Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2003-04-22
Webman, Edward J. (Department: 1617)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
C523S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06551608
ABSTRACT:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to porous plastic materials which comprise antiviral and/or antimicrobial agents, and to methods of making the same.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Porous materials can be used as vents or filters in innumerable medical, research, consumer and industrial applications as. Unfortunately, the growth or accumulation of potentially harmful viruses or microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungi and protozoa) can occur in most porous materials. In many applications, therefore, vents and filters must be changed frequently in order to prevent the accumulation and/or growth of viruses or microbes.
Antiviral and antimicrobial agents, which prevent the growth or accumulation of viruses or microbes, have for some time been incorporated into solid and fibrous materials. For example: U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,435 discloses the incorporation of an antimicrobial additive into the binding agent of a heavy-duty, kraft-type paper; U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,381 discloses the incorporation of a salt of a monocarboxylate antimicrobial agent into an external binder system which is applied to fabrics and papers; U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,467 discloses operating room garments having a layer of baceriostatically-treated polyester/cotton fabric; U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,139 discloses a composition comprising a cellulosic textile material that is chemically bonded to a fungicidally active phenolic compound; U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,907 discloses a surgical drape comprised of a synthetic polymeric film or fabric into which an antimicrobial agent has been incorporated; U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,102 discloses a dry matrix for use in cleaning which comprises an antimicrobial compound; U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,464 discloses a biocidal polymeric coating for heat exchanger coils; U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,883 discloses fibers made from a melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition comprising an antimicrobial siloxane compound; U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,147 discloses a non-woven web made from a melt-extrudable thermoplastic composition which comprises an antimicrobial siloxane compound; U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,042 discloses a conduit coating which comprises a bacteriostatic, bacteriocidal, fungicidal, fungistatic or mildew-suppressing material; U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,554 discloses a fiber reinforced plastic comprising an antimicrobial composition; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,538 discloses a method of coating antiviral and antibacterial materials on a substrate material.
Although solid and fibrous materials comprising antiviral or antimicrobial agents can be used in some applications, they are of little use in applications that require a porous material that can be molded into a particular shape, has a narrow distribution of pore sizes, or has high mechanical strength. Consequently, there exists a need for porous, non-fibrous materials that resist the accumulation or growth of viruses and/or microbes.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to novel porous materials which possess antiviral and/or antimicrobial properties. Particular materials of the invention comprise a porous thermoplastic substrate and an antiviral or antimicrobial agent. The invention is further directed to methods of using the novel porous materials disclosed herein, as well as to vents and filters made of, or comprising, the novel porous materials disclosed herein.
Suitable thermoplastics that can be used to provide the porous thermoplastic substrate include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, nylons, polycarbonates, poly(ether sulfones), and mixtures thereof. A preferred thermoplastic is a polyolefin. Examples of suitable polyolefins include, but are not limited to: ethylene vinyl acetate; ethylene methyl acrylate; polyethylenes; polypropylenes; ethylene-propylene rubbers; ethylene-propylenediene rubbers; poly(1-butene); polystyrene; poly(2-butene); poly(1-pentene); poly(2-pentene); poly(3-methyl-1-pentene); poly(4-methyl-1-pentene); 1,2-poly-1,3-butadiene; 1,4-poly-1,3-butadiene; polyisoprene; polychloroprene; poly(vinyl acetate); poly(vinylidene chloride); and mixtures and derivatives thereof. A preferred polyolefin is polyethylene. Examples of suitable polyethylenes include, but are not limited to, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and derivatives thereof.
The porous thermoplastic materials of the invention can further comprise materials such as, but not limited to, lubricants, colorants, fillers, and mixtures thereof. Suitable fillers include, but are not limited to: carbon black, cellulose fiber powder, siliceous fillers, polyethylene fibers and filaments, and mixtures thereof.
Suitable antiviral or antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to: phenolic and chlorinated phenolic compounds; resorcinol and its derivatives; bisphenolic compounds; benzoic esters; halogenated carbanilides; polymeric antimicrobial agents; thazolines; trichloromethylthioimides; natural antimicrobial agents; metal salts; broad-spectrum antibiotics, and mixtures thereof. Preferred antiviral or antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to: 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether; 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea; poly(iminoimidocarbonyl iminoimidocarbonyl iminohexamethylene hydrochloride); silver ions; and salts and mixtures thereof.
A first embodiment of the invention encompasses a porous thermoplastic material which comprises a sintered porous thermoplastic substrate having a surface at least part of which is coated with an antiviral or antimicrobial agent.
Although the thermoplastic substrate can be made of any thermoplastic, including those disclosed herein, it is preferably made of polyethylene, more preferably ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Preferred antiviral or antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to, 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, poly(iminoimidocarbonyl iminoimidocarbonyl iminohexamethylene hydrochloride), silver ions, and salts and mixtures thereof.
A specific porous material of the invention thus comprises: a sintered porous polyethylene substrate; an antiviral or antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, poly(iminoimidocarbonyl iminoimidocarbonyl iminohexamethylene hydrochloride), silver ions, and salts and mixtures thereof; and an optional filler, wherein the sintered porous polyethylene substrate has a surface at least part of which is coated with the antiviral or antimicrobial agent.
Another specific porous material of the invention comprises a sintered porous polyethylene core and a coating layer disposed over at least part of the porous polyethylene core. Preferably, the coating layer further comprises a thermoplastic or hydrogel material. Suitable thermoplastic or hydrogel materials include, but are not limited to, polyurethanes such as hydrophilic polyurethane.
A second embodiment of the invention encompasses a porous material which comprises a sintered porous thermoplastic substrate and an antiviral or antimicrobial agent disposed throughout at least part of the substrate.
Although the thermoplastic substrate can be made of any thermoplastic, including those disclosed herein, it is it is preferably polyethylene. Preferred antiviral or antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to, 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, poly(iminoimidocarbonyl iminoimidocarbonyl iminohexamethylene hydrochloride), silver ions, and salts and mixtures thereof.
A specific porous material of the invention thus comprises a sintered porous polyethylene substrate and an antiviral or antimicrobial agent disposed within at least part of the sintered porous polyethylene substrate, wherein the antiviral or antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of: 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ure
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Porex Technologies Corporation
Webman Edward J.
LandOfFree
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