JP-2026076147-A - Apparatus and method for providing a single-layer pathogen-killing barrier between a first region and a second region.

Abstract

[Problem] A technology is provided to provide a barrier treated with a pathogen-killing component, which is placed between a first region and a second region and prevents the transmission of pathogens (e.g., virus particles) between the first and second regions by killing or inactivating them. [Solution] The barrier comprises a single layer treated with a pathogenic component. The single layer comprises a first surface oriented toward a first region and an outer surface coated with the pathogenic component so that pathogens within the first region can penetrate the outer surface of the first surface. The single layer also comprises a second surface oriented toward a second region and an outer surface coated with the pathogenic component so that pathogens within the second region can penetrate the outer surface of the second surface. The pathogenic component coated on the outer surfaces of the first and second surfaces inactivates pathogens that penetrate the outer surfaces of the first and second surfaces, respectively. [Selection Diagram] Figure 1

Inventors

• パンチャル，スニル
• ソレル，ペドロ
• ヘンダーソン，アーロ
• パミック，ダミール

Assignees

• エックス セル エルエルシー

Dates

Publication Date

20260511

Application Date

20251128

Priority Date

20200521

Claims (20)

1. A barrier positioned between a first region and a second region, configured to prevent pathogens from passing through between the first region and the second region, The barrier comprises a single layer treated with a pathogenic component, The single layer includes a first surface oriented toward the first region and a second surface oriented toward the second region. The first surface is an outer surface coated with the pathogenic component, and includes an outer surface coated such that pathogens within the first region penetrate the outer surface. The second surface is an outer surface coated with the pathogenic component, and includes an outer surface coated such that pathogens within the second region penetrate the outer surface. The pathogenic component coated on the outer surfaces of the first and second surfaces is configured to inactivate pathogens that penetrate the outer surfaces of the first and second surfaces, respectively. A barrier characterized by the following features.
2. The barrier comprises only a single layer and does not include any additional layer placed between the first region and the second region. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
3. The pathogenic component comprises one or more salts, acids, and esters. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
4. The pathogenic component is a virucidal component comprising a salt of a certain degree of crystallinity over the thickness of a single layer from the outer surface of the first surface to the outer surface of the second surface. The barrier according to claim 3, characterized in that it is as follows.
5. The single layer has permeability such that the difference in air pressure between the first surface and the second surface, based on the airflow passing through the single layer at a constant flow rate, is less than approximately 0.2 mmH₂O / cm² . The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
6. The aforementioned difference in air pressure is less than approximately 0.1 mmH₂O / cm² . The barrier according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a barrier.
7. The barrier has a virus filtration efficiency of at least 95% between the first region and the second region. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
8. The barrier is configured to be worn on the user's face such that the first region represents the user's external environment and the second region represents the user's face. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
9. The outer surface of the second surface is further provided with an adhesive, The second surface is configured to be attached directly to the user's face using the adhesive. The barrier according to claim 8, characterized in that it is as follows.
10. The adhesive is provided along the outer circumference of the outer surface of the second surface to ensure a sealed state between the barrier and the user when the second surface is directly attached to the user's face. The barrier according to claim 9, characterized in that it is a barrier.
11. A face cover worn by the user, The first barrier according to claim 8, The system comprises a secondary layer, which is not treated with a pathogenic component, positioned between the second surface of the single layer and the user's face. The first barrier is configured to inactivate pathogens entering from the user's external environment and to prevent contamination of the secondary layer. A face cover characterized by the following features.
12. The second barrier according to claim 8 is further provided, which is positioned between the secondary layer and the user's face. The second barrier is configured to inactivate pathogens entering through the user's face and prevent contamination of the secondary layer. The face cover according to claim 11, characterized by its features.
13. The first barrier and the secondary barrier are integrated barriers including a single integrated layer configured to enclose the secondary layer. The integrated barrier inactivates pathogens entering from the first or second region and prevents contamination of the secondary layer. The face cover according to claim 12, characterized by its features.
14. The first barrier and the second barrier are separate barriers having separate single layers. The face cover according to claim 12, characterized by its features.
15. The barrier is an air filter configured to be placed in the piping of an air conditioning system. The first region is a conduit configured to direct the airflow, The second region is the area that receives the airflow after it has passed through the air filter. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
16. The barrier is an air filter configured to be placed in the conduit of a ventilator used on a patient, The first region is a conduit configured to direct the airflow exhaled by the patient, The second area is the external environment of the ventilator in the medical facility. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
17. The barrier is a garment designed to be worn by healthcare workers. The first domain is the external environment of the healthcare worker in the medical facility, and the second domain is the body of the healthcare worker. The barrier according to claim 1, characterized in that it is as described above.
18. A method for forming the barrier according to claim 1, a) Wetting the material with a solution containing a pathogenic component at a certain concentration for a first time. b) After the first time has elapsed, dry the material for a second time. c) After the second time has elapsed, measure the air permeability of the dried material. d) Comparing the measured air permeability value with the air permeability threshold, e) Based on the measured air permeability value being greater than the threshold, the single layer according to claim 1 is formed using the dried material from step b), A method characterized by the following:
19. If the measured air permeability value in step c) is greater than the threshold, the method further comprises increasing the concentration of the pathogenic component and repeating steps a) to d) with the increased concentration value. The dried material in step e) is based on the highest value among the concentrations of the pathogenic component whose measured air permeability value is greater than the threshold. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that it is a feature of the present invention.
20. The wetting step comprises immersing the material in a tank containing the solution for the first time such that the material is completely submerged. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that it is a feature of the present invention.

