Method of attaching an antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte to the surface of a substrate
Inventors
Toreki, William • Liesenfeld, Bernd • Moore, David • Leander, Susan • Batich, Christopher
Assignees
Quick Med Technologies Inc • University of Florida Research Foundation Inc
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Publication Number
US-7790217-B2
Publication Date
2010-09-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of bonding an antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte to the surface of a substrate is described, wherein the antimicrobial thus attached to the substrate provides the substrate with antimicrobial properties, and at least a portion of the bonded antimicrobial is substantially non-leachable during normal conditions of use and storage. A method of manufacturing an antimicrobial material is described which comprises exposure of the substrate to a solution of antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte, followed by drying the exposed substrate thoroughly to impart a non-leaching property to at least a portion of the antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolytes.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of imparting non-leachable antimicrobial properties to a substrate comprised in whole or in part of a cellulosic material by applying an aqueous solution of an antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte, thoroughly drying the treated substrate, and effecting non-leachable bonding between at least a portion of the antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte and the substrate. The antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte is not self-crosslinking and has an average degree of polymerization of at least 3 and an excess cationic charge density meeting a stated threshold.
The method further includes rinsing, washing, or extracting to remove any leachable unbonded portion of the antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte, followed by performing an assay to verify that non-leachable antimicrobial properties have been imparted to the substrate. In an alternative form, wetting the substrate with the aqueous antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte solution and then drying causes at least a portion of the polyelectrolyte to become attached in a non-leachable manner, with rinsing, washing, or extracting occurring immediately after drying.
The substrate includes cellulosic materials, including cotton, and the claims also enumerate additional substrate materials. The treatment is described with solution concentration of at least 0.01 weight percent, and the resulting product provides non-leaching antimicrobial activity.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims identified are clm-00001, clm-00013, and clm-00021. Across these independent claims, the main inventive features focus on non-leachable antimicrobial attachment using an aqueous non-self-crosslinking antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte, followed by thorough or immediate post-drying leachability removal and assay verification, with specified polymer and charge characteristics and defined cellulosic/cotton and other enumerated substrates.
Non-leachable antimicrobial bonding with cellulosic substrate
A method of imparting non-leachable antimicrobial properties to a substrate comprised in whole or in part of a cellulosic material, treating the substrate by applying an aqueous solution of an antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte, thoroughly drying the treated substrate, rinsing, washing, or extracting to remove any leachable unbonded portion, and performing an assay to verify non-leachable antimicrobial properties; whereby non-leachable bonding is effected between at least a portion of the antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte and the substrate.
Non-leachable antimicrobial bonding on cotton absorbent materials
A method of imparting non-leachable antimicrobial properties to an absorbent material comprised in whole or in part of cotton, applying an aqueous solution comprising polyDADMAC homopolymer or poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride) homopolymer, thoroughly drying the treated absorbent substrate, rinsing to remove any leachable unbonded portion, and performing an assay to verify that non-leachable antimicrobial properties have been imparted; whereby non-leachable bonding is effected between at least a portion of the polymer and the cotton substrate.
Attaching a non-self-crosslinking antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte by wetting and drying with immediate leachability removal
A method of attaching an antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte to a substrate for use in textiles, medical applications, filters, absorbent materials, or packaging material, wherein the antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte is not self-crosslinking and has an average degree of polymerization of at least 3, wetting the substrate with an aqueous solution followed by drying to cause at least a portion of the polyelectrolyte to become attached in a non-leachable manner, and rinsing, washing, or extracting to remove any leachable unbonded portion immediately after drying, with assay verification of non-leachable antimicrobial properties.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on imparting or attaching non-leachable antimicrobial properties by aqueous application of a non-self-crosslinking antimicrobial cationic polyelectrolyte with specified average degree of polymerization and excess cationic charge density, followed by drying-driven attachment to a cellulosic or cotton substrate, immediate or subsequent removal of leachable unbonded polymer via rinsing, washing, or extraction, and assay-based verification of non-leachable antimicrobial properties.
Stated Advantages
Non-leaching antimicrobial activity.
Non-leachable antimicrobial properties are imparted to the substrate.
Documented Applications
Textiles.
Medical applications.
Filters.
Absorbent materials.
Packaging material.
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