Indicator device having an active agent encapsulated in an electrospun nanofiber

Abstract

An indicator device for determining the efficacy of an antimicrobial treatment process. The indicator device includes an active agent encapsulated in an encapsulation component. The encapsulation components preferably takes the form of an electrospun nanofiber including a polymer.

1 . An indicator device for use in determining the efficacy of an antimicrobial treatment process, comprising:
 a chemical agent responsive to exposure to a chemical of the antimicrobial treatment process;   a physical agent that breaks down during the antimicrobial treatment process to expose the chemical agent to the chemical;   at least one encapsulation component comprising electrospun nanofibers comprised of at least one of the following: a polymer; a polymer blend; and a mixture of a polymer and a plasticizer, wherein the chemical agent and the physical agent are encapsulated by the electrospun nanofibers; and   a carrier substrate for supporting the electrospun nanofibers, wherein the electrospun nanofibers are deposited on the carrier substrate in an electrospinning process.   
     
     
         2 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said physical agent has a pressure-sensitive property that prevents exposure of the chemical agent to the chemical, until occurrence of a predetermined event associated with the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         3 . An indicator device according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined event is commencement of a stage of the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         4 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said physical agent has a heat-sensitive property that prevents exposure of the chemical agent to the chemical until occurrence of a predetermined event associated with the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         5 . An indicator device according to  claim 4 , wherein said predetermined event is commencement of a stage of the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         6 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said physical agent has a time-sustaining property that prevents exposure of the chemical agent to the chemical until occurrence of a predetermined event associated with the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         7 . An indicator device according to  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined event is an elapsed time period of the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         8 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said chemical agent is an iron oxide, a manganese oxide, copper sulfate, tetrazolium, sulfur, or lead salt. 
     
     
         9 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said chemical agent is an inorganic dye with photo-, thermo- and/or electrochemical-chromic properties, an organic dye with photo-, thermo- and/or electrochemical-chromic properties, calorimetric, fluorescence, phosphorescence, or chemiluminescence properties, biological dyes, redox dyes, crown ethers to detect metal ions, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . An indicator device according to  claim 9 , wherein said colorimetric property is food colors carotenoids, oxonols, azo-compounds, aza-compounds, nitro-compounds, nitroso-compounds, carbonyl, quinone-compounds or anthraquinone-compounds. 
     
     
         11 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said chemical agent provides a colorimetric change in response to exposure to said chemical of the antimicrobial treatment process. 
     
     
         12 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said physical agent is selected from the group consisting of: polymers, non-polymers, supports systems, markers that provide detection of treatment process parameters, microelectrode materials, electrochemical sensor materials, nanocarbon tube, RFID tags, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said encapsulation component includes at least one of the following: (a) a polymeric gel that is insoluble in water, (b) a polymer resin, (c) a cellulose-based polymer, (d) a biologically derived polymer, (e) peptides, (f) shellac, (g) a polymer with active binding sites for at least one of halogens, quaternary amines, acrylates, olefins, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . An indicator device according to  claim 13 , wherein said polymeric gel is co-polymers of polyvinylpyrolidone, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, cross-linked polyacrylates, or polyethyleneimine. 
     
     
         15 . An indicator device according to  claim 13 , wherein said cellulose-based polymer is ethylcellulose. 
     
     
         16 . An indicator device according to  claim 13 , wherein said biologically derived polymer is collagen, polyhydroxy-aldehydes or ketones. 
     
     
         17 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said encapsulation component encapsulates at least one of the following: a miniature metal, a solid state material, or MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems). 
     
     
         18 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said encapsulation component includes at least one of the following: polycaprolactone; pluronic acid; a polyether-based thermoplastic polyurethane; a polymeric gel that is insoluble in water; a polymer resin, and a cellulose-based polymer, albumin, and N-halamine polymers. 
     
     
         19 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said encapsulation component includes a solvent. 
     
     
         20 . An indicator device according to  claim 19 , wherein said solvent is tetrahydrafuran (THF), ethanol (EtOH), acetone, isopropanol, water, an ionic liquid, dimethylsulfoxide, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . An indicator device according to  claim 1 , wherein said carrier substrate is a rigid porous or nonporous material. 
     
     
         22 . An indicator device according to  claim 21 , wherein said carrier substrate is stainless steel, woven fibers, non-woven fibers, glass, or plastics.