Materials incorporating antimicrobial polymers
Inventors
Whitten, David G. • Ista, Linnea K. • Corbitt, Thomas S. • Ogawa, Motokatsu • Schanze, Kirk S. • Lopez, Gabriel P. • Nagarajan, Ramanathan
Assignees
UNM Rainforest Innovations • United States Department of the Army
Publication Number
US-8598053-B2
Publication Date
2013-12-03
Expiration Date
2030-10-12
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes the manufacture and use of soft surfaces such as fabrics bearing surface-grafted antimicrobial polymers.
Core Innovation
The invention provides the manufacture and use of fibers, fabrics, and other soft surfaces bearing surface-grafted antimicrobial polymers, specifically poly(phenylene ethynylene)-based cationic conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) and oligomers (OPEs). These polymers exhibit both light-activated and dark biocidal activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and bacterial spores, either by generating singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species or by membrane perturbation.
The antimicrobial polymers are attached to fibrous materials via covalent or other linkages such as chemisorption and physisorption, enabling robust grafting of CPEs or OPEs onto a variety of natural and synthetic fibers including cotton, silk, wool, rayon, nylon, and blends. This surface grafting enhances the material's ability to capture and kill attached bacteria, reducing the risk of pathogen spread from textiles and soft surfaces.
The problem addressed is the persistence and transmission of pathogenic organisms and multiply resistant bacteria in healthcare and other environments via surfaces such as textiles. Existing antimicrobial textiles suffer from drawbacks such as low biocidal activity, toxic byproducts, or requirements for regeneration. There is a need for novel antimicrobial textiles that can both retain attached bacteria and effectively kill them, preventing dissemination of infections associated with hospital linens, gowns, curtains, and household surfaces.
Claims Coverage
The claims include one independent composition claim and one independent method claim, covering the antimicrobial fibrous material and its method of formation. The following inventive features are identified from these claims.
Fibrous material comprising poly(phenylene ethynylene)-based cationic conjugated polyelectrolytes bonded thereto
A fibrous material having poly(phenylene ethynylene)-based cationic conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) bonded to fibers containing iodophenyl groups, imparting antimicrobial properties to the material.
Preparation of fiber-forming polymer with iodophenyl groups via reaction with hydroxyl-reactive iodophenyl compounds
The fiber-forming polymer having iodophenyl groups is prepared by treating polymers bearing hydroxyl groups with hydroxyl-reactive iodophenyl compounds under suitable reaction conditions to enable subsequent attachment of CPEs.
These inventive features define a fibrous antimicrobial composition wherein CPEs are chemically bonded to fibers functionalized with iodophenyl groups, and a method for preparing such fibers by chemically modifying polymer fibers to introduce these reactive iodophenyl groups for antimicrobial polymer grafting.
Stated Advantages
The antimicrobial polymers strongly bind to bacteria on soft surfaces, enhancing biocidal activity compared to coatings on hard planar surfaces.
The conjugated polyelectrolytes exhibit both dark and light-activated killing of attached bacteria, enabling effective antimicrobial action under diverse conditions.
The treated fabrics show uniform color and fluorescence, indicating robust and durable grafting of the antimicrobial polymers.
Documented Applications
Medical and healthcare applications including bedsheets, hospital garments, curtains, bandages, surgical instruments, gloves, masks, wound dressings, implants, and other hospital textiles.
Building industry applications such as antimicrobial coatings on wall laminates, handrails, door handles, window blinds, paints, sealants, polishes, and plastics.
Commercial, industrial, and household applications like antimicrobial coatings for keyboards, gaming devices, toys, kitchens, food preparation equipment, and utensils.
Filtration systems including air filtration filters for buildings and vehicles, water and liquid filtration, coated beads for bacterial absorbents, separation membranes, and disposal bags for biological waste or contaminated materials.
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