Photoactivatable fibers and fabric media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phototherapy formulations, typically in liquid or semi-liquid form, face issues with leaching of photoactivating agents and require multiple applications, limiting their effectiveness and convenience for medical and cosmetic applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of photoactivatable fibers and fabrics made from thermoplastic polymers incorporating photoactivatable agents that absorb and emit light between 400 nm and 800 nm, allowing for controlled and sustained light emission when illuminated, reducing agent leaching and enhancing application efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If photoactivatable formulations are used in liquid or semi-liquid form, then they can be easily applied and prepared, but they exhibit leaching of photoactivating agents and require multiple applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the physical state of the photoactivatable formulation from liquid/semi-liquid to solid fiber form. This parameter change eliminates leaching issues inherent in liquid formulations while maintaining ease of application through flexible fabric construction. The solid fiber matrix provides structural stability to retain photoactivating agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining thermoplastic polymer fibers with photoactivating agents. This composite structure integrates the photoactivating agents within the fiber matrix, preventing leaching while maintaining functional effectiveness. The composite approach allows the formulation to be both stable and easily applicable as a fabric.
2Ease of manufacture
If liquid and semi-liquid photoactivatable formulations are used, then they can be prepared simply, but they spread and dilute in contact with fluids requiring multiple applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state from liquid/semi-liquid to solid fiber form, fundamentally altering how the formulation behaves in contact with fluids. The solid fiber structure maintains its shape and composition stability, preventing the spreading and dilution problems that plague liquid formulations while remaining easy to manufacture through standard fiber processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a flexible fabric construction made from photoactivatable fibers. This thin film/fabric structure provides a stable matrix that prevents dilution and spreading of the photoactivating agents, while the flexibility maintains ease of application and manufacturing. The fabric form factor solves the composition stability issue without sacrificing ease of use.
3Reliability
If multiple applications of photoactivatable formulations are used, then the desired therapeutic effect can be achieved, but treatment time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transformation to solid fiber form with integrated photoactivating agents creates a stable, non-leaching formulation that maintains consistent therapeutic concentration. This single-application stable formulation eliminates the need for repeated applications, reducing treatment time while maintaining reliable therapeutic effects through sustained photoactivation.
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 photoactivatable fibers and fabrics provide a stable and efficient delivery of phototherapy, minimizing agent leaching and the need for repeated applications, thereby improving treatment efficacy and convenience in medical and cosmetic uses.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one photoactivatable agent absorbs and emits light between about 400 nm and about 800 nm
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
In various aspects, the present disclosure relates to fibers and fabric media comprising photoactivatable agents and to fibers and fabric media that are photoactivatable by photoactivation of the photoactivatable agents. In some instances, the fibers and the fabric media have photoactivatable agents present on their surface (e.g., the fiber/fabric is coated or sprayed with the photoactivatable agents or the fiber/fabric is dipped into a composition or a formulation comprising the photoactivatable agent). In other instances, the photoactivatable agents are incorporated into the materials making the fibers (e.g., the photoactivatable agents are mixed/compounded with the materials making the fibers). The photoactivatable fibers of the present disclosure comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer and at least photoactivatable agent that absorbs and emits light between about 400 nm and about 800 nm.