Dual-Action Sanitizing Lotion for Persistent Broad-Spectrum Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antimicrobial formulations often fail to provide broad-spectrum, immediate, and persistent protection against a variety of microorganisms, contributing to microbial drug resistance and causing skin irritation or drying effects.
Innovation Solution
A dual-action antimicrobial lotion formulation containing quaternary ammonium salts, terpenes, and polyaminopropyl biguanide, which kills at least 99% of microbes within 20 seconds and maintains at least 90% efficacy for 4 hours, providing a persistent, non-evaporative barrier without contributing to drug resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing antimicrobial formulations are used, then microbial reduction is achieved, but persistent protection and broad-spectrum efficacy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antimicrobial agents (quaternary ammonium salts, terpenes, polyaminopropyl biguanide, zinc compounds) into a single formulation that provides both immediate and persistent antimicrobial protection. This composite approach allows the product to maintain efficacy against broad-spectrum microbes for extended periods (at least 4 hours) while delivering rapid initial action, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and duration of action.
2Speed
If alcohol-based antimicrobial formulations are used, then rapid microbial killing is achieved, but skin irritation and drying effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces alcohol-based formulations with a water-based system containing quaternary ammonium salts, terpenes, and polyaminopropyl biguanide. This parameter change in the base formulation eliminates the skin-drying and irritating effects of alcohol while maintaining rapid microbial killing capability through the synergistic action of the alternative antimicrobial agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation includes ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and vitamin E that counteract potential skin irritation. These components convert the potential harm of antimicrobial action into a beneficial effect by moisturizing and protecting the skin, thereby resolving the contradiction between rapid killing speed and skin safety.
3Device complexity
If single-action antimicrobial formulations are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but immediate and persistent protection cannot be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antimicrobial action into two distinct phases: immediate action provided by quaternary ammonium salts and terpenes for rapid microbial killing, and persistent action provided by polyaminopropyl biguanide and zinc compounds for long-lasting protection. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one phase while working synergistically, achieving dual-action efficacy without excessive formulation complexity.
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 formulation effectively reduces a broad spectrum of microbes, including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses, with minimal skin irritation, maintaining efficacy for extended periods without reapplication, and is suitable for various environments to prevent microbial transmission and infection.
Implementation Method 1
quaternary ammonium salt in an amount ranging from 0.10% to 0.40% by weight of the formulation, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, or combinations thereof
Implementation Method 2
a terpene or derivative thereof in an amount ranging from 0.25% to 0.60% by weight of the formulation, wherein the terpene or derivative thereof comprises farnesol
Implementation Method 3
polyaminopropyl biguanide in an amount ranging from 0.05% to 0.20% by weight of the formulation
Implementation Method 4
wherein the formulation is configured to kill at least 90% of said plurality of microbes at least 4 hours post-application of said formulation; wherein persistence, in the disclosure, is achieved by a non-evaporative component of the formulation
Data Source
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AI summary
Several embodiments disclosed herein relate to formulations having antimicrobial and/or sanitizing effects, and uses of the same. In particular, the formulations and methods of using same provide, in several embodiments, an immediate and a persistent antimicrobial effect against a broad spectrum of microorganisms.