Microbial Yoga Mat Surface for Hygiene Without Microbiome Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to diversify the repertoire of beneficial microorganisms in indoor environments such as gyms and yoga studios to improve physical and mental wellbeing while suppressing the growth of pathogenic organisms, as these environments often have reduced microbial diversity due to frequent cleaning and high human contact.
Innovation Solution
A mat with a microbial component comprising beneficial microorganisms or their precursors, such as live bacteria, fungi, and synthetic biology systems, dispersed on its surfaces or within microchannels, designed to manipulate the microbiome of the environment and user's skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent cleaning products are used in fitness facilities, then hygiene and cleanliness are improved, but microbial diversity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning environment by using enzymatic cleaners that selectively break down organic matter without broadly killing microorganisms. This maintains hygiene through targeted decomposition while preserving beneficial microbial diversity on surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces harsh chemical cleaning systems with a biological system using enzymes and beneficial microorganisms. This substitution allows cleaning to occur through biological degradation rather than broad-spectrum chemical disinfection, maintaining both hygiene and microbial diversity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning products are used to suppress pathogenic microorganisms, then pathogen growth is reduced, but beneficial microorganisms are also eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of pathogens into a beneficial outcome by using beneficial microorganisms that outcompete and suppress pathogens through resource competition and production of antimicrobial substances. The cleaning process itself becomes a means to establish protective microbial communities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beneficial microorganisms as intermediary agents that mediate between cleaning requirements and pathogen suppression. These microorganisms serve as living cleaners that simultaneously maintain hygiene and protect beneficial microbial populations through competitive exclusion of pathogens.
3Ease of operation
If indoor environments are maintained with reduced microbial diversity, then ease of maintenance is improved, but skin microbial diversity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-colonizing fitness facility surfaces with beneficial microorganisms before users arrive. This creates a protective microbial barrier that transfers to users during contact, enhancing skin microbial diversity without requiring complex ongoing maintenance of diverse microbial communities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the beneficial microorganisms to automatically maintain themselves and suppress pathogens through their own metabolic activities and competitive interactions. The microbial community sustains itself without requiring complex human intervention, maintaining both ease of maintenance and microbial diversity.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of a mat are disclosed. The mat comprises a body with a first surface and a second surface, and a microbial component that comprises pre-determined microorganisms which are dispersed in the body of the mat between the first and second surfaces, on one of the first surface or the second surface, or on both of the first surface and the second surface. The microbial component manipulates a microbiome of an environment adjacent or in contact to the mat. The microbial component can comprise at least one of live bacteria, bacteria endospores, fungi, viruses, protozoa, algae, slime moulds, archaca, micro-plants, a synthetic biology system or microbial precursor that stimulate growth of the desired microorganisms.