Specialized Anti-Microbial Coatings for High-Security and Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A novel anti-microbial coating system adapted for specialized applications, including high-security needs, disaster relief, and extreme weather conditions, offering enhanced antibacterial properties and improved durability.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent for anti-microbial coatings on prosthetic implants has limitations in terms of adaptability to specific, high-stakes environments. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing specialized coating systems for unique operational scenarios, ensuring the safety and efficacy of prosthetic implants in critical situations.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition chamber for grafting oxygen-based functional groups on the surface of the implant, followed by the application of a graphene oxide coating with enhanced antibacterial properties. The coating system is modified for high-security needs by incorporating hydrophobic materials to reduce water absorption, and for disaster relief and extreme weather conditions by optimizing the surface roughness of the coating to less than 10 nm and 5 nm, respectively.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The novelty of the inventive concept lies in the adaptation of the original anti-microbial coating technology to address the specific requirements of high-security, disaster relief, and extreme weather conditions. The inventive step is the combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and graphene oxide coating with tailored modifications for each niche application.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include the use of different plasma sources, varying the surface roughness of the coating, or incorporating additional antibacterial agents. Variations of the coating system could be developed for other specialized applications, such as medical implants for space exploration or high-altitude environments.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the areas of prosthetic implants, disaster relief, and high-security applications. The target market includes medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and disaster relief organizations, with potential for expansion into other industries requiring specialized anti-microbial coatings.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61L27/303 |
| A | A61 | A61L27/06 |
| A | A61 | A61L27/54 |
| A | A61 | A61L2300/404 |
| A | A61 | A61L2400/18 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device surface engineering, specifically anti-microbial coating technologies for prosthetic implants and medical devices, requiring expertise in plasma surface modification, materials science, and coating application techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with a PhD or equivalent experience in materials engineering, surface chemistry, and medical device manufacturing, familiar with plasma deposition techniques, surface functionalization, and antibacterial coating strategies
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core plasma surface modification technique, applying known surface engineering principles to specialized environments by modifying coating parameters and incorporating additional materials like graphene oxide and hydrophobic agents.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,695 |
|---|---|
| Title | Anti-microbial coating for objects such as prosthetic implants |
| Assignee(s) | National University of Ireland, Galway |