fabric surface through a crosslinked coating system. The organo silane spiked structures are fixed in place within the crosslinked network, creating a localized reservoir of antimicrobial activity at the fabric surface that prevents leaching while maintaining effectiveness against pathogens that contact the fabric

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 treated fabrics demonstrate >99% reduction in infectious agents after numerous washes and rapid killing of pathogens, including superbugs like MRSA, with sustained effectiveness against a wide range of bacteria and viruses.

Implementation Method 1

The antimicrobial is characterized as an organo silane quaternary amine capable of forming spiked structures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical membrane disruption:

Implementation Method 2

Formula and process for crosslinking antimicrobials to textiles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

The binder comprises guar gum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9168322B2Formula and process for crosslinking antimicrobials to textiles

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 FLORIDA BIOTECH LLC

AI summary

A process is described herein for applying antimicrobials to substrates such as fabrics. An antimicrobial-binder mixture is provided that includes an antimicrobial and a binder that includes guar gum in an aqueous solution, which is applied to the substrate. Once the substrate is cured, spikes formed by the antimicrobial are disposed on the fabric and function to rupture membranes of infectious agents.