Printable Antimicrobial Medium Using Digital Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective antimicrobial coatings on high-touch surfaces to prevent disease transmission, particularly in healthcare and public environments, where traditional fabrication methods are time-consuming and costly, and current solutions do not adequately address the spread of bacteria and viruses like COVID-19, MRSA, and Noroviruses.
Innovation Solution
A printable antimicrobial medium comprising a substrate layer with an adhesive, a liner layer, and an antimicrobial dry marking material, including copper oxide or silver nanoparticles, which can be applied using digital printing to provide customizable, antimicrobial protection on high-touch surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fabrication methods are used to create antimicrobial surfaces, then the surfaces can be made with antimicrobial properties, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital printing to create antimicrobial surfaces by depositing antimicrobial agents onto substrates according to digital designs. This digital copying approach replaces traditional fabrication methods, enabling rapid production of customized antimicrobial surfaces without time-consuming manual or industrial fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs digital printing technology to control and vary parameters such as antimicrobial agent concentration, deposition location, and pattern design. This allows for flexible parameter adjustment during the printing process, significantly reducing production time compared to traditional fabrication methods while maintaining effective antimicrobial properties.
2Reliability
If traditional fabrication methods are used to create antimicrobial surfaces, then the surfaces can be made with antimicrobial properties, but the process is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The digital printing process creates antimicrobial surfaces by copying digital designs directly onto substrates, eliminating the need for expensive traditional fabrication equipment and manual labor. This copying approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining effective antimicrobial protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes cost-effective printing materials and disposable printing heads that can be easily replaced, reducing overall manufacturing costs. The ability to print antimicrobial surfaces on-demand using inexpensive substrates and materials makes the process economically viable compared to traditional fabrication methods.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial coatings are applied to high-touch surfaces, then disease transmission can be prevented, but the coatings must remain durable and effective over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite materials by combining antimicrobial agents with binding agents and carriers to form durable coatings. This composite approach ensures that the antimicrobial properties remain effective and long-lasting on high-touch surfaces, preventing disease transmission while maintaining coating durability over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes coating durability by controlling parameters such as antimicrobial agent particle size, concentration, and deposition thickness during the printing process. These parameter adjustments ensure that the coating remains effective and durable, maintaining protective properties against disease transmission over extended periods.
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 provides rapid, cost-effective, and durable antimicrobial protection on high-touch surfaces, inhibiting microbial growth and colonization, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission across various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first antimicrobial dry marking material deposited on at least a portion of the second area of the substrate layer... The first antimicrobial dry marking material may include copper oxide. The first antimicrobial dry marking material may include copper nanoparticles. The first antimicrobial dry marking material may include silver nanoparticles, silver salts, or mixtures thereof.
Data Source
AI summary
A printable antimicrobial medium is disclosed, including a substrate layer having a first surface which may include a first area, a second surface opposite the first surface which may include a second area. The printable antimicrobial medium also includes a first adhesive deposited on the first area, a liner layer releasably secured to the substrate layer by the first adhesive, and a first antimicrobial dry marking material deposited on at least a portion of the second area of the substrate layer. The printable antimicrobial medium may include a first score line arranged to separate one or more layers of the printable antimicrobial medium into a first portion and a second portion, and an antimicrobial dry marking material may include copper oxide deposited on at least a portion of the second area of the substrate layer.