HK40002524A - Material, device, and method for deactivating pathogen in aerosol, and methods for manufacturing thereof - Google Patents

Description

Materials, devices and methods for inactivating pathogens in aerosols and methods for making the same

Technical Field

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to devices and methods for filtration and inactivation of airborne pathogens. Embodiments disclosed herein include pathogen-inactivating materials, a filter for inactivating pathogens, a method for making the pathogen-inactivating material for the filter, and a method for inactivating an airborne pathogen (e.g., pathogenic aerosol).

Background

An air filter: typically, attempts to control the spread of various respiratory diseases may be made through the use of an air filter, such as, for example, a respiratory guard (respirator) or a mask. Typically, a number of known air filters capture air bag particulates based on the size of the plurality of airborne particulates (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.) in an attempt to prevent or reduce the spread of a number of gas-transmissible diseases. For example: multiple N95 respiratory protection kits were used to reduce the risk of infection associated with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus. However, an air filter may not provide satisfactory and sufficient protection against some airborne pathogens. There are many factors that affect the efficacy of an air filter that may not adequately filter some small-sized airborne pathogens, providing ineffective protection against the multiple airborne pathogens. For example: the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certified N95 respiratory protectors do not provide a desired level of protection against infectious particles (including aerosols) of 40 to 50 nanometers (nm). It will be appreciated that the efficacy of the air filter (e.g., a respiratory protection device or a mask) also depends on a minimization of leakage of pathogens through the air filter, which may result in failure to protect a subject from infection even if the air filter has a slight leakage for a small fraction of airborne pathogens, which in turn may result in the spread of airborne infections. Thus, the use of an air filter, for example: an N95 respiratory harness requires trained personnel to perform a time-consuming fitness test that would frustrate the common use of an air filter during, for example, a pandemic. In addition, contamination/transmission (i.e., one or more of cross-contamination, cross-transmission, contact contamination, and contact transmission) can be a safety concern due to a plurality of residual pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.) that are retained in the air filter (e.g., such as:). Filters, such as: a respiratory protection gear or a face/surgical mask after use. In addition, a used air filter is typically not reusable due to damage from multiple resterilization. For example: an N95 respiratory harness is proposed for single use only. Thus, in a pandemic outbreak, an estimated cost of multiple air filters (e.g., respiratory protection gear or mask) can be as high as $100 billion in the United states alone.

A disinfection device: contamination by hand is a major route to infectious bacterial infection and transmission, threatening the safety of mothers, newborns, children and the elderly in private and public places. Gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria can survive days to months on a number of different surfaces. Most of the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) are based on two-hand disinfection, where multiple pathogens are controlled by a number of appropriate hand hygiene techniques (i.e., washing the hands with soap and water or alcohol-based disinfectants). However, in many resource-scarce countries, the limited availability and poor compliance with recommended hand hygiene practices result in an increased incidence of primary/secondary infections. Therefore, the development of a simple yet effective preservative device has been identified as a key non-pharmaceutical intervention technique to prevent the spread of multiple infectious diseases.

To this end, it is an object of the present invention to develop a reusable antimicrobial cloth that is highly compliant for decontaminating both hands without the use of multiple conventional liquid-based preservatives. Unfortunately, all conventional antibacterial methods use halogens (e.g., N-halamines), metals (e.g., silver nitrate, silver-copper), quaternary ammonium compounds, and antibodies to react with antigens, which limits their commercial applications due to a number of disadvantages of each method, such as: slow inactivation (inactivation should be rapid, on the order of minutes, rather than hours) or binding specificity. These factors make them impractical and expensive for use on a large scale. Based on the above observations, we identified key parameters for the development of multiple pathogen inactivation filters: rapid/efficient inactivation, non-specificity of the strain, reusability, low cost, simple production.

Disclosure of Invention

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to addressing the various problems and disadvantages associated with commonly known air filters and sanitizing fabric devices, and generally relate to filtration of pathogens, inactivation of pathogens, or filtration and inactivation of pathogens. In particular, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a filter material, an air filter, methods for manufacturing the filter material, methods for manufacturing the air filter, and methods for filtering an airborne pathogen. More particularly, the various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a pathogen-inactivating air filter, methods for manufacturing the pathogen-inactivating air filter, and methods for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol. Some other embodiments disclosed herein relate to a plurality of sterilized fabric devices and methods of making the sterilized fabric devices.

In one broad aspect, the various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pathogen-inactivating air filtration and/or disinfection fabric device comprising a layer of salt crystals (e.g., a fibrous material, a fibrous layer, a fabric, a porous membrane, a mesh, etc.) coated on a support member. The various embodiments disclosed herein use salt recrystallization disposed on the support member for evaporating moisture from an aerosol to inactivate a plurality of pathogens contained in the aerosol. The evaporation of water during the recrystallization of the salts causes physical, chemical, or both physical and chemical damage to the pathogens.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to air filters that are easy to use, reusable without reprocessing, recyclable, and also capable of inactivating a wide range of pathogenic aerosols (i.e., the pathogens in the aerosol). Thus, the various embodiments disclosed herein may be effective to reduce the risk of contamination/transmission of multiple pathogens. The pathogen inactivated air filtration material may be used alone or in combination with another air filtration material. In one aspect, the pathogen-inactivated air filtration material may be incorporated into an air filtration device (e.g., filter mask, furnace filter, air conditioning filter, cabin filter, etc.) or an air purifier device.

In another broad aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein provide methods of preparing a pathogen-inactivated material. In one aspect, the pathogen inactivating material comprises a layer of salt crystals obtained from a material in a salt coating solution. In one aspect, the salt coating solution comprises an organic salt or an inorganic salt. In one aspect, the salt coating solution further comprises a surfactant. In one aspect, the salt coating solution further comprises an additive. In one aspect, the salt coating solution further comprises an excipient. In one aspect, the salt coating solution does not contain any surfactant.

In another broad aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein provide methods of inactivating a pathogenic aerosol. For example: the method includes absorbing the pathogenic aerosol to a crystal layer of a salt of the pathogen inactivating material, dissolving the salt crystal into the pathogenic aerosol and contacting the salt crystal with the pathogenic aerosol, and then recrystallizing the salt dissolved in the pathogenic aerosol. Inactivation or destruction of the pathogen may be attributed to the recrystallization of the salts and increases electrostatic interactions and osmotic pressure.

Drawings

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the various apparatuses and methods described in this specification may be practiced. Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1A-1D show schematic diagrams of a fibrous material for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2A-2D show schematic diagrams of a fibrous material for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, according to another embodiment.

Figure 3 illustrates the schematic of layered materials for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4A and 4B show schematic diagrams of a mask for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows schematic diagrams of an air filtration device configured to be worn by a user to inactivate a pathogenic aerosol, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 6 shows schematic views of an air filtration device configured to be mounted to an air supply device to deactivate a pathogenic aerosol, according to another embodiment.

Figure 7 shows an electron micrograph image of a fibrous material for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8A shows a filter_{Air conditioner}(Filter_bare) A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping image, which are discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 8B shows a filter_{Wet +600 microliter}(Filter_wet+600μl) An SEM and EDX map image of (a), which is discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 9A shows the filter_{Air conditioner}An optical microscope image of an aerosol as described above, which is discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 9B shows the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}An optical microscope image of an aerosol as described above, which is discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 10 shows an amount of NaCl crystals per unit area (mg/cm) coated on the material according to one embodiment²) A graph of a relationship with a volume of NaCl coating solution (microliters (μ l)) used to coat the material.

Fig. 11 illustrates a plurality of filtration efficiency data for a plurality of pathogen inactivation filters at different pressures according to some embodiments.

Figure 12 illustrates a plurality of weight change data after infection of a plurality of mice with an osmotic dose of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter versus time post infection, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 13 illustrates survival rates of mice after infection with an osmotic dose of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter versus time post infection, according to some embodiments.

Figure 14 shows pneumovirus titer data for days 4 after infection of multiple mice with multiple osmotic doses of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter, according to some embodiments.

Figure 15 shows levels of pneumococcal cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN- γ) after multiple mice were infected with multiple osmotic doses of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter, according to some embodiments.

Figure 16 shows relative Hemagglutinin (HA) activity of viruses in multiple virus aerosols over incubation time on multiple pathogen inactivation filters, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 17 shows a plurality of virus titer data for a plurality of virus aerosols incubated for 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and 60 minutes on a plurality of pathogen inactivation filters, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 18 shows a data plot of relative intensities of native fluorescence and nile red fluorescence of the virus recovered from pathogen inactivation filters after incubation for 60 minutes, according to some embodiments.

Figure 19 shows a plurality of body weight change data for a plurality of mouse infections incubated for 60 minutes on a plurality of pathogen inactivation filters for the virus versus time post infection, according to some embodiments.

Figure 20 shows a plurality of pneumovirus titer data for CA/09 virus before and after incubation of a plurality of mice for 60 minutes on a filter coated with the salt crystals.

Figure 21 shows a plurality of body weight change data for a plurality of mice infected with an osmotic dose of the virus on a plurality of pathogen inactivation filters versus time post infection, according to some embodiments.

Figure 22 shows viral titer data for aerosolized CA/09H1N1, PR/34H1N1, and VN/04H5N1 incubated on pathogen inactivation filters according to some embodiments.

Figure 23 shows body weight change data for permeation doses of CA/09 virus on a pathogen inactivation filter before and after 1 day exposure at 37 ℃ and 70% Relative Humidity (RH) versus time post infection for mice infected according to one embodiment.

