Peroxide Coating for Rapid Microbe Killing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-microbial agents used in hospitals are not effective in quickly killing pathogens on surfaces and can lead to resistance, posing a risk of nosocomial infections, and there is a need for materials that can prevent contact transfer of pathogens without causing harm or residue.
Innovation Solution
A protective or cleaning article with a stabilized peroxide compound coating on its surface, which attracts and kills microbes through an oxidizing action, decomposing into benign components like oxygen and water, providing broad-spectrum anti-microbial protection without harmful residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anti-microbial agents are used to kill pathogens on surfaces, then some microbial control is achieved, but they are not effective enough and lead to microbial resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent, as the active anti-microbial component. The peroxide releases oxygen that oxidizes and kills microorganisms on contact, providing rapid and effective pathogen elimination without contributing to resistance development, as oxidation is a non-specific killing mechanism that microorganisms cannot develop resistance against
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical state of hydrogen peroxide by stabilizing it with carriers or encapsulation technologies, allowing controlled release of the peroxide. This parameter change enables the peroxide to remain stable during storage and application while releasing active oxygen when needed, achieving both stability and effectiveness
2Reliability
If anti-microbial agents are applied to surfaces to prevent infection, then pathogen control is improved, but harmful residues and toxicity remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the typically harmful or unstable nature of hydrogen peroxide into a benefit by using its decomposition products. Hydrogen peroxide naturally decomposes into water and oxygen, which are benign substances. The patent leverages this decomposition to provide anti-microbial action while leaving no harmful residues, as the byproducts are naturally occurring and non-toxic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable approach where hydrogen peroxide is applied, performs its anti-microbial function, and then naturally decomposes into harmless substances. The treatment is effective during its active period and then disappears without persistence or accumulation, eliminating long-term residue concerns
3Productivity
If peroxide treatment is applied to achieve rapid pathogen killing, then anti-microbial effectiveness is improved, but stability of the treatment on surfaces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary substances such as carriers, encapsulation materials, or stabilizing agents that mediate between the hydrogen peroxide and the environment. These intermediaries protect the peroxide from premature decomposition while allowing controlled release of active oxygen, thus maintaining both stability during storage and rapid killing action when applied
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary stabilization measures to the hydrogen peroxide before its anti-microbial action is needed. By pre-stabilizing the peroxide with appropriate carriers or encapsulation, the system ensures the peroxide remains stable during storage and application, then activates rapidly when it contacts microorganisms or moisture, achieving both stability and speed
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 peroxide coating achieves rapid and effective killing of 90% of bacteria within 15 minutes, with minimal toxicity to humans, and is stable on surfaces to prevent microbial growth and transfer, addressing the limitations of existing anti-microbial agents.
Implementation Method 1
A method for treating a substrate with an oxidizing compound, the method comprising providing a peroxide-containing compound and applying the peroxide-containing compound onto a surface of the substrate or incorporating it into the substrate
Implementation Method 2
which attracts and kills microbes through an oxidizing action
Data Source
AI summary
An oxidizing anti-microbial treatment and products containing such treatment are described. The treatment involves, in part, preparing a substrate to accept an attachment of charged moieties, and a number of stabilized peroxide compounds on at least part of a surface of said substrate. When microbes, such as bacteria, having a net charge opposite to that of the charged moieties come in close proximity to the treated substrate surface, peroxide molecules from the substrate are activated and released to kill the microbes.