Functional fibrous material comprising microbial flakes, methods of preparing and uses thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for incorporating probiotics into textiles face challenges in maintaining the viability of bacteria during storage and ensuring effective release and application onto the skin.

Innovation Solution

A functional fibrous material is developed comprising non-woven fabric with hydrogel-based micro-flakes containing embedded microorganisms, formed by suspending microorganisms in a gel-forming solution, treating to create hydrogel, and subjecting it to high shear forces to form micro-flakes, which are then entangled with fibers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If probiotics are incorporated into textiles using existing methods (film matrices, capsules, sol-gel coating), then probiotic delivery to skin is achieved, but microorganism viability during storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroorganism viabilityVSAvoidstorage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines hydrogel micro-flakes containing probiotics with non-woven fabric to create a composite material system. The hydrogel provides a protective hydrated environment for the microorganisms, while the fabric serves as a structural carrier, enabling long-term storage with maintained viability and controlled release upon skin application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition of the hydrogel material in response to environmental changes (temperature, moisture) to control probiotic release. The hydrogel undergoes sol-gel transition or swelling/deswelling based on environmental conditions, thereby releasing or retaining microorganisms as needed during storage and application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If probiotics are encapsulated in hydrogel particles, then microorganism viability during storage is improved, but release mechanism becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroorganism viabilityVSAvoidrelease mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel micro-flakes are designed to automatically respond to environmental conditions (moisture, temperature, pH) and self-regulate probiotic release without requiring external control mechanisms. The hydrogel matrix spontaneously swells or degrades under physiological conditions, enabling autonomous release of microorganisms when applied to skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If probiotics are applied onto textile surface by sol-gel coating, then textile functionalization is achieved, but probiotic release control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetextile functionalizationVSAvoidprobiotic release control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The probiotics are pre-encapsulated in hydrogel micro-flakes with controlled release properties before being incorporated into the fabric. This preliminary encapsulation ensures that the microorganisms are protected during manufacturing and storage, and will release in a controlled manner only when the fabric contacts skin, rather than during the manufacturing process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 material maintains microorganism viability during storage and enables smart release upon contact with skin electrolytes, offering effective dermatological treatments for conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, and wound healing.

Implementation Method 1

hydrogel-based micro-flakes containing embedded microorganisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

subjecting it to high shear forces to form micro-flakes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

enables smart release upon contact with skin electrolytes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolyte interaction: Electrolyte

Data Source

PatentUS12460347B2Functional fibrous material comprising microbial flakes, methods of preparing and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 SHENKAR ENG DESIGN ART

AI summary

The present disclosure provides functional fibrous material comprising fibers associated with hydrogel containing micro-flakes. The present disclosure also provides a method of forming hydrogel micro-flakes having embedded therein at least one microorganism and a method of preparing functional fibrous material, both methods comprise a step of subjecting a mixture of hydrogel and microbial material to high shear forces to form micro-flakes comprising the hydrogel with at least one microorganism embedded therein. Further provided is a method of treatment of a target comprising contacting the target with the disclosed functional fibrous material as well as the micro-flakes disclosed herein.