Sodium Chloride Antimicrobial Contact Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual contact devices do not effectively reduce the transfer of microorganisms through contact, as they lack antimicrobial properties, particularly the use of sodium chloride, which is known to inhibit microbial growth and reproduction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sodium chloride into manual contact devices as an antimicrobial contact surface, either in the form of a salt block or as a deposit, to provide antimicrobial properties, thereby reducing the transfer of microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional manual contact devices are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but microorganisms can be transferred through contact with the object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the contact surface by incorporating sodium chloride at specific concentrations (e.g., 5-50 wt%), which fundamentally alters the surface's interaction with microorganisms, transforming it from a neutral surface to an antimicrobial surface without changing the basic device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite contact surface by combining conventional device materials with sodium chloride, achieving both the structural functionality of the original device and the antimicrobial property, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and harm reduction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sodium chloride is incorporated into the contact surface, then antimicrobial properties are provided, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal sodium chloride concentration ranges (5-50 wt%) that balance antimicrobial effectiveness with manufacturability, allowing the substance to be incorporated through standard mixing and molding processes without requiring complex additional steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accepts that the sodium chloride-containing contact surface may degrade or deplete over time, allowing for simpler manufacturing processes that prioritize cost-effectiveness and ease of production, with the understanding that the surface may need periodic replacement or reapplication
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sodium chloride is used as antimicrobial agent, then microorganism transfer is reduced, but the contact surface may experience degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the sodium chloride concentration parameter to fall within 5-50 wt%, which provides sufficient antimicrobial activity while maintaining adequate surface stability and durability for practical use, preventing excessive degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies sodium chloride specifically to the contact surface portion of the device where microorganism transfer occurs, rather than the entire device, thereby providing targeted antimicrobial protection while minimizing the overall degradation affecting device stability
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 use of sodium chloride in manual contact devices significantly reduces the transfer of microorganisms by inhibiting their growth and reproduction, providing a safer contact surface in high-traffic areas.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting microorganisms such as bacteria to a saline environment causes dehydration of the microorganism, which inhibits the microorganism from growing and which may eventually result in death of the microorganism
Data Source
AI summary
A manual contact device including an antimicrobial contact surface, wherein the antimicrobial contact surface includes sodium chloride. A method for reducing a transfer of microorganisms by manual contact with a manual contact device, including providing the manual contact device with an antimicrobial contact surface, wherein the antimicrobial contact surface includes sodium chloride.