Figure 24 shows a survival data for mice infected with multiple permeation doses of CA/09 virus on a pathogen inactivation filter before and after 1 day exposure at 37 ℃ and 70% RH versus time post infection.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a pathogen-inactivating filtration material and a multilayer structure.

FIG. 26 shows a flow diagram of embodiments of a method for making a pathogen-inactivating filter material.

Fig. 27 shows a schematic of an apparatus for making a pathogen inactivating filter material according to one embodiment.

Fig. 28 shows a top view of a filter holder arrangement shown in fig. 27.

FIG. 29 shows a schematic view of a hand sanitizer according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

Multiple respiratory tract infections are one of the leading causes of acute illness in the united states, and can be transmitted by inhalation of multiple pathogenic aerosols. In addition, multiple respiratory infections can be transmitted to the public by multiple pathogenic aerosols exhaled by infected persons. The plurality of pathogenic aerosols, also referred to as a plurality of infectious aerosols, are a plurality of aerosolized pathogen particles. In some embodiments, the plurality of pathogenic aerosols can be a plurality of airborne water droplets comprising a plurality of transmissible pathogens. The plurality of pathogenic aerosols may originate from, for example, breathing, coughing, sneezing, and the like. The plurality of transmissible pathogens includes, but is not limited to: measles, influenza virus, adenovirus, African swine fever virus, varicella-zoster virus, smallpox virus, anthrax, respiratory syncytial virus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Francisella tularensis, plague bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, etc. In some embodiments, the plurality of transmissible pathogens is a plurality of respiratory pathogens.

Environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, radiation, and ozone) have been found to be closely related to the stability of a virus it is generally understood that aerosolized influenza viruses can survive In an airborne state for 1 to 36 hours, e.g., multiple inactivation rates of avian influenza viruses In aerosols (α ═ In N_t-In N₀T) is reported to be at 10⁰To 10²Sky^-1Within the range of (a): whereas the multiple inactivation rates of avian influenza virus in cold water with low salinity were reported to be at 10^-1To 10^-2Sky^-1Within the range of (1). However, because of the many environmental factors that may affect the multiple deactivation rates, it is difficult to summarize the reported data, and thus, the range of the multiple deactivation rates may have many exceptions. For example: influenza a/moscow/10/99 (H3N2) survived for up to 17 days on several banknotes with mucus present. However, despite the long life of influenza a/moscow/10/99 (H3N2) in mucus, transmission through the multiple aerosols is considered to be the most important pathway for influenza virus. Multiple aerosols can be administered at 50% Infectious Dose (ID)₅₀) (50% Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID)₅₀) 0.6 to 3.0) to achieve excellent target site penetration. Further, it corresponds to 0.67TCID₅₀May be placed in an aerosol droplet. Thus, it is clear that aerosols play an important role in said airborne transmission of e.g. influenza.

Clinical symptoms associated with common respiratory infections caused by respiratory pathogens include, but are not limited to: bronchiolitis (respiratory syncytial virus), bronchopneumonia (influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus), rhinitis (rhinovirus, coronavirus) and croup (parainfluenza virus), influenza (influenza virus), smallpox (smallpox virus), etc. Multiple respiratory pathogens may cause multiple highly similar clinical symptoms, and thus, some respiratory pathogens may be indistinguishable based on multiple symptoms alone. Multiple respiratory tract infections can lead to epidemics/pandemics. Influenza is one of the major respiratory diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Influenza pandemics typically occur when a new strain of influenza virus (e.g., influenza a virus) emerges due to antigenic shift. There are three major fatal influenza outbreaks in the 20 th century: H1N1 subtype in 1918, H2N2 subtype in 1957 and H3N2 subtype in 1968. All of the multiple outbreaks were highly contagious and resulted in over 5000 million deaths. Recently, avian influenza H5N1 was outbreak in southeast Asia, resulting in over 1.5 million birds died. The H5N1 avian influenza can also affect, and in some cases cause death, in the human. From 2003 to 2011 at 1 month, 306 deaths were reported among 519 human infections with a mortality rate of 59%. To date, the avian influenza virus strain H5N1 has been zoonotic to date. That is, many human infections are only associated with direct contact with infected poultry and are not transmitted from person to person. However, a human adapted avian influenza virus may appear, which causes a devastating global pandemic and causes enormous economic losses. Based on the similarity between the H1N1 subtype and the H5N1 avian influenza virus strain, it is expected that the H5N1 influenza pandemic will result in 170 million deaths in the united states and 180 to 360 million deaths worldwide. For moderate pandemics, like the epidemic in 1957 and 1968, the medical cost alone is estimated to approach $1810 billion dollars.

In addition, multiple respiratory pathogens may be used as a biological weapon. For example: smallpox is a highly contagious and fatal disease caused by airborne smallpox virus, and is useful as a biological weapon because it can affect a large number of people. The ceiling can be transmitted by breathing multiple aerosols exhaled/coughed by an infected person or by direct skin contact. Smallpox is considered extremely dangerous to public health due to its high mortality rate (about 30%) and contagious infections.

Although multiple vaccines can greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality of some respiratory infections, a major drawback is that due to multiple shifts and drifts of multiple antigens, new vaccines may need to be continuously developed to maintain their efficacy. Furthermore, a vaccine can only be prepared if the new strain is identified. Thus, the vaccine may not be available until the first 6 months after the initial outbreak of pandemic. Even if an effective viral vaccine is developed, there are still many potential problems, such as: vaccine supplies are limited due to, for example, insufficient production capacity and/or time consuming manufacturing processes. Thus, in the absence of multiple effective vaccines, for example: air filters (e.g., respiratory protection devices and masks worn over the nose and mouth) may be an alternative means for controlling and preventing respiratory infections. For example: n95 respiratory protection tools have been reported to be effective in reducing the risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) viral infection. An effective method of controlling multiple respiratory tract infections instead of vaccination is generally to use an air filtration device, such as: a plurality of respiratory protection gear or a plurality of masks.

However, many known air filtration devices have a number of significant disadvantages, and some known air filtration devices fail to provide adequate protection against a plurality of infectious aerosols of very small size. That is, when the particle or aerosol size is very small, multiple filter devices may not be effective in preventing the particles or aerosol from passing through the filter material. For example: NIOSH certified N95 respiratory protection gear does not protect a wearer against infectious aerosols of 40 to 50 nanometers. The efficacy of known air filtration devices is dependent upon the mesh size of the air filtration material, which sets a threshold limit for infectious aerosols. That is, the plurality of infectious aerosols are removed from the breathing air only when a plurality of sizes of the plurality of infectious aerosols exceed the threshold limit. On the other hand, when the plurality of sizes of the plurality of infectious aerosols are below the threshold limit, the plurality of infectious aerosols may be inhaled into the lungs of the wearer (exhaled to the public).

The various efficiencies of known air filtration devices also depend on the sealing of the air filter. An insufficient seal may result in a leak through the known air filter arrangement. A leak in the known air filtration devices does not provide complete protection against respiratory tract infections. Accordingly, the plurality of known air filtration devices (e.g., a plurality of respiratory protection devices or a plurality of masks) may require trained personnel to perform time-consuming fit tests for a plurality of wearers. However, the time-consuming fit test makes known air filtration devices (e.g., N95 respiratory guards) an impractical measure during a pandemic. Furthermore, it is not practical for young children, the elderly and many patients with a chronic lung disease to wear a respiratory harness for extended periods of time, as the respiratory harness may make breathing difficult and cause chest pain. In addition, with known air filtration devices, secondary infections due to pathogens on a used air filter also present a safety issue. Furthermore, it is not possible to re-disinfect the plurality of used known air filter devices without damaging the filter material of the plurality of known air filter devices. Thus, the plurality of known air filtration materials and devices are generally recommended for single use only, and generally need to be disposed of as a plurality of biohazardous materials. Thus, in the united states alone, the estimated cost of a pandemic outbreak can be as high as $100 billion dollars.

Due to these factors, the use of multiple air filtration devices (e.g., N95 respiratory guards) on a large scale during a pandemic or a pandemic is impractical and expensive. Past experience with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), H1N1 swine flu, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has shown that many surgical masks are most widely followed by the public, although they have no evidence of any real protection against many infectious aerosols. Thus, there is a lack of effective personal protection measures during the outbreak, which is not beneficial to multiple individuals and multiple health workers, especially in the early stages where no effective vaccine is available.

Disclosed herein are materials and devices for overcoming the disadvantages of known surgical masks, respiratory protection gear, and other known air filtration devices described above. For example: a filter material useful in a plurality of air filtration devices configured to inactivate a pathogenic aerosol. In one embodiment, the filter material is manufactured by modifying the surface of a fiber or fabric of salt crystals having a continuous or discontinuous salt coating layer. In one embodiment, the plurality of salt crystals may include, but are not limited to: nano, micro, large size salt particles. The plurality of fibers or surfaces having a plurality of salt crystals provide a functionalizing material that inactivates pathogenic aerosols by two sequential processes:

i) said salts dissolving upon exposure to said plurality of pathogenic aerosols, an

ii) the salts recrystallize as the plurality of aerosols evaporates.

The recrystallization of the salts after evaporation of the water results in inactivation of the pathogen by denaturation of antigens and/or disruption of lipid envelopes. Furthermore, electrostatic interactions between multiple dissolved salt ions and pathogens, as well as increased osmotic stress, can reduce pathogenic infectivity even before crystal growth. Thus, the increasing concentration of salt during evaporation and the recrystallization of the salt can cause physical, chemical, or both physical and chemical damage to the plurality of pathogens adsorbed to the functionalized surface. Thus, the damage inactivates the plurality of pathogens.

