Retractable Antimicrobial Stem for Nasal Pathogen Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective solutions for reducing the acquisition, development, and transmission of infections on skin and mucous membranes, particularly in healthcare and public settings, where pathogens can easily spread through touch and airborne transmission.
Innovation Solution
An antimicrobial sanitizer system featuring a base handle and retractable stem with antimicrobial material, designed for application on skin and mucous membranes, including the nasal cavity, to deposit a residue that kills pathogens upon contact and continues to inhibit their growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional sanitization methods are used, then pathogens can be removed temporarily, but the protection is short-lived and pathogens can quickly re-establish
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies antimicrobial material in advance to skin and mucous membranes, creating a protective residue that persists over time. The material is deposited beforehand to prevent pathogen acquisition rather than treating after exposure, extending the duration of protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The antimicrobial material is applied as a residue that continues to exert antimicrobial action over an extended period. The system ensures continuous protection by maintaining the presence of active material on the skin and mucous membranes, preventing interruptions in pathogen defense.
2Reliability
If antimicrobial material is applied frequently to maintain protection, then pathogen prevention is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves continuous pathogen prevention through a single application that maintains protective residue over an extended period. The antimicrobial material remains active on skin and mucous membranes, eliminating the need for frequent reapplication and reducing time loss.
3Device complexity
If the stem is made non-retractable, then the device structure is simpler, but the antimicrobial material is exposed to damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is designed to be retractable, allowing it to move between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic feature protects the antimicrobial material on the distal end by enabling retraction into the base handle when not in use, while still allowing extension for application to skin and mucous membranes.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem can be retracted into the base handle, nesting the antimicrobial component within the protective housing. This nesting arrangement protects the distal end with antimicrobial material from environmental damage and contamination when not actively being used.
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 system effectively reduces the transmission of infections by providing a temporary antimicrobial shield on skin and mucous membranes, inhibiting the spread of pathogens and reducing the risk of acquiring infectious illnesses, particularly in high-risk environments like hospitals and public transport.
Implementation Method 1
the system can attack pathogens already present; if the system is rubbed against the skin or mucous membranes, the system deposits a residue of antimicrobial material after contact (for the purpose of killing pathogens)
Data Source
AI summary
An antimicrobial sanitizer system for application of an antimicrobial material on skin or mucous membranes featuring a base handle (110) and a stem extending upwardly from the stem end of the base handle. The stem optionally is extendable from and retractable into an inner cavity in the base handle. The distal end of the stem is rounded and is adapted for insertion into the nasal cavity. At least a portion of the outer surface of the distal end of the stem features an antimicrobial material such as but not limited to copper.