Multifunctional Polymers with Pseudo-Cationic Moieties for Antimicrobial Activity

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for multifunctional polymers that can alter or improve the physicochemical properties of antimicrobial compounds, which are limited by regulatory and environmental concerns, and traditional antimicrobial agents are nonvolatile but lack selectivity and long-term efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Polymers are synthesized from a pseudo-cationic moiety, a hydrophobic moiety, and a third repeat unit, with a weight-average molecular weight less than 10,000 Da, using radical or condensation polymerization, to achieve broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and varied physical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional antimicrobial compounds are used, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but regulatory and environmental concerns limit their selection and usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial activityVSAvoidregulatory and environmental concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of antimicrobial agents by using polymers with controlled molecular weights (less than 10,000 Da) and specific functional group compositions (pseudo-cationic, hydrophobic, and third repeat units). This parameter change allows the polymers to exhibit antimicrobial activity while having different environmental properties compared to traditional small-molecule antimicrobials, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite polymer structures combining three different types of repeat units: pseudo-cationic moieties (for antimicrobial activity), hydrophobic moieties (for membrane interaction), and third repeat units (for solubility and processability). This composite approach enables the material to achieve reliable antimicrobial activity while the polymer structure itself provides improved environmental profiles compared to traditional antimicrobial compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If nonvolatile antimicrobial compounds are used, then long-term presence is achieved, but selectivity and long-term efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term presenceVSAvoidselectivity and long-term efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating polymers with specific local functional regions: pseudo-cationic repeat units that selectively interact with microbial cell membranes, hydrophobic regions that facilitate membrane penetration, and third repeat units that provide solubility. This localized functional distribution within the polymer chain enables selective antimicrobial action while maintaining long-term presence, resolving the contradiction between duration and selectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the polymer into distinct functional repeat units rather than using uniform structures. The segmentation into pseudo-cationic, hydrophobic, and third repeat units allows each segment to perform its specific function: selective microbial targeting, membrane interaction, and solubility maintenance. This segmentation enables the polymer to achieve both long-term presence and high selectivity/efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 resulting polymers exhibit effective antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microbes, including S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, and can be formulated into various compositions, offering improved selectivity and long-term efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

the polymers exhibit antimicrobial activity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity:

Data Source

PatentUS10087273B2Multifunctional polymers

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 ISP INVESTMENTS LLC

AI summary

Described herein are multifunctional polymers comprising a first repeating unit having at least one pseudo-cationic moiety, a second repeating unit having at least a hydrophobic moiety, and a third repeating unit, where the weight-average molecular weight is less than about 10,000 Da. In one embodiment the polymers exhibit antimicrobial activity. Also provided are compositions formulated with the multifunctional polymers, and a method of providing antimicrobial activity.