In another embodiment, the plurality of disclosed materials and plurality of apparatuses can be used to develop a plurality of sterilized fabric products, comprising: a hand sanitizer, a plurality of stain removal garments, a plurality of antimicrobial wipes, a plurality of gowns, an apron, boots, and gloves for a plurality of personal infection control measures. As the multiple pathogenic aerosols settle and deposit on the multiple different surfaces (i.e., skin, fabric, metal, paper, plastic, wood, ceramic, etc.), infection and transmission can be eliminated.

The plurality of salt crystals may be coated, grown, bonded, mixed, blended, and arranged on one or more surfaces of the plurality of fibers or filter material(s). Thus, a plurality of air filtration devices comprising the plurality of materials can be very effective in deactivating a plurality of pathogenic aerosols. The salt crystals can be arranged on a plurality of fibers or a layer of natural fibers, natural fabrics, synthetic fibers, synthetic fabrics, feathers, breathing protective mask and the like.

The various embodiments disclosed herein address the problems of known masks commonly found in combating pathogenic aerosols and also provide versatile means for inactivating a broad spectrum of pathogens, effectively preventing the transmission of airborne pathogens. The various embodiments disclosed herein are more effective for a number of airborne pathogens, easier to use, recyclable without reprocessing, and may reduce a number of potential risks of contamination/transmission.

Various advantages of the various embodiments disclosed in this specification will become more apparent by reference to the following description and the various drawings. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the filter and methods described herein may be practiced.

Fig. 1A shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100 for inactivating a pathogen aerosol. In the present specification, the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100 is also referred to as the pathogen-inactivating air filter, an active filtration layer, a salt crystal-coated filter, a salt crystal-coated fabric, or a salt crystal-coated air filter. The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100 comprises a support material, in this case a fibrous material 102 (synthetic or natural), wherein a plurality of salt crystals 104 are disposed on the fibrous material 102, i.e., on an outer surface 106 thereof. The plurality of salt crystals 104 cover a sufficient portion of the outer surface 106 of the fibrous material 102. The plurality of salt crystals 104 or some of the plurality of salt crystals 104 may also be impregnated into the fibrous material 102. The plurality of salt crystals 104 may include, but are not limited to: crystals of inorganic salts, crystals of organic salts and mixtures thereof. Thus, the salt crystals 104 may include a mixture of two or more different types of inorganic salts, a mixture of two or more different types of organic salts, or a mixture of organic and inorganic salts. For example: the plurality of salt crystals 104 may be formed from the following salts: sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate salts, sodium glutamate, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium glutamate, and combinations thereof. Thus, the plurality of salt crystals 104 may include: one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium salt, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate, and ions thereof. In one embodiment, the plurality of salt crystals 104 includes only a plurality of inorganic salt crystals (excluding any organic salts). In one embodiment, the plurality of salt crystals 104 includes only a plurality of organic salt crystals (excluding any inorganic salts). In one embodiment, the salt crystals 104 include inorganic salt crystals and organic salt crystals. The plurality of salts absorb moisture from the air at a plurality of ambient conditions above a critical Relative Humidity (RH) of the plurality of salts. In one embodiment, the moisture stability of the salt coating can be varied depending on the type of salt and its composition to form a plurality of salt coated filters that are specific to environmental conditions. For example: the critical Relative Humidity (RH) of sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, potassium chloride and potassium sulfate was 75%, 80%, 84% and 96%, respectively. In one embodiment, salts with high critical RH are preferred in multiple humid environments. In one embodiment, the plurality of salt crystals have nanometer, micrometer, and macroscopic scales.

Fig. 1B shows the schematic of the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100 of fig. 1A adsorbed on the outer surface 106 as a pathogenic aerosol 108. The plurality of salt crystals 104 are exposed to the pathogenic aerosol 108, and the plurality of pathogenic aerosols 108 are produced by a plurality of pathogens 110 (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.) surrounded by moisture 112.

Referring to fig. 1C, the plurality of salt crystals 104 in contact with the pathogenic aerosol 108 begin to dissolve, which in turn increases the electrostatic interaction and osmotic pressure of the plurality of pathogens 110 in the pathogenic aerosol 108. As the size of the pathogenic aerosol 108 decreases over time due to evaporation of the moisture 112, the salt concentration in the pathogenic aerosol 108 increases. Thus, exposure of the plurality of pathogens 110 to increased osmotic pressure and electrostatic interaction with the plurality of salt ions results in further loss of infectivity of the plurality of pathogens.

Referring to fig. 1D, the plurality of pathogens 110 is inactivated and becomes a plurality of inactivated pathogens 114. In addition, when the salt concentration reaches the solubility limit, the salt dissolved in the pathogenic aerosol 108 recrystallizes, becoming a plurality of recrystallized salt crystals 116 at the outer surface 106. In addition to the electrostatic interaction and osmotic stress, the plurality of pathogens 110 may also be physically damaged due to a plurality of mechanical forces due to the formation of the plurality of recrystallized-salt type crystals 116. In addition, any surfactant in the plurality of salt crystals 104 (if present) may exert multiple destabilizing effects on the plurality of pathogens 110.

The electrostatic interaction, hypertonic stress, and salt recrystallization can induce perturbations of the membrane bodies of the plurality of pathogens 110 and denaturation of a plurality of antigenic proteins with irreversible deformation of the membrane bodies. For example: when the pathogens 110 are the virus, the electrostatic interactions, hypertonic pressure, and salt recrystallization processes can result in multiple damage to the structure of the viral envelopes and surface antigens on the lipid envelope, resulting in loss of infectivity. In addition, the salts can also cause multiple electrostatic potential changes in multiple proteins, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and/or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Thus, the inactivation of the pathogens 110 in the pathogen aerosol 108 is caused by a robust salt crystallization process that combines the destabilization of salt crystal growth with hypertonic pressure and electrostatic interactions.

Fig. 2A shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 200 for inactivating a pathogen aerosol. The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 200 comprises a support material, in this case a fibrous material 202 (synthetic or natural), wherein a salt crystal coating 204 is provided on the fibrous material 202, i.e. the outer surface of the fibrous material 202 is completely or substantially completely covered by the salt crystal coating 204. The plurality of salt crystals or some of the salt crystals of the salt crystal coating layer 204 may also be impregnated into the fiber material 202. The salt crystal coating layer 204 may include, but is not limited to: a plurality of crystals of an inorganic salt, a plurality of crystals of an organic salt, and mixtures thereof. For example: the salt crystal coating layer 204 may be formed of a plurality of salts: sodium chloride, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate salts, sodium glutamate, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium glutamate, and combinations thereof. Accordingly, the salt crystal coating layer 204 may include one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium salt, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate, and ions thereof. In one embodiment, the salt crystal coating layer 204 only includes a plurality of inorganic salt crystals (excluding any organic salt). In one embodiment, the salt crystal coating layer 204 contains only a plurality of organic salt crystals (excluding any inorganic salt). In one embodiment, the salt crystal coating layer 204 includes inorganic salt crystals and organic salt crystals.

Fig. 2B shows a schematic view of the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 200 of fig. 2A, with an outer surface 206 of the salt-like crystal coating 204 adsorbing a pathogenic aerosol 208. The pathogenic aerosol 208 is produced from a plurality of pathogens 210 (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.) surrounded by moisture 212. Since the salt-like crystal coating layer 204 prevents such direct contact, the pathogenic aerosol 208 does not directly contact the fiber material 202.

Referring to fig. 2C, the salts from the salt crystal coating layer 204 in contact with the pathogenic aerosol 208 begin to dissolve, instead increasing the electrostatic interaction and osmotic pressure of the pathogens 210 in the pathogenic aerosol 208. As the size of the pathogenic aerosol 208 decreases over time due to evaporation of the moisture 212, the concentration of the salts in the pathogenic aerosol 208 increases. Thus, the plurality of pathogens 210 is exposed to increased electrostatic interactions and osmotic pressure, resulting in the loss of infectivity by additional plurality of pathogens.

Referring to fig. 2D, the plurality of pathogens 210 is inactivated and becomes a plurality of inactivated pathogens 214. In addition, the plurality of salts dissolved in the pathogenic aerosol 208 recrystallize 216 to reform the salt crystal coating layer 204, and when the concentration of the salts reaches the solubility limit, the outer surface 206 is reformed. In addition to the electrostatic interaction and osmotic stress, the plurality of pathogens 210 may also be physically damaged due to a plurality of mechanical forces due to the reformation of the salt crystal coating layer 204. In addition, any surfactant in the plurality of salt crystals 204 (if present) may exert multiple destabilizing effects on the plurality of pathogens 210.

The electrostatic interaction, hypertonic stress, and salt recrystallization can induce perturbations of the membrane bodies of the plurality of pathogens 210 and denaturation of a plurality of antigenic proteins with irreversible deformation of the membrane bodies. For example: when the pathogens 210 are the virus, the electrostatic interactions, hypertonic pressure, and salt recrystallization processes can result in multiple damage to the structure of the viral envelopes and surface antigens on the lipid envelope, resulting in loss of infectivity. In addition, the salts can also cause multiple electrostatic potential changes of multiple proteins, RNA and/or DNA. Thus, the inactivation of the pathogens 210 in the pathogen aerosol 208 is caused by a robust salt crystallization process that combines the destabilization of salt crystal growth with hypertonic pressure and electrostatic interactions during drying of aerosols.

The salt crystal coating layer 204 and the fiber material 202 may be separable members or a connected integral piece. In one embodiment, the salt crystal coating layer 204 is a separable component formed on the fiber material 202. The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 200 may have more than one crystal layer of salts. The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 200 may have more than one fibrous material 202.

