Polycationic Polymer Films for Durable Antimicrobial Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antimicrobial technologies are limited in providing continuous, long-term protection against disease-causing pathogens on surfaces and skin, as they are not durable and often rely on toxic chemicals, failing to break the chain of infection effectively.

Innovation Solution

Development of polycationic polymer-based antimicrobial films that are safe, durable, and non-toxic, capable of inactivating bacteria, viruses, and fungi through a method involving polyethylenimine polymers, protonation, and pH adjustment, forming a residual coating that provides ongoing protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antimicrobial chemicals are used, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but toxicity and lack of durability occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using polyethylenimine polymers with controlled protonation states and specific counterions (formate, acetate, citrate) to achieve antimicrobial activity without toxicity. The pH adjustment to specific ranges (3-6) optimizes the balance between durability and safety, replacing toxic conventional chemicals with tunable polymer-based alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite antimicrobial systems combining polyethylenimine polymers with organic acid counterions (formate, acetate, citrate) to form polycationic polymer salts. This composite approach provides both durability through polymer film formation and non-toxicity through the use of benign counterions, overcoming the limitations of single-component conventional antimicrobials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If conventional antimicrobial solutions are applied, then initial antimicrobial effect is achieved, but continuous protection is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous protection durationVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuous protection by forming durable residual films of polycationic polymers that maintain antimicrobial activity over extended periods. The polymer films provide continuous killing action against pathogens on surfaces and skin, eliminating the need for repeated application of conventional antimicrobials that lose effectiveness quickly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses partial protonation of polyethylenimine polymers (controlling the ratio of protonated to unprotonated amines) to optimize both film durability and antimicrobial activity. This partial action approach allows the polymer to maintain sufficient positive charge for pathogen interaction while forming stable, durable films that provide long-term protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If polyethylenimine polymers are protonated to increase antimicrobial activity, then pathogen inactivation improves, but solution stability and safety may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidacidicity toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses organic acid counterions (formate, acetate, citrate) as intermediaries to mediate the protonation of polyethylenimine polymers. These counterions buffer the solution pH and provide the necessary countercharges to stabilize the polycationic polymer structure, enabling high antimicrobial efficacy through protonation while preventing excessive acidity and toxicity through the buffering action of the counterions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 polycationic polymer films achieve >log-4 inactivation of microorganisms, passing rigorous durability tests, and offer continuous killing action for days or weeks, reducing the transmission of infectious diseases without toxicity, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

protonating at least two percent of the non-protonated amines with at least one organic acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProtonation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

capable of inactivating bacteria, viruses, and fungi through a method involving polyethylenimine polymers, protonation, and pH adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 3

forming a residual coating that provides ongoing protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20240268382A1Method for generating an antiviral polycationic polymer

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 CHIATTELLO MARION L

AI summary

The invention comprises a method for generating a polycationic polymer, comprising the steps of: (1) providing polyethylenimine polymers comprising at least four non-protonated amines for every protonated amine; (2) protonating at least two percent of the non-protonated amines with at least one organic acid, the step of protonating further comprising the step of introducing organic conjugate base counterions to the protonated amines; and (3) decreasing pH of a solution containing the polyethylenimine polymers by at least 0.5 pH units, the solution comprising at least five percent water. Optionally, the step of protonating further comprises the step of yielding formate counterions to the polyethylenimine polymer.