Description

This application asserts the interests of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/101,894, filed on 21 May 2021 under Section 119(e) of the U.S. Patent Act, and its disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Generally, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria are known to be easily transmitted from person to person through direct and indirect contact. An example of direct transmission is when pathogens are aerosolized during exhalation, coughing, or sneezing, and then transmitted to another individual. Indirect transmission occurs when pathogens are present on intervening surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, tabletops, or on an individual's hands. A technology is provided for providing a barrier treated with a pathogen-killing component, which is positioned between a first and a second region and prevents the transmission of pathogens (e.g., viral particles) between the first and second regions by killing or inactivating them. The inventors recognized that various conventional masks can be used to attempt to prevent the transmission of pathogens between two areas. In one embodiment, a conventional mask can be used that provides an inner layer treated with a pathogenic component (e.g., a virucidal component) sandwiched between two outer layers that are not treated with a pathogenic component. While the inner layer of such a conventional mask is used to kill or inactivate pathogens, the untreated outer layers become contaminated upon contact with pathogens. As a result, when a user touches or removes the mask, their hands may become contaminated, subsequently contaminating themselves (e.g., by touching their face) or other surfaces (e.g., by touching such surfaces). Furthermore, the inventors recognized that disposing of a contaminated mask can cause further contamination of other surfaces that come into contact with the outer layer during disposal. To overcome these shortcomings of conventional masks, the inventors have developed a single-layer barrier treated with a pathogenic component that can be worn on the face as a face cover. This improved single-layer barrier effectively kills or inactivates invading pathogens while minimizing the risk of barrier contamination. Therefore, the improved single-layer barrier minimizes the risk of contamination for the user (e.g., when touching or disposing of the barrier) and the risk of contamination of other surfaces (e.g., when the barrier is disposed of). The inventors recognized the shortcomings of conventional masks. For example, conventional masks contain multiple layers, which significantly limits breathability and ease of breathing. This can have health implications for individuals suffering from respiratory illnesses (e.g., asthma). Furthermore, wearing such conventional masks may be required during sports activities (e.g., by laws and/or regulations to control viral pandemics), which can significantly restrict the breathing of athletes. To overcome this significant drawback of conventional masks, the inventors developed a single-layer barrier treated with a pathogen-killing component that can be worn on the face. The improved single-layer barrier consists of only a single layer, thereby providing significantly higher breathability and ease of breathing compared to conventional masks, while also having the effect of killing or inactivating pathogens at least. The inventors also recognized another drawback of conventional masks. For example, during viral pandemics, shortages of specific masks used by healthcare workers (e.g., N95 masks) are common. This shortage is likely due to the high frequency with which masks are discarded after a certain number of uses. While certain methods exist for sterilizing masks after multiple uses, these methods can damage the mask material and affect its performance upon reuse. To overcome this well-known drawback of mask shortages, the inventors developed a single-layer barrier treated with a pathogenic component that can be used to encapsulate conventional masks (e.g., N95 masks) to minimize mask contamination. This effectively extends the lifespan of conventional masks and reduces the frequency of mask shortages. Furthermore, the single-layer barrier also improves other methods (e.g., sterilization) that can affect the performance of conventional masks upon reuse. The inventors noted that attempts to reduce transmission include previous mask inventions. However, masks inherently have limitations in that their outer surface (facing away from the user) and inner surface (facing the user) can be contaminated by either the environment or the user, and individuals must properly remove and dispose of the mask to avoid infection risks. This creates risks for the user and, similarly, for others through indirect transmission. Furthermore, in pandemic situations, personal protective equipment is often scarce, forcing many individuals to reuse protective masks, and there is often a lack of reliable means to