The inactivation of the pathogenic aerosols 108, 208 described above is not specific to a particular pathogen, but can be used to inactivate various types of aerosolized pathogens, such as: a virus, a bacterium, a fungus, a protein, a biomolecule, or any combination thereof. The material 100, 200 allows for a reusable personal protective air filtration device since the cycle of salt dissolution and crystallization can be repeated without damaging the pathogen inactivating fibrous material 100, 200.

The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100, 200 may be used in a wide range of prior art applications, such as: masks, respiratory protection gear, air filters, air purifiers, etc., to achieve a low cost and versatile means for personal and public protection against multiple airborne aerosolized pathogens. Thus, the embodiments disclosed in this specification can contribute to global health by providing a more reliable means to prevent the spread and infection of pandemic or epidemic respiratory infections and bioterrorism. Furthermore, a pathogen-inactivating filter device comprising one or more of the pathogen-inactivating fibrous materials 100, 200 for inactivating and optionally filtering a plurality of airborne pathogens may be used alone or in combination with another air filtration device.

The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100, 200 may be formed from a salt-based coating solution, also referred to as a salt-based coating formulation, or a salt-based solution. A composition of the salt coating solution may include, but is not limited to: for example: salt, surfactant, excipient and additive. In one embodiment, the salt coating solution may include at least one salt. In one embodiment, the salt coating solution may contain at least one salt and at least one surfactant. In one embodiment, the salt coating solution does not contain a surfactant. In one embodiment, the salt coating solution further comprises one or more excipients. In one embodiment, the salt-based coating solution may further include one or more additives to enhance mechanical, chemical stability, adhesion, dyes, and/or other physical or chemical properties of the plurality of salt-based crystals. In one embodiment, the salt coating solution may include one or more additives for controlling, for example, the morphology and/or size of the plurality of salt crystals. In some embodiments, the salt coating solution may contain several different types of additives and surfactants to achieve desired properties.

The salts in the salt solution or salt coating solution include, but are not limited to: an organic salt, an inorganic salt, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the inorganic salts include the plurality of inorganic salts that do not negatively impact human health when used in, for example, respiratory protection gear or a mask. More preferably, the plurality of crystals of inorganic salt includes, but is not limited to: sodium chloride, potassium sulfate and ammonium sulfate. In one embodiment, the inorganic salt crystal includes sodium chloride (NaCl).

The amount of salt or a mixture of salts in a composition of the salt coating solution can vary up to its maximum solubility limit in water. The multiple maximum solubility limits for some salts are about 740 grams/liter (g/l) sodium glutamate, about 660 grams/liter (na/k) tartaric acid, about 360 grams/liter sodium chloride, about 355 grams/liter potassium chloride, about 120 grams/liter potassium sulfate, and about 754 grams/liter ammonium sulfate.

The salt solution or salt coating solution may include an additive, which may include, but is not limited to: for example: a polymer, a metal, a clay, or a combination thereof. It should be understood that the type or kind of the additive is not particularly limited as long as the additive is capable of providing the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100, 200 having desired physical or chemical properties. In one embodiment, a mixture of different types or types of additives may be used in the salt coating solution to improve the performance of the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material 100, 200.

The salt solution or salt coating solution may include an excipient such as: a surfactant. The excipient in the salt coating solution may contain a salt and a surfactant in water. The type and amount of the plurality of excipients can vary depending on a number of desired properties. The surfactant may improve wetting of the salt coating solution on a hydrophobic support member (e.g., 102, 202). In one embodiment, when the support member is hydrophobic, the composition of the salt-based coating solution requires one or more surfactants for stable salt-based coating. However, when the support member is hydrophilic, the surfactant may be an optional component of the salt coating solution. In one embodiment, a mixture of different surfactants may be used in the salt coating solution to achieve a plurality of desired properties.

Various surfactants may be used in the salt coating solution, and a number of examples include: ionic (e.g., cationic, anionic, zwitterionic) surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and biologically derived surfactants. Specific examples of the plurality of surfactants may include, but are not limited to: chemical/physical, modified/unmodified polysorbates (e.g., TWEEN (TWEEN) TM-20) and amphiphilic biomolecules (peptides, proteins).

Without limitation, the content of the surfactant may vary between 0 and 5 v/v%. When the support member is hydrophobic, a plurality of higher concentrations of surfactant and salt are preferred to form a continuous salt-like coating and a thick salt-like coating, respectively. However, when the support member is hydrophobic, the amount of the salt and/or the surfactant is preferably reduced to form a discontinuous salt crystal coating. In the case where the support member is hydrophilic, it is not necessary to have the surfactant in the salt-based coating solution, but a small amount of surfactant may still be added to the salt-based coating solution to enhance coating or accelerate the pathogen inactivation process.

The support member may be hydrophobic, hydrophilic or amphiphilic. In one embodiment, the support member is fabricated from one or more of a plurality of hydrophobic materials, such as: polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane, and polyamide. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic material is polypropylene (PP). In one embodiment, the support member is made of one or more hydrophilic materials. In one embodiment, the support member may be made of a plurality of hydrophilic plant fibers. In one embodiment, the support member may be made of natural or synthetic fibers. In one embodiment, the support member may be made of one or more feathers. The support member may be a porous material that allows air to pass through. In one embodiment, the support member is a porous material having a specific pore or mesh size, fiber diameter, layer thickness that can filter particulate matter. The particulate matter may comprise microscopic solids, liquid droplets, oil droplets, or mixtures thereof suspended in air. In one embodiment, the particulate material is an aerosol containing airborne biological agents, such as: viruses, bacteria, fungi. In one embodiment, the thickness, pore size, density/size of salt crystals, the thickness of the salt coating, and the number of multiple salt coating fabric layers used to prepare the pathogen inactivating fabric, fiber diameter, each woven or non-woven layer, may be controlled to meet the multiple specific performance requirements, such as: air permeability and filtration efficiency.

A plurality of conventional surgical masks and a plurality of N95 respiratory protection devices have a three-layer structure comprising: an inner layer, a middle layer and an outer layer. The inner layer of spunbond was held in contact with the face and helped to support the mask, the middle layer of meltblown served as the primary filtration unit, and the outer layer of spunbond provided external structural protection. A number of suitable fiber materials are available including polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane and polyamide. However, due to the lower cost, multiple non-woven fabrics made of multiple PP fibers are commonly used. In one embodiment, a plurality of commercially available spunbond fabric layers with large apertures can be used to produce a plurality of salt-coated pathogen-inactivating layers without the use of a meltblown intermediate layer. Multiple layers of spunbond fabric can be stacked and coated with salt and used as a single body. Alternatively, a separately prepared salt coating layer may be stacked to form a multi-layered structure. Multiple salt-coated spunbond layers can be used as an active filtration layer. As the number of the plurality of spunbond layers increases, the size of the salt crystals/thickness of the salt coating and the filtering efficiency will increase, but the air permeability will decrease.

In one embodiment, the support member may be an air filter comprising a conventional air filter, such as: a mist, fog, smoke, mist, gas, vapor, spray, and gas-borne aerosol filter, such that the support member may remove contaminants from the air stream passing through the air filter by filtration.

The shape of the support member is not particularly limited. In one embodiment, the support member may be a fiber (e.g., 102, 202) or a coating. In one embodiment, the support member may be a membrane.

The support member may be a layered structure. In one embodiment, the support member has only one layer. In one embodiment, the support member comprises a plurality of layers.

Fig. 3 shows a multilayer structure 300, the multilayer structure 300 comprising a plurality of layers 302, the layers 302 formed, for example, from: layer 304, layer 306, layer 308, layer 310 and layer 312. It is understood that the plurality of layers 302 may include more or less than five (5) layers without any particular limitation. That is, the number of layers may be any positive integer greater than one (1), such as: 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. In one embodiment, the plurality of layers 302 includes only two layers. In one embodiment, the plurality of layers 302 includes only three layers. In one embodiment, the plurality of layers 302 includes only four layers.

For example: the layer 308 may be the pathogen inactivating fibrous material (e.g., 100 as shown in fig. 1A-1D or 200 as shown in fig. 2A-2D). The pathogen-inactivating fibrous material comprises a plurality of salt crystals or a salt crystal coating layer. It should be understood that any one or more of the plurality of layers 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 may include the pathogen inactivating fibrous material. It is to be understood that the multilayer structure 300 may comprise a plurality of pathogen-inactivating fibrous materials, wherein the plurality of pathogen-inactivating fibrous materials are of the same type or of different types. It should be understood that each layer of the structure 300 may be comprised of a single salt or a plurality of salts. It should be understood that the various layers in structure 300 may have the same type of salt or different types of salts. For example: there may be one structure made of four stacked structures, for example: three pathogen inactivation layers and one protective layer). One of the plurality of pathogen-inactivating layers may have a plurality of different types of salts (e.g., type a, type B, and type C salts), wherein each of the type a, type B, and type C salts is one or more organic salts, one or more inorganic salts, or a combination of organic and inorganic salts.

Each of the plurality of layers 306 and 310 may independently be a protective layer or a particulate air filter layer, the protective layer being a layer that blocks fluids and solid particles and protects the pathogen inactivated fibrous material from mechanical tearing and abrasion. The air particle filtering layer is a layer body capable of filtering a plurality of air particles. In one embodiment, the layer 306 is a protective layer. In one embodiment, the layer 306 is the air particle filter layer. In one embodiment, the layer 310 is the protection layer. In one embodiment, the layer 310 is the air particle filter layer. In one embodiment, the layer 308 is the pathogen inactivating fibrous material and the plurality of layers 306 and 310 are the plurality of protective layers. In one embodiment, the layer 308 is the pathogen inactivating fibrous material and the plurality of layers 306 and 310 are the plurality of air particle filtration layers.

