Saline Impregnated Wipe for Gentle Mucus Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for removing mucus from children's noses are often uncomfortable and irritating, especially when using dry tissues or nasal sprays, and can be challenging due to the difficulty in holding still during cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A biologically compatible saline impregnated wipe with an absorbent matrix that includes an aqueous solution of inorganic salt, emollient, preservative, and surfactant, designed to loosen and dissolve mucus for easy removal, while being gentle on the skin and suitable for use on children.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a dry tissue is used to clean mucus, then the wiping action is simple and quick, but it becomes difficult to fully remove mucus especially dried-on mucus and quickly becomes irritating to the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the cleaning medium from dry to wet by impregnating the matrix with aqueous cleaning solution. This parameter change allows the wipe to effectively remove mucus including dried-on mucus without the skin irritation caused by dry tissues, as the moisture prevents friction-induced irritation while maintaining wiping effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by impregnating an absorbent matrix with a cleaning solution containing multiple components (inorganic salt, emollient, preservative, surfactant). This composite approach combines the mechanical wiping capability of the matrix with the chemical cleaning and skin-protecting properties of the solution, achieving both effective mucus removal and reduced skin irritation
2Reliability
If nasal sprays or mucus treatment products are applied, then saline can work on the mucus, but it is generally uncomfortable especially for children to drop or spray saline into the nasal cavity and requires waiting time and repeated wiping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mucus-loosening function of saline with the wiping function in a single product. The absorbent matrix impregnated with cleaning solution combines the therapeutic benefit of saline exposure with the mechanical removal action, eliminating the need for separate spraying and waiting steps while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution is pre-applied to the absorbent matrix during manufacturing, so the beneficial ingredients are already in position before use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to spray or apply saline separately and wait for it to work, as the solution is immediately available upon contact with mucus
3Productivity
If traditional cleaning methods are used with children, then the cleaning process can be completed, but children may not hold still during cleaning making it challenging and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cleaning mechanism from mechanical friction (dry wiping) to a combination of chemical dissolution and gentle absorption. The cleaning solution's surfactants and inorganic salts chemically break down mucus, reducing the mechanical effort and time needed to clean restless children, while the absorbent matrix quickly captures the dissolved mucus
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 effectively loosens and removes mucus, reducing skin irritation and discomfort, making it easier to clean children's noses and faces quickly and gently, while maintaining skin health.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent matrix that supports an aqueous cleaning solution
Implementation Method 2
The matrix has an absorbent capacity of approximately 1 to 5 grams of cleaning solution per 1 gram of matrix
Implementation Method 3
The solution includes a combination of an inorganic salt, an emollient, a preservative, and a surfactant... effectively loosens and removes mucus
Implementation Method 4
The solution includes a combination of an inorganic salt, an emollient, a preservative, and a surfactant
Implementation Method 5
The emollient of the cleaning item may include glycerin, or another appropriate skin-treatment ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a wet wipe or sheet that is suitable for contacting the skin and removing mucus from the skin. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wet wipe having an aqueous saline component suitable for dissolving and removing mucus in combination with the fabric matrix of the wet wipe. Typically, the fabric matrix of the wet wipe has a capacity of about 125 grams of solution per square meter, and it is impregnated with the aqueous saline solution to a level at or below approximately 80% of the absorbent capacity of the matrix.