Carbohydrate Polymer Carrier with Covalent Lectin Binding for Pathogen Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing viruses, bacteria, and microbial components from surfaces are inefficient due to resistance issues and the use of harmful chemicals, which can lead to incomplete eradication and promote antibiotic resistance, and existing devices fail to effectively retain these pathogens for analysis or disposal.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a carbohydrate-based polymer carrier material with a covalently attached binding agent, such as lectins or glycoproteins, that can strongly bind and retain biotoxins, viruses, and microbes, including resistant forms, for effective removal and potential analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strong chemical disinfectants or extreme heat are used to destroy microbes and viruses, then the eradication effectiveness is improved, but harmful substances remain and can be damaging to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful microbial targets from surfaces using a carrier material that binds to them, separating the pathogens from the surface without requiring destructive chemicals or heat that would leave harmful residues
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier material acts as an intermediary substance that binds to microbial targets through specific interactions (such as lectin-carbohydrate binding), enabling removal without direct contact with harmful chemicals or extreme conditions
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional adsorption methods are used to retain removed targets, then the removal process is simple, but the retention is insufficient and targets may be released when encountering another surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the carrier material with binding agents (such as lectins or other specific binding molecules) before use, so that when the carrier contacts microbial targets, strong specific binding occurs immediately, preventing subsequent release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining a carrier material (such as cellulose or other substrates) with specifically selected binding agents that have high affinity for microbial targets, creating a material that provides both ease of use and strong retention through the synergistic combination of the carrier and binding agent
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 solution enables stable and efficient removal and retention of pathogens from surfaces, reducing the risk of re-release and promoting safer, non-toxic decontamination while maintaining the integrity of pathogens for diagnostic purposes.
Implementation Method 1
The binding agent is attached by one or more covalent bonds to the carrier material
Implementation Method 2
the removed targets may be merely adsorbed onto or into the material or carrier
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are devices for viral, microbial and pathogen control and removal. A device is provided comprising a carrier material comprising a carbohydrate-based polymer, and a binding agent. The binding agent is attached by one or more covalent bonds to the carrier material, and the binding agent can bind to a target, the target being one or more of a biotoxin, a virus, a microbe, and a microbial component. Also provided are methods of using such devices for removing a biotoxin, a virus, a microbe and/or a microbial component, and processes for making a device, comprising providing a carrier material comprising a carbohydrate-based polymer, treating the carrier with an oxidising agent to produce acid and/or aldehyde groups; and contacting the treated carrier with a binding agent which comprises one or more of a lectin, a glycoprotein, and a glycoconjugate, such that the binding agent is linked to the carbohydrate-based polymer by one or more covalent bonds.