ANTIMICROBIAL ADHESIVE FORMULATION AND FILM DRESSINGS HAVING AN ANTIMICROBIAL ADHESIVE

Abstract

An adhesive formulation is provided for use in a film wound dressing. The adhesive formulation includes a medical-grade adhesive and an antimicrobial substance. This adhesive formulation may be coated onto one or more surfaces of a medical-grade transparent film suitable for a wound dressing. The antimicrobial material may be a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may comprise 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. The 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride may constitute about 72% of the silane quaternary ammonium salt. The medical-grade adhesive may comprise an acrylic adhesive. Further, the adhesive formulation may include about 0.01% to about 60% of the antimicrobial substance. The transparent film dressing may further include a release liner applied over the coated side(s) of the transparent film. The transparent film may comprise polyurethane.

Claims

1. A method of using a film dressing comprising: securing an intravenous needle onto a patient with a medical-grade film, at least a portion of which is coated with an adhesive formulation, the adhesive formulation comprising a silane quaternary ammonium salt mixed with an adhesive.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: before securing, coating the portion of the medical-grade film with the adhesive formulation.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: before coating, mixing the adhesive with the silane quaternary ammonium salt to form the adhesive formulation.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising: after coating, applying a release liner over the adhesive formulation coated onto the medical-grade film.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the coating is performed using a knife-over-roll method.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical-grade film has a first side and a second side; and coating at least a portion of the medical-grade film with the adhesive formulation comprises coating the first side but not the second side.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical-grade film has a first side and a second side; and coating at least a portion of the medical-grade film with the adhesive formulation comprises coating the first side and the second side.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical-grade film is a transparent film.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical-grade film is a 1-mil polyurethane film.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the silane quaternary ammonium salt is 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is an acrylic adhesive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] In the drawings:

[0008] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a film dressing constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a monomer that may be used in the embodiments described herein as an antimicrobial treatment substance;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a plurality of the monomers shown in FIG. 2 as applied to a treated surface;

[0011] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the monomer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating a first step in the manner by which the monomer destroys a microbe;

[0012] FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the monomer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating a second step in the manner by which the monomer destroys a microbe; and

[0013] FIG. 4C is a schematic representation of the monomer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating a third step in the manner by which the monomer destroys a microbe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale and certain components are enlarged relative to the other components for purposes of emphasis and understanding.

[0015] A novel adhesive formulation for film dressings is disclosed herein that not only provides the requisite adhesion properties, but also eliminates bacteria on contact. In general, the adhesive formulation comprises an adhesive and an antimicrobial substance, such as a silane quaternary ammonium salt. The adhesive may be a medical-grade acrylic based or synthetic rubber based. Preferred silane quaternary ammonium salts are MicrobeCare XLP, which is available from MicrobeCare, LLC of Allendale, Michigan, and AEM 5772 Antimicrobial, which is available from Aegis Environments of Midland, Michigan. These particular antimicrobial substances include an active ingredient of about 72% 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride and about 28% inert ingredients. The antimicrobial could also be AEGIS Microbe Shield (from Aegis Environments, Midland, Michigan), which is a copolymer of chloropropyltrihydroxysilane and octadecylaminodimethyltrihydroxysilylpropyl ammonium chloride.

[0016] Silane quaternary ammonium salts are particularly well suited for the antimicrobial material as they are long lasting and are capable of emitting ions that aid in the destruction of a microbe. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a monomer form 30 of a preferred organofunctional silane. As illustrated, monomer 30 includes a silane base 31 for bonding to a surface, a positively charged nitrogen molecule 34, and a long molecular chain 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the silane bases of these monomers covalently and permanently bond to each other and to any surfaces 10 in such a way that the long molecular chains are aligned and pointing outward from such surfaces 10. This tight bonding provides a micropolymer network that serves as a protective coating on the outside of the surface 10 that destroys any microbes that come into contact. In addition, silane quaternary ammonium salts are preferable as they are substantially free from arsenic, silver, tin, heavy metals and polychlorinated phenols. Also, they are safe to apply to the skin or to a wound of a patient.

[0017] The manner by which the preferred organofunctional silane destroys microbes is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C. Microbes may include bacteria, mold, mildew, algae, etc. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cell membranes 20 of the microbes are attracted to, and then are punctured by, the long molecular chains 32 of the monomers 30. As the microbes are drawn closer because of the positive-negative ion exchanges, the monomers 30 penetrate further into the cell membranes 20 as shown in FIG. 4B. Once the cell membranes 20 are penetrated deeply, they are physically ruptured by a sword-like action and then electrocuted by positively charged nitrogen molecules 34 of the monomers 30, thus destroying the microbes as illustrated in FIG. 4C. Thus, the microbes are eliminated without using up any of the antimicrobial active ingredients, which remain in the adhesive formulation ready to continue protecting the patient against further microbial contamination.

[0018] The preferred organofunctional silane also prevents odor, staining and product deterioration that may be associated with microbe contamination. The preferred organofunctional silane is also beneficial because it covers a broad spectrum of activity with no negative effects or drawbacks and is easily incorporated and easily verifiable.

[0019] The antimicrobial substance may be mixed into the adhesive in various amounts of anywhere from about 0.01% to about 60% to achieve the desired degree of antimicrobial activity while not compromising the adhesion properties of the resulting mixture.

[0020] The adhesive formulation 55 (FIG. 1) is then coated on one side or both sides of a medical-grade film 50, which may be a transparent film of the type commonly used for a wound dressing 40. One suitable transparent film is a 1-mil polyurethane film available from DermaMed Coatings Company, LLC of Tallmadge, Ohio. The coating method may be a knife-over-roll method. A release liner 60 may be applied to the coated side(s) of the transparent film 50.

[0021] The transparent film 50 may be used as a wound dressing or for any other medical use such as securing an intravenous needle to a patient.

[0022] The film 50 may also be opaque and may be of the type that is commonly used for bandages or medical tape.

[0023] The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which will be defined by claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.