Silver-Palladium Coating Reduces Substance Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a challenge in minimizing the leakage of substances from surfaces, particularly metals and polymers, which can cause allergies and other issues, even if the amounts are very small, and there is a need to reduce blood clotting on man-made materials in contact with blood.

Innovation Solution

A surface coating comprising a layer of silver with metal particles such as palladium, gold, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, niobium, neodymium, and platinum is applied to objects, with the metal particles distributed in the range of 0.01-8 μg/cm², to reduce leakage and microbial growth while maintaining biocompatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If a surface coating with metal particles is applied to decrease leakage of substances, then the leakage of matter is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage of substancesVSAvoidcoating structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating structure consisting of a silver layer combined with metal particles (palladium, gold, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, niobium, neodymium, or platinum). This composite material approach creates a multi-functional coating that effectively reduces leakage of substances from the substrate while maintaining structural integrity. The combination of different metals provides synergistic effects for leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is applied in a controlled manner where metal particles are distributed at specific concentrations (0.01-8 μg/cm²) on the silver layer. This localized application strategy ensures that the anti-leakage properties are concentrated where most needed, optimizing performance while minimizing unnecessary material usage and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a surface coating is applied to reduce leakage, then the leakage decreases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage of substancesVSAvoidmetal particles distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the coating, including metal particle concentration (0.01-8 μg/cm²) and silver layer thickness (2-2000 Å). By defining these parameter ranges, the invention provides manufacturing flexibility while ensuring effective leakage reduction. The broad range allows for adaptation to different manufacturing capabilities without compromising the fundamental anti-leakage function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If metal particles are added to the coating, then the antimicrobial properties improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial propertiesVSAvoidcoating composition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating design integrates multiple functions into a single layer: the silver layer provides both structural integrity and antimicrobial properties, while the added metal particles (particularly silver, palladium, and other noble metals) enhance antimicrobial effectiveness. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate antimicrobial treatments, reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 coating effectively decreases the leakage of substances and microbial growth, while also reducing blood clotting, thereby enhancing the biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties of the surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial effect:

Data Source

PatentUS11732139B2Use of a substrate coating for decreasing leakage of matter

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 BACTIGUARD AB

AI summary

There is provided a method for decreasing leakage of matter from an object to a surrounding, said object being coated with a coating at least partially applied on the object, said coating comprising an at least partially covering layer comprising silver, said object optionally comprising area(s) without said layer, said coating comprising metal particles applied on the layer and optionally on areas without said layer, said metal particles comprising palladium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, niobium, neodymium and platinum and wherein the amount of the metal particles is in the interval 0.01-8 μg/cm2. Advantages include that leakage of matter such as latex allergens of metal ions can be reduced while the coating is both biocompatible and antimicrobial. Further, the blood clotting can be reduced.