Biocidic textiles and fabrics
AssigneeOplon B.V.
InventorsShmuel Bukshpan, Gleb Zilberstein
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Abstract
It is in the scope of the invention to disclose a biocidic textiles and fabrics, comprising at least one insoluble proton sink or source (PSS). The textiles and fabrics is provided useful for killing living target cells (LTCs), or otherwise disrupting vital intracellular processes and/or intercellular interactions of the LTC upon contact; the PSS comprising (i) proton source or sink providing a buffering capacity; and (ii) means providing proton conductivity and/or electrical potential; wherein the PSS is effectively disrupting the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within the confined volume of the LTC and/or disrupting vital intercellular interactions of the LTCs while efficiently preserving the pH of the LTCs' environment.
Claims33
1-26. (canceled)
Biocidic textiles and fabrics effective for killing cells, said biocidic textiles and fabrics comprising at least one charged polymer, said at least one charged polymer characterized, when in contact with a water-containing environment, as:
- a. carrying strongly acid and/or strongly basic functional groups;
- b. having a pH of less than about 4.5 or greater than about 8.0;
- c. capable of generating an electrical potential within the confined volume of said cell sufficient to disrupt effectively the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within said confined volume of said cell;
- and,
- d. being in a form chosen from the group consisting of (i) H+ and (ii) OH−;
- wherein said charged polymer is adapted to preserve the pH of said cell's environment.
A method for increasing the rate of death of living cells and/or decreasing the rate of reproduction of living cells within a water containing-environment, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing biocidic textiles and fabrics comprising at least one charged polymer, said at least one charged polymer characterized, when in contact with said water-containing environment, as:
- i. carrying strongly acid and/or strongly basic functional groups;
- ii. having a pH of less than about 4.5 or greater than about 8.0;
- iii. capable of generating an electrical potential within the confined volume of said cell sufficient to disrupt effectively the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within said confined volume of said cell;
- and,
- iv. being in a form chosen from the group consisting of (i) H+ and (ii) OH−;
- and,
- b. placing said biocidic textiles and fabrics in contact with said water-containing environment.
A method of production of a biocidic textiles and fabrics effective for killing cells, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing at least one charged polymer, said at least one charged polymer characterized, when in contact with said water-containing environment, as:
- i. carrying strongly acid and/or strongly basic functional groups;
- ii. having a pH of less than about 4.5 or greater than about 8.0;
- iii. capable of generating an electrical potential within the confined volume of said cell sufficient to disrupt effectively the pH homeostasis and/or electrical balance within said confined volume of said cell;
- and,
- iv. being in a form chosen from the group consisting of (i) H+ and (ii) OH−;
- and,
- b. incorporating said charged polymer into a fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.