Nitric Oxide Releasing Dental Floss Coating for Periodontitis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for periodontitis, such as scaling, root planning, and antibiotics, have limited reach to periodontal pockets and require clinical intervention, leading to significant economic costs and healthcare disparities.
Innovation Solution
Development of a nitric oxide (NO) releasing dental floss coating using a SNAP-PEG mixture, which is applied to dental floss to deliver NO directly to the periodontal pocket, eradicating pathogens and preventing biofilm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments (scaling, root planning, antibiotics) are used for periodontitis, then clinical intervention is provided, but reach to periodontal pockets is limited and healthcare costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dental floss is designed to autonomously deliver nitric oxide to periodontal pockets through the user's daily flossing action, eliminating the need for frequent clinical interventions. The coating on the floss continuously releases NO to eradicate pathogens and prevent biofilm formation, making the treatment self-administering and accessible to patients at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The nitric oxide releasing coating acts as an intermediary substance that transfers the therapeutic effect directly to the periodontal pocket. This coating, applied to dental floss, serves as a vehicle to deliver nitric oxide without requiring direct clinical contact or complex medical procedures, thereby improving accessibility and reducing healthcare costs.
2Reliability
If clinical intervention is required for periodontitis treatment, then effective treatment is achieved, but healthcare costs and disparities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a disposable, low-cost nitric oxide releasing coating applied to dental floss. This inexpensive, single-use coating can be easily manufactured and distributed to patients, providing effective treatment without the high costs associated with repeated clinical interventions, thereby reducing healthcare disparities and improving accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If nitric oxide releasing coating is applied to dental floss, then direct delivery to periodontal pocket is achieved, but pathogen eradication and biofilm prevention are enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The nitric oxide releasing coating utilizes changes in the chemical state of nitric oxide donors in response to the oral environment (pH, temperature, moisture) to release active nitric oxide. This parameter-driven release ensures reliable pathogen eradication and biofilm prevention while maintaining direct delivery capability through the flossing mechanism.
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 NO releasing dental floss coating effectively eradicates pathogens and prevents biofilm formation in the periodontal pocket, providing a cost-effective and accessible treatment option for periodontitis.
Implementation Method 1
compositions and articles for delivering nitric oxide to a subject. The compositions described herein can eradicate pathogens in a subject.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are compositions and articles for delivering nitric oxide to a subject. The compositions described herein can eradicate pathogens in a subject. In one aspect, the compositions described herein can be applied as a coating to a medical device. In other aspects, the compositions described herein can be used to produce a medical device that can release nitric oxide. The compositions and articles described herein can be used to treat or prevent bacterial infections and biofilm formation in a subject.