Each of the outer layers 304 and 312 may be independently a protective layer. Preferably, the plurality of outer layers 304 and 312 are protective layers, although each of the plurality of outer layers 304 and 312 may also be the air particulate filter layer or the pathogen inactivating fibrous material.

The material used for the protective layer may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, preferably hydrophobic. The material for the protective layer may include, but is not limited to, synthetic fibers. In one embodiment, the material of the protective layer is a polypropylene (PP) microfiber. In one embodiment, the material of the protective layer is Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In one embodiment, the plurality of outer layers 304 and 312 are both hydrophobic, providing protection to the pathogen inactivation layer. The arrangement of the pathogen-inactivating layer sandwiched between two hydrophobic layers may also increase the adsorption rate of multiple pathogenic aerosols on the functionalized inner layer.

In one embodiment, the multilayer structure 300 has a plurality of outer layers configured to prevent multiple macrocontaminants or multiple fluids and protect the salt functionalized or coated air filtration layer with smaller mesh size.

Without any limitation, the filter device 300 may be any air filter device, including but not limited to: for example: masks, respiratory protection gear, air filters, and the like. The salt-coated device 300 may be any sterilized fabric product including, but not limited to: for example: a hand sanitizer, stain removal garments, antimicrobial wipes, hoods, gowns, aprons, boots, gloves, and the like.

In one embodiment, the filtering device 300 is a mask. In one embodiment, the filter device 300 is a surgical mask. In one embodiment, the filter device 300 is a respiratory protection device. In one embodiment, the filter device 300 is a hand sanitizer. In one embodiment, the filter device 300 is a stain release garment. In one embodiment, the filter apparatus 300 is personal protective equipment. In one embodiment, the filtration device is a biological laboratory air filter. In one embodiment, the filter device 300 may be a passenger compartment air filter, including a passenger compartment air filter. In one embodiment, the filtering device 300 may be a house supplied air (house-supplied) air filter.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate a mask 400 having a pathogen-inactivating layer or a multi-layer structure comprising the pathogen-inactivating layer, according to one embodiment. The mask 400 includes a face piece 402 and ear straps 404a, 404b, the face piece 402 being configured to cover a nose and mouth of a wearer, the ear straps 404a, 404b being configured to wrap around ears of the wearer to support the position of the face piece 402 when worn. In one embodiment, some masks or respiratory protection devices may have additional fabric to minimize leakage of the face seal. In one embodiment, the additional fabric may include, but is not limited to: a plurality of gaps between the inner layer of the nasal mask, the oral mask and/or the oral mask/respiratory protection device and the face. The concept of a plurality of salt-coated fibers for pathogen inactivation is not limited to only the primary structure of the mask/respiratory protection gear, but is also limited to a plurality of additional components made from a plurality of fabrics for preventing leakage of the face seal.

Fig. 4A shows a pathogenic aerosol 406 being adsorbed onto the face mask 402 by inhalation. Fig. 4B shows a pathogenic aerosol 406 being adsorbed to the face mask 402 by exhalation. When the pathogenic aerosol 406 is dried due to recrystallization of the salt crystals in the facepiece 402, the plurality of pathogens in the pathogenic aerosol 406 are inactivated and become a plurality of inactivated pathogens 408.

The pathogenic aerosol 406 may be a plurality of airborne droplets whose propagation may be divided into three modes depending on the post-vaporization aerodynamic size (da): for airborne propagation of respirable droplet nuclei with da <10 micrometers (μm), for droplet propagation with respirable large droplets with 10< da <100 micrometers, and for contact propagation with large droplets with da >100 micrometers. The respirable droplet nuclei and the respirable large droplets are known to infect the alveolar region and the upper respiratory tract, respectively. However, since the plurality of sizes of the plurality of large droplets may decrease over time due to evaporation, air or droplet propagation is feasible for the plurality of large droplets. Thus, regardless of the physical size of the plurality of airborne droplets, "plurality of airborne droplets" is also included within the scope of "aerosol". In one embodiment, the pathogenic aerosol 406 may have an aerodynamic size (da) of 1 nm to 200 microns. The large droplets that settle and deposit on the surface can be a source of contact propagation in both personal and public places. Various embodiments disclosed herein may be used to deactivate a plurality of small aerosols (da <5 microns), for example: a respirably transmitted virus responsible for respiratory transmission, but primarily responsible for contact with transmitted large infectious droplets (e.g., bacteria on surgical masks and pathogens on any surface).

The pathogenic aerosol 406 may contain pathogens from an aqueous solution (e.g., aerosols), air, or any part of the body. In one embodiment, the pathogenic aerosol 406 may contain several different pathogens. In one embodiment, the pathogenic aerosol 406 may further comprise a plurality of secondary components. The plurality of minor components include, but are not limited to: enzymes, proteins and biomolecules, for example: a peptide. Specific examples include, but are not limited to: for example: mucin, lysozyme and lactoferrin. Without any limitation, the plurality of minor components may also be other types of organic particles, a plurality of inorganic particles or ions thereof, heavy metal particles or ions thereof, and dust. The width of the plurality of minor components may be equal to or less than the size of the pathogenic aerosol 406.

Without limitation, a pathogen in the pathogenic aerosol 406 may include one or more of, for example: viruses, bacteria, fungi, proteins and nucleotides. Such viruses include, but are not limited to: varicella, measles, smallpox, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus (i.e., middle east respiratory syndrome, severe acute respiratory syndrome), ebola virus, parainfluenza virus, smallpox virus, measles, african swine fever virus, and varicella zoster virus.

The plurality of bacteria may include, but are not limited to: acute otitis media, for example: haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis (Moraxella catarrhalis), and the like; diphtheria, for example: corynebacterium diphtheriae; refuge legionnaires' diseases, for example: legionella pneumophila; pertussis, for example: bordetella pertussis; qhot, for example: a bacterium of the species Coxiella beijerii; streptococcal pharyngitis; scarlet fever, for example: streptococcus pyogenes; tuberculosis, for example: mycobacterium tuberculosis; chlamydia pneumonia, for example: chlamydomonas pneumoniae, chlamydomonas psittaci, chlamydomonas trachomatis; haemophilus pneumonia, for example: haemophilus influenzae; klebsiella pneumoniae; mycoplasma pneumonia; pneumococcal pneumonia, for example: streptococcus pneumoniae, pseudomonas pneumoniae, such as: pseudomonas aeruginosa; anthrax, for example: bacillus anthracis; methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus; clostridium difficile and the like

The fungi may include, but are not limited to: cryptococcosis (cryptococcus neoformans and cryptococcus gatherens), fungal pneumonia (histoplasma capsulatum, coccidioidomycosis immitis, blastomyces dermatitidis, paracoccidioides brasiliensis, sporomyces schenckii, cryptococcosis neoformans, candida, aspergillus species, mucor species), and the like.

Other examples of airborne pathogens in aerosols include, but are not limited to: escherichia coli, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, nucleic acids (e.g., DNA, RNA), amino acid-based biomolecules (peptides, enzymes, proteins), polymers, and the like.

It should be understood that the plurality of airborne pathogens may include: natural mutants, mimetics of amino acid or amino acid functional groups, and genetically engineered amino acid-based biomolecules/biological derivatives and variants.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a respiratory protection article 500 having a pathogen-inactivating fibrous material or a multilayer structure comprising said pathogen-inactivating fibrous material. The respiratory protection apparatus 500 has a face piece 502 configured to cover a wearer's nose and mouth, two filter cartridges 504a, 504b, and a headband 506 configured to wrap around the wearer's head to support the position of the face piece 502 when worn. The respiratory protection apparatus 500 is shown as a full face respiratory protection apparatus in which the facial component 502 covers the entire face, including the eyes, mouth, and nose. However, in another embodiment, the respiratory protection apparatus 500 is a half-face respiratory protection apparatus, wherein the facial component 502 may cover only a lower half of the face, including the nose and mouth of the wearer. The half-face respiratory protection device is worn in a plurality of environments where a plurality of air pollutants are non-toxic to eyes. Each of the two cartridges 504a, 504b has the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material or the multi-layered structure comprising the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material (e.g., 100, 200, 300) described above and shown in fig. 1-3.

Fig. 6 shows schematic views of an air filtration device 600 according to another embodiment, the air filtration device 600 being configured to fit to an air supply device to inactivate a pathogenic aerosol. The air filter device 600 may be configured to be fitted into, for example, a furnace (pressure air supply system) for supplying air in a room. The air filtration device 600 may be configured to fit into a filter component of a passenger compartment, for example. The air filtration device 600 includes a frame 602 for holding one or more layers of filter material 604, wherein one or more of the layer(s) 604 includes a pathogen-inactivating fibrous material or a multi-layered structure including the pathogen-inactivating fibrous material (e.g., 100, 200, 300) described above and shown in fig. 1-3.

Fig. 7 shows an electron micrograph image of a fibrous material 700 for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, the fibrous material 700 comprising a plurality of sodium chloride (NaCl) crystals 702 coated on polypropylene (PP) microfibers 704, according to one embodiment. The plurality of NaCl crystals 702 is comprised of one crystal comprising TWEEN^TM20 (a surfactant) to enhance wetting of the salt solution on a surface of the hydrophobic PP microfibers 704. A number of additional exemplary embodiments are further illustrated in fig. 8-9 and described below.

