Teat Seal Formulation Using Polymer Gel Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing teat sealants containing bismuth subnitrate can leave residual amounts in the teat canal, which can adhere to milking machine lines during milkings, posing a challenge for effective removal and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A teat seal formulation using a polymer in a gel base, specifically a lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer or its salt derivative, combined with viscosity enhancing agents like zinc oxide and thixotrophic agents like fumed silica, to create a bio-adhesive physical barrier that is easily removable and non-toxic, ensuring effective infection control without residual issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a teat sealant containing bismuth subnitrate is used to form a protective barrier, then infection prevention is improved, but residual sealant remains in the teat canal causing adherence to milking machine lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the sealant by replacing bismuth subnitrate with a polymer in gel base formulation containing specific excipients. This parameter change maintains the sealant's ability to form a protective barrier while fundamentally altering its removal properties to prevent residual adherence to milking machine lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of polymer base, gel forming agents, and specifically selected excipients that work together to create a sealant with dual functionality: effective barrier formation during the dry period and complete removal during milking. The composite nature of the formulation allows optimization of both protective and removable properties.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the seal formulation is made persistent to provide long-term protection, then duration of protective action is improved, but ease of removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic properties to the sealant formulation by incorporating thixotropic agents and viscosity modifiers that allow the material to exhibit different flow characteristics under different conditions. The sealant remains persistent and stable during the dry period but becomes more fluid and easier to remove when exposed to milk and mechanical agitation during milking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the sealant formulation by carefully selecting gel base components and viscosity enhancing agents. These parameter changes enable the sealant to maintain structural integrity for long-term protection while allowing for complete removal when specific conditions (milk contact, mechanical action) are present during milking.
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 provides a persistent, non-toxic, and biocompatible physical barrier that is easily removable, compatible with antibiotics, and radiopaque, effectively preventing intramammary infections while ensuring no persistent residues, thus addressing the challenge of residual teat sealant adherence.
Implementation Method 1
The lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer and derivative thereof useful in the invention dissolve slowly and contribute adhesive properties as they take up water
Implementation Method 2
The seal formulation further comprises a thixotrophic agent
Data Source
AI summary
A seal formulation for forming a physical barrier in the teat canal of a non-human animal for prophylactically controlling infection of a mammary gland by a mastitis-causing organism comprises a polymer in a gel base wherein the polymer is a lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer or a salt derivative thereof. The lower alkyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer salt derivative may comprise at least one cationic ion including monovalent, bivalent or trivalent cations and mixtures thereof.