Electrostatically Charged Nasal Composition for Airborne Particle Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for protecting against airborne contaminants and microorganisms entering the nasal passages are inefficient, as they either fail to capture microscopic and sub-microscopic particles or are cumbersome and impractical for daily use, and current electrostatically charged compositions struggle to retain particles during activities like sneezing or blowing.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatically charged composition containing polymeric quaternary compounds is applied to create an electrostatic field near the nasal passages, trapping and neutralizing airborne microorganisms and particulates, preventing them from entering the body and rendering them harmless.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If dust masks or gas masks are used to filter airborne contaminants, then protection against irritants is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against airborne irritantsVSAvoidease of use in daily activities
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems (dust masks, gas masks) with an electrostatic field-based system. The electrostatically charged composition creates an invisible electrostatic field that passively attracts and captures airborne contaminants through electrical forces, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical filters and masks while maintaining protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electrostatic field as an intermediary mechanism between the user and airborne contaminants. This electrostatic field acts as a mediating force that intercepts and captures particles before they reach the nasal passages, providing protection without requiring direct physical barriers like masks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If simple dust masks are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and filter effectiveness deteriorate for microscopic and sub-microscopic particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of mask designVSAvoidfilter effectiveness for microscopic particles
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical filtration with electrostatic capture mechanisms. The electrostatic field can effectively capture microscopic and sub-microscopic particles through electrical attraction, overcoming the limitations of mechanical filters that struggle with such small particles while maintaining simplicity of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If electrostatically charged compositions are applied to create electrostatic field, then capture of airborne contaminants is improved, but reliability deteriorates during activities like sneezing or blowing that dislodge particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture of airborne particlesVSAvoidparticle retention during sneezing or blowing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the electrostatically charged composition to the skin surface in advance, creating a persistent electrostatic field that remains active during sneezing or blowing episodes. This preliminary application ensures that the electrostatic capture mechanism is already in place and continues to function reliably during dynamic activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The electrostatically charged composition is designed to remain on the skin surface and continuously generate the electrostatic field without requiring active maintenance or adjustment during use. The system serves itself by maintaining its protective function automatically during various activities including sneezing and blowing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively captures and inactivates harmful airborne contaminants, including viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of infection and improving protection against respiratory diseases without the need for ingested antiviral or antibacterial agents, while being suitable for use in daily activities.

Implementation Method 1

creates an electrostatic field such that oppositely charged airborne particulates (including microorganisms) in the vicinity of the surface are electrostatically trapped, held thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

capture and hold the contaminants including viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms or toxic particulates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentUS8163802B2Electrostatically charged multi-acting nasal application, product, and method
Publication Date: 2012.04.24 TRUTEK CORP

AI summary

A product to reduce and method of reducing the risk of inhalation of harmful substances by applying a formulation composition to a substrate or the skin in close proximity of one or more nostrils. This formulation, when applied creates an electrostatic field having a charge. The electrostatic field attracts airborne particulates of opposite charge to the substrate that are in close proximity to the substrate close to the skin and a biocidic agent renders microorganisms coming in contact the substrate or skin less harmful.