Fig. 8A shows an SEM and EDX mapping image 800 of a hydrophobic fibrous material 802, without any salt crystals on the surface of the hydrophobic fibers of the hydrophobic fibrous material 802. In contrast, fig. 8B shows SEM and EDX mapping images of the same hydrophobic fibrous material 804 as shown in fig. 8A, except that the fibrous material 806 shown in fig. 8B is coated with a uniform layer of NaCl crystal. Multiple surface hydrophilicities of the fibrous material 802 and the NaCl-coated fibrous material 806 were studied by measuring multiple contact angles of multiple aerosols, and the results are shown in fig. 9A and 9B, respectively. Fig. 9A shows an optical microscope image 900 of an aerosol 902 on the fiber material 802. The aerosol 902 has a contact angle θ of 133.0 ± 4.7 ° on the fibrous material 802_C. In contrast, fig. 9B shows an optical microscope image 904 of an aerosol (not shown) on the NaCl coated fibrous material 806. As can be seen in fig. 9B, there was no observable aerosol on the NaCl material 806, indicating that the aerosol was adsorbed by the surface of the NaCl coated fibrous material 806, thus the aerosol had a θ on the NaCl coated fibrous material 806_CA contact angle of 0 deg.. The results indicate that the NaCl-crystal coating layer (in this case, applying a surfactant) can change the properties of the surface of the hydrophobic fibrous material 802 from highly hydrophobic (θ)_C133.0 ± 4.7 °) to be completely hydrophilic (θ)_C0 deg. and). In addition, the hydrophilic nature of the NaCl crystal coating can significantly improve the adhesion of an aerosol to an uncoated fibrous material 802 relative to the NaCl coated fibrous material 806.

Various embodiments of NaCl-coated pathogen-inactivating filters were prepared to interact with an uncoated fibrous material (i.e., bare filter or filter in this specification)_{Air conditioner}(Filter_bare) A comparison is made. Filters in these tests_{Air conditioner}Is made from polypropylene microfibers.

Through the use in filters_{Air conditioner}The same bare filter is coated or impregnated with a salt coating solution to obtain the pathogen inactivation filter. Thus, the pathogen inactivation filter is also referred to as salt crystal coated filter in this specification. The salt coating solution was prepared according to a method of dissolving NaCl in Deionized (DI) water at a temperature of 90 ℃ under stirring at 400 revolutions per minute (rpm) to obtain a NaCl solution, and then filtering the NaCl solution using a filter having a pore size of 0.22 micrometers. TWEEN TM 20(1 v/v%, Fisher scientific) was then added to the filtered NaCl solution at room temperature and at 400rpmStirring for 5 minutes to obtain the salt coating solution.

The pathogen inactivation filter is obtained according to the method, i.e. the filter coated with the plurality of salt crystals. The multiple bare filters obtained according to the above method were pre-wetted in about 600 microliters of the salt coating solution by incubation at room temperature overnight. The bare filters were then deposited in 0, 100, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 microliters of the salt coating solution in petri dishes, respectively, and then dried in an oven at 37 ℃ for 1 day. The obtained pathogen-inactivated or salt-coated filters are respectively called filters_Wet(Filter_wet) Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +100 microliter}(Filter_wet+100μl) Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +300 microliter}(Filter_wet+300μl) Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}(Filter_wet+600μl) Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +900 microliter}(Filter_wet+900μl) And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}(Filter_wet+1200μl)。

FIG. 10 illustrates a coating per unit area (milligrams per square centimeter, mg/cm) on a material according to one embodiment²) A graph 1000 of a relationship between a dosage of a plurality of NaCl crystals and a volume (microliters) of NaCl coating solution used to coat the material. A quantity (mg/cm) of NaCl crystals per unit area coated on a supporting member²，W_{Salt (salt)}(W_salt)1002 with a coating for coating the support member (V)_{Salt (salt)}(V_salt) A volume (microliters) 1004 of a NaCl coating solution is a linear relationship represented by a line 1006. The line 1006 may return to an equation: w_{Salt (salt)}＝3.011+0.013×V_sat(n-7)). Therefore, the amount of NaCl per unit area on the support member can be easily controlled by changing the volume of the NaCl coating solution used to coat the support member, considering that the thickness of the support member is constant. The salt crystal coated support member may be further exposed to a spray process to form another layer of salt crystalAnd (3) a body.

The various embodiments of the various pathogen inactivation materials were tested for various filtration efficiencies for various viral aerosols and the various results are shown in fig. 11. Fig. 11 illustrates a relationship 1100 showing multiple filtration efficiencies 1102 of multiple pathogen inactivation filters at different pressures 1104. Various filters were tested for multiple filtration efficiencies against multiple aerosols of 2.5 to 4 microns containing H1N1 pandemic influenza virus (a/california/04/2009, abbreviated CA/04) at multiple different environmental pressures. As shown in fig. 11, the filter_{Air conditioner}(uncoated fibrous material) 1106 has a filtration efficiency of close to 0%, indicating that the filter is a solid filter_{Air conditioner}No significant level of permeability to the virus was shown at pressures of 3kPa to 17 kPa. In sharp contrast, the plurality of NaCl crystals coated filters comprises a filter_Wet1108. Filter_{Wet +300 microliter}1110. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1112. Filter_{Wet +900 microliter}1114 and a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}1116 at pressures ranging from 3kPa to 17kPa, a number of substantially improved filtration efficiencies are shown. In particular, the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1112 exhibits a plurality of filtration efficiencies of about 43 to 70% at the plurality of pressures of 3 to 17 kPa. The filter_{Wet +900 microliter}1114 exhibit a filtration efficiency of about 60 to 70% at a pressure of 3 to 17 kPa. The filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}1116 consistently exhibited about 85% filtration efficiency at the stated pressures of 3kPa to 17kPa (one-way ANOVA, P ═ 0.85). The enhanced filtration efficiency of the multiple NaCl crystal coated filter may be explained by the improved surface hydrophilicity of the multiple NaCl crystal coated filter, resulting in the adhesion of the multiple aerosols to the multiple NaCl crystal coated filter being greater than to the bare filter.

To investigate the multiple effects of the filtration efficiency on the protective effect of the multiple filters, multiple IN vivo experiments were performed using multiple mice with multiple osmotic doses of the H1N1 virus infected Intranasally (IN) at respiratory pressure (-10 kPa), and multiple results are shown IN fig. 12-15.

Fig. 12 shows a graph 1200 illustrating a plurality of weight changes 1202 in a plurality of mice after infection with a plurality of osmotic doses of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter versus a time 1204 post infection. The graph 1200 includes a plurality of curves CA/09 stock solution, aerosol, filter_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Said plurality of curve filters_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Respectively show infection from the filter_{Air conditioner}The filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Multiple mice of the recovered aerosolized CA/09 virus of (1) were subjected to multiple weight changes. The multiple curves CA/09 bulk and aerosol show multiple weight changes in multiple mice infected with a consistent lethal dose of CA/09 virus and aerosolized CA/09 virus, respectively. Thus, the filter_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Body weight was recovered 10 days after infection. In contrast, filters_{Air conditioner}Showed rapid weight loss, corresponding to that of CA/09 stock solution and Aerosol, which is similar to the filter described in FIG. 11_{Air conditioner}The 0% filtration efficiency observed in (a) is consistent.

Referring to fig. 13, a graph 1300 shows survival rates 1302 of mice infected with an osmotic dose of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter versus time 1304 after infection. The graph 1400 includes a plurality of curves CA/09 stock solution, Aerosol, filter_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}As can be seen, the plurality of curvilinear filters_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Shows 100% survival rate, indicating infection from the filter_{Air conditioner}The filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}The multiple mice with recovered virus had 100% survival. In contrast, the curves CA/09 stock solution, Aerosol and filter_{Air conditioner}After about 11 days post infection, a survival rate of 0% was shown, indicating that infection was from the filter_{Air conditioner}The recovered CA/09 virus, aerosolized CA/09 virus and multiple mice of the virus all died within about 11 days after infection.

Fig. 14 shows a histogram 1400 showing titers 1402 of pneumovirus in mice at day 4 post infection with osmotic doses of the virus on pathogen inactivation filters. The histogram 1500 includes a plurality of columns of CA/09 dope 1404, aerogel 1406, filters_{Air conditioner}1408. Filter_Wet1410. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1412 and filter_Wet1414. As can be seen, the plurality of cylindrical filters_Wet1410. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1412 and filter_Wet1414 showed that various titers of pneumovirus were significantly lower than CA/09 stock 1404, aerosol 1406 and filter_{Air conditioner}1408(t assay, P)<0.005). The multiple results indicate infection from the filter_{Air conditioner}The filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_WetThe titers of the pneumovirus of the mice of the aerosolized CA/09 virus recovered in (a) have been significantly lower than the titers of the pneumovirus infected from the filter_{Air conditioner}In the collected CA/09 virus, aerosolized CA/09 virus and aerosolized CA/09 virus, a plurality of titer levels of pneumovirus of a plurality of mice were observed, and the plurality of cylindrical CA/09 stock solutions 1404, the aerosol 1406 and the filter were observed_{Air conditioner}1408 showed severe pulmonary infection 4 days after infection.

Figure 15 shows a bar graph 1500 showing pneumonia cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN- γ) levels 1502 after multiple mice were infected with multiple osmotic doses of virus on a pathogen inactivation filter. The histogram 1500 includes: natural 1504, CA/09 stock 1506, aerosol 1508,Filter_{Air conditioner}1510. Filter_Wet1512. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1514 and filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}1516. The cylindrical native group 1504 shows IFN- γ levels in the plurality of native mice not infected with the virus, used as a blank control group. The plurality of cylindrical CA/09 stostes 1506, the aerosol 1508, and the filter_{Air conditioner}1510 show infection from the filter respectively_{Air conditioner}Multiple IFN- γ levels in multiple mice of the recovered CA/09 virus, aerosolized CA/09 virus, and aerosolized CA/09 virus. The plurality of filters_Wet1512. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1514 and filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}1516 it shows separately the infection from the filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}IFN-gamma levels in a plurality of mice of the recovered aerosolized CA/09 virus. As can be seen, the plurality of cylindrical filters_Wet1512. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1514 and filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}1516 shows a plurality of IFN- γ levels equivalent to the cylindrical native 1504, indicating that the plurality of mice infected with a plurality of viruses recovered from the plurality of salt crystal-coated filters have IFN- γ levels that are nearly identical to native mice that were not infected with the viruses. As can also be seen, the plurality of cylindrical CA/09 bulk liquids 1506, aerosol 1508, filters_{Air conditioner}1510 are shown to be significantly higher than the filter_Wet1512. Filter_{Wet +600 microliter}1514. Filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}1516 and native group 1504. These results indicate that the multiple salt crystal coated filters can effectively provide adequate protection against multiple lethal viral aerosols.

Furthermore, the multiple effects of the salt crystal coating on the virus in the multiple aerosols adsorbed on the multiple filters were studied by a virus stability test in vitro characterized by measuring Hemagglutinin Activity (HA) and multiple virus titers at the same concentration as the lethal dose. The conformational stability of a plurality of antigenic proteins was characterized by measuring intrinsic fluorescence using a viral suspension of 0.1 milligram per milliliter (mg/ml). The same concentration of virus recovered from the multiple filters was used, and in the case of multiple bare filters, multiple virus aerosols were exposed without pressure due to 100% penetration of the multiple virus aerosols.

Referring to fig. 16, a graph 1600 shows the relative HA activity 1602 of the virus in multiple virus aerosols on a pathogen inactivation filter at incubation time 1604. The graph 1600 includes a plurality of curve filters_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Showing the virus in the filter, respectively_{Air conditioner}The filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}The plurality of relative HA activities. As can be seen, the plurality of cylindrical filters_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}A number of almost 0% HA activities were shown after 5 minutes absorption onto the multiple NaCl crystal coated filters. These results indicate that the virus on the plurality of salt crystal coated filters completely lost its HA activity five (5) minutes after being absorbed onto the plurality of salt crystal coated filters. This in combination with the filter_{Air conditioner}The above virus had only 8% loss of HA activity in sharp contrast, as described for the curve filter_{Air conditioner}As shown. The plurality of data indicates that the virus becomes highly unstable on the plurality of NaCl crystals coated filters. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the rapid loss of HA activity and viral infectivity on the multiple salt crystal coated filters can be attributed to the NaCl crystal coating. That is, the plurality of NaCl-coated filters may significantly inactivate viruses adsorbed on the plurality of NaCl-coated filters.

The stability of the multiple NaCl crystal coated filters to viruses was further demonstrated by measuring the virus titer relative to the incubation time of the virus on the filterInfluence of sex. A plurality of viral aerosols were adsorbed or incubated on the plurality of filters for 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and 60 minutes. Then, the plurality of titers of the plurality of viruses in the viral aerosol was measured, and the plurality of results are shown in fig. 17. A histogram 1700 shows the adsorbed or incubated in the filter_{Air conditioner}The filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}The viral titer of the multiple viral aerosols on 1702 for some time 1704(5 min, 15 min, and 60 min).

As can be seen, at said incubation time of 5 minutes, the filter_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Display and the filter_{Air conditioner}Compared with negligible levels of various viral titers (ttest, P)<0.001)。

At an incubation time of 15 minutes, the filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Display and the filter_{Air conditioner}Compared to the level of negligible multiple virus titers (ttest, P assay)<0.001)。

At an incubation time of 60 minutes, the filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}It appears that undetectable viral titers are shown, indicated by the symbol "", in the histogram 1700. The plurality of results indicate that at the incubation time of 60 minutes, the plurality of aerosolized viruses on the plurality of NaCl crystal-coated filters were all inactivated. On the contrary, in the filter_{Air conditioner}The aerosolized virus of (a) still exhibits a viral titer exceeding 100 spot forming units/microgram (pfu/mug) within the incubation time of 60 minutes.

The data show that the virus was severely damaged on the multiple NaCl crystal coated filters even when incubated for 5 minutes. From microscopic analysis, the drying time of the plurality of aerosols was about 3 minutes, so it can be concluded that the physical damage of the virus at 5 minutes was due to drying-induced salt crystallization.

Fig. 18 shows a histogram 1800 showing the relative intensities 1802 of the native fluorescence 1804 and nile red fluorescence 1806 of the virus recovered from multiple pathogen inactivation filters. The histogram 1800 includes: the natural fluorescence test group 1804 is used as a control group and a filter_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetAnd the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}(ii) a And a control group, filter, for the nile red fluorescence test group 1806_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetAnd the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}. As can be seen, for the native fluorescence test group 1804, the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}Exhibits a plurality of cylindrical filters_{Air conditioner}And significantly lower levels of native fluorescence in the control group. For the nile red fluorescence test group 1806, the filter was used_{Wet +600 microliter}Exhibits more than the plurality of columnar slave filters_{Air conditioner}And significantly lower levels of nile red fluorescence of the virus recovered in the control group. The plurality of results indicate that virus is being removed from the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}The ratio of the virus recovered in (1) is compared with that in (2) from the filter_{Air conditioner}And significantly lower levels of native fluorescence and nile red fluorescence of said virus recovered from said native virus. The plurality of results further indicates the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}Can cause a serious conformational change in a plurality of viral antigenic proteins and destabilize the viral envelope.

The effect of the osmotic pressure on the virus stability during drying of the plurality of pathogenic aerosols was also investigated. And in said filter_{Air conditioner}In the plurality of aerosols as compared to the plurality of viruses in the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}The plurality of viruses collected in the plurality of aerosols on exhibits a visible morphological transformation attributable to the high salt/surfactant concentration and simultaneous osmotic pressure, which destabilizes multiple viruses. The significant virus destabilization of the plurality of salt crystals coated fibers is attributable to an increase inOsmotic pressure, electrostatic interaction, and evaporation-induced recrystallization of the salt. In order to verify the destabilization of the above viruses by the plurality of salt crystal-coated filters, the method comprises the steps of_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}The virus of (2) was incubated for 60 minutes on the filter to infect a plurality of mice for in vivo studies, and the results are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.

Fig. 19 shows a graph 1900 showing multiple body weight changes 1902 of multiple mice infected with the virus incubated for 60 minutes on multiple pathogen inactivation filters versus time post infection. The graph 1900 includes a plurality of curves CA/09 stock solutions, filters_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}. The curve CA/09 bulk shows the multiple body weight changes of multiple mice directly infected with the aerosolized CA/09 virus. The plurality of curve filters_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Each show infection with a secondary filter_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}The plurality of body weight changes of a plurality of mice recovered with the virus. As can be seen, the plurality of curvilinear filters_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Shows an increased body weight after infection and an increase of about 5 to 10% in body weight on day 9 after infection. In contrast, the curve CA/09 bulk revealed a rapid decrease in body weight loss after infection, and multiple mice died even 6 days after infection.

Figure 20 illustrates a histogram 2000 showing pneumoviral titers 2002 of CA/09 virus before and after mice were infected with the salt crystal coated filter incubated for 60 minutes. The histogram 2000 includes a filter for the CA/09 stock solution_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}A plurality of columns. The column for the CA/09 stock solution shows the pneumovirus titer of mice infected with the aerosolized CA/09 virus before incubation on the salt crystal coated filter, which was used as a control group. The plurality of cylindrical filters_{Air conditioner}Filter, and method for manufacturing the same_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Respectively show infection from the filter_{Air conditioner}The filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Multiple pneumovirus titers from multiple mice of recovered CA/09 virus. As can be seen, the described filter_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Multiple columns of (a) showed no detectable pneumovirus titers. On the contrary, for filters_{Air conditioner}Said column of (a) shows about 4.0 x 10⁵PFU/ml pneumovirus titer. For further comparison, the column for the CA/09 stock solution showed greater than 8.0X 10⁵PFU/ml pneumovirus titer. The data demonstrate that the salt crystal coated filters have a number of significant advantages over empty filters in personal protection because the salt crystal coated filters can destroy the virus adsorbed thereon by the salt recrystallization process.

Broad spectrum protection of multiple subtypes of multiple viral aerosols by the multiple salt crystal coated filters was evaluated by studying the in vivo lethal infectivity of the permeated virus and infectivity of the virus collected on the filter during in vitro filtration, and multiple results are shown in figures 21 and 22.

Fig. 21 shows a graph 2100 illustrating a plurality of weight changes 2102 for a plurality of mice infected with an osmotic dose of the virus on a plurality of pathogen inactivation filters versus time 2104 post infection. The graph 2100 includes for VN/04 stock solution, PR/34 stock solution, filter_{Wet +600 microliter}: VN/042210 and filter_{Wet +600 microliter}: PR/34. The data curves for VN/04 stock solution and PR/34 stock solution show the body weight changes of mice infected with the lethal dose of aerosolized VN/04 and PR/34 viruses, respectively. For filters_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curve VN/04 shows the passage through the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}(ii) VN/04 virus, to the body weight change of the plurality of mice infected. For filters_{Wet +600 microliter}: PR/34 virus was shown to pass through the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}Multiple osmotic doses of the PR/34 virus of (a) to the body weight change of multiple mice infected. Thus, it can be seen that the filter is used for the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}The plurality of data curves of (a): VN/04 and filter_{Wet +600 microliter}: PR/34 indicates no weight loss. In contrast, the plurality of data curves 2208 for VN/04 stock solution and PR/34 stock solution show rapid weight loss after infection.

FIG. 22 shows a graph 2200 showing the filter_{Air conditioner}The filter_WetThe filter_{Wet +600 microliter}And the filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Multiple viral titers 2202 of aerosolized CA/09H1N12204, PR/34H1N12206, and VN/04H5N 12208 incubated above. As can be seen, in the filter_{Air conditioner}Aerosol CA/09H1N12204 above showed a viral titer of 80 pfu/. mu.g, but at the filter_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Aerosolized CA/09H1N12204 above showed almost 0 viral titers. Similarly, in the filter_{Air conditioner}Aerosolized PR/34H1N12206 above had a viral titer of 45 pfu/. mu.g, but at the filter_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}Aerosolized PR/34H1N12206 on (g) had almost 0 viral titer. Also in the filter_{Air conditioner}Aerosolized VN/04H5N 12208 above showed a viral titer of 25 pfu/. mu.g, but at the filter_WetFilter, and method for manufacturing the same_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +1200 microliter}The aerosolized VN/04H5N 12208 above had almost 0 virus titers. A plurality of saidThe data demonstrate that the plurality of salt crystal coated filters can inactivate a plurality of viruses without being affected by the plurality of virus subtypes, indicating that the plurality of salt crystal coated filters can inactivate a plurality of viruses in a non-specific manner.

Testing the salt under a plurality of harsh environmental conditionsThe stability of the crystal coating and a number of results are shown in fig. 23 and 24. Fig. 23 shows a graph 2300 illustrating a plurality of weight changes 2302 for a plurality of mice versus a time 2304 post infection. The graph 2300 includes a filter for the CA/09 dope_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curve for the CA/09 stock solution shows multiple weight changes of multiple mice infected with the aerosolized CA/09 virus as a control group. For filters_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curve of (a) shows infection with a filter stored under ambient conditions_{Wet +600 microliter}Weight change of multiple mice of the osmotic dose of aerosolized CA/09 virus incubated above. For filters_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curves of (a) show that a plurality of mice are infected with a filter stored at 37 ℃ and 70% Relative Humidity (RH) for 1 day_{Wet +600 microliter}Weight change of the osmotic dose of aerosolized CA/09 virus incubated above. Thus, it can be seen that the filter is used for the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curve of (a) shows a corresponding for a filter_{Wet +600 microliter}A plurality of weight changes of the data curve of (a) indicating the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}Is stable for at least 1 day at 37 ℃ and 0% Relative Humidity (RH). Even after 15 days of incubation, the plurality of salt-like crystals were found to remain in the filter despite changes in the grain orientation due to recrystallization_{Wet +600 microliter}The above. Thus, the stability of the salt crystal coating is not affected by high temperature and humidity, thereby eliminating any concern for the stability of long term storage and use under the plurality of environmental conditions.

Figure 24 shows a graph 2400 showing survival 2402 of multiple permeation doses of CA/09 virus on a pathogen inactivation filter before and after 1 day exposure at 37 ℃ and 70% RH versus time post infection for multiple mice. The graph 2400 includes a filter for a CA/09 dope_{Wet +600 microliter}And a filter_{Wet +600 microliter}A plurality of data curves. The data curve for the CA/09 stock solution shows the survival of multiple mice directly infected with a consistent lethal dose of aerosolized CA/09 virus as a control group. For filters_{Wet +600 microliter}Shows infection of the filter stored under ambient conditions_{Wet +600 microliter}The survival rate of a plurality of mice at an osmotic dose of CA/09 virus. For filters_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curves of (a) show that the filters infected with a 1 day incubation at 37 ℃ and 70% Relative Humidity (RH) were used_{Wet +600 microliter}The survival rate of a plurality of mice at an osmotic dose of CA/09 virus. Thus, it can be seen that the filter is used for the filter_{Wet +600 microliter}Is shown and used in a filter_{Wet +600 microliter}The data curve of (a) is the same 100% survival rate at 8 days post infection. In contrast, the data curve for the CA/09 stock showed less than 20% survival at 8 days post infection. The results show that the salt crystal coating guarantees protection even under severe environmental conditions, allowing the development of a long-term stable, versatile airborne pathogen denial system.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for making a pathogen-inactivating filtration material and a multilayer structure. The method 2500 is used to coat or impregnate a support member (e.g., a mesh, a fiber, a fabric (woven or non-woven), a coating, porous membranes, filter materials, an existing layer in an air filter, etc.) with salt crystals or one or more salt crystal coating layers. In one embodiment, the method 2500 is used to coat the entire outer surface of a plurality of fibrous materials with one or more types of salt-like crystals.

In step 2502, a support member, which may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, is coated with a salt coating solution to obtain a coated support member. In one embodiment, the support member is a non-woven spunbond or meltblown polypropylene (PP) fabric. In one embodiment, the support member is a porous membrane.

The salt coating solution includes an organic or inorganic salt (and/or ions thereof). In one embodiment, the salt coating solution may further include an additive. In one embodiment, the salt coating solution may further include a surfactant. If the coating surface of the support member is hydrophilic, one embodiment of the method uses a surfactant-free salt-based coating solution. In another embodiment, the method uses a salt-based coating solution containing a very small amount of surfactant. If the coating surface of the support member is hydrophobic, one embodiment of the method uses a salt coating solution containing a surfactant. The salt concentration in the salt coating solution may be a plurality of salt concentrations described in the present specification, but is not necessarily limited to the plurality of salt concentrations described in the present specification. The concentration of the salt may be adjusted to provide a continuous coating of salt-like crystals or discontinuous nano/micro salt-like crystals on the outer surface of the support member and to control a thickness or crystal size of the resulting coating of salt-like crystals.

In step 2504, the salt coated support member is dried to obtain a dried filter coated or impregnated with a plurality of salt crystals. The drying may be performed at room temperature or at an elevated temperature below the melting temperature of the support member. Producing said pathogen-inactivating filtration material at the end of said drying process.

In optional step 2506, the pathogen-inactivating filter material is installed in a multi-layer structure or an air filtration device (e.g., a mask, respiratory protection gear, cabin air purifier, building forced air filter, etc.)

Fig. 26 illustrates one embodiment of a manufacturing process 2600 for manufacturing a pathogen-inactivating filter material, the process 2600 being described in parts or steps, labeled A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H in fig. 26. Not all of the plurality of portions are necessary to complete the manufacturing process 2600 and the plurality of portions are repeatable. Generally, the process 2600 begins with step a; step B may then optionally be performed; followed by step C or D (if step C is taken, step D may be performed after step C); either of steps E, F or G may then be taken next; step H is then performed to obtain the finished pathogen inactivation filtration material having a salt coating. Each of the plurality of steps A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H is described in detail below.

Step A: starting with an empty filter material or support member (i.e. not coated with salt).

And B: alternatively, a plasma treatment process (glow discharge treatment) may be performed on the empty filter material, which increases surface hydrophilicity. A low pressure plasma may be used to modify the surfaces of the plurality of filters, which may include, but is not limited to: air, N₂、Ar、O₂And the like. In some embodiments, the plasma treatment allows for the elimination or reduction of the use of surfactants.

And C: removing a plurality of gas bubbles from the filter material or support member. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by a pre-wetting step in which bubbles are removed from the support member by soaking in a salt coating solution overnight. In another embodiment, the gas pockets are mechanically removed by gently smoothing the surfaces of the support member using a device having a flat surface or blade.

Step D: as an optional step, salt formulations may be applied directly to the surface of the support member (or the surface of the filter material) by spraying a salt formulation or applying droplets of the salt formulation. The droplet size of the coating solution may be 100 nm to 1 mm.

Step E, F, G: pre-wetted or sprayed filters may be dried in a back-cover container (E), in a mesh bottom container (F) or on a holder with open top and bottom (G) under ambient conditions or at elevated temperatures (below the melting temperature of the filter materials) to form the salt crystal coating on the filters. Different vessels, drying methods and conditions can be used to control the salt crystallization behavior and have a uniform salt coating on filters. In the case of drying in a closed bottom container, pre-wetted filters may be dried in the presence of a salt-based coating formulation having multiple different volumes. The advantage of the method is that an additional brine solution can be added to the container during drying of the filter, if desired, which in turn increases the amount of salt coated on the support member.

During the drying step, the filter vessel may be positioned on a shaking or rocking or rotating platform to induce uniform salt crystal formation on the support member. In one embodiment, the container may also be stationary without being subjected to motion, so that the pre-wetted or sprayed support member will dry on the flat bottom of the container.

In step G, the filter may be placed in a holder (described below and shown in fig. 27-28) may be loaded into a filter holder and rotated during drying.

In one embodiment, a pre-wetted or sprayed support member may be dried under an ambient condition or at an elevated temperature below the melting temperature of the support member to obtain the dried filter.

Step H: realizing a filtering material coated by salt. However, the product may be further exposed to step D (spray process) to form another layer of salt crystals (with the same salt or a different salt) on the plurality of ready-made salt-type coated filters.

Fig. 27 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 2700 for performing the drying step (G in fig. 26) according to one embodiment. Fig. 28 also shows a top view of a filter holder 2702 shown in fig. 27. The device 2700 is a rotator having a motor with a coupling portion 2704 for coupling to a holder 2702. The holder 2702 has an open top and an open bottom, and the inner surfaces 2706 are configured to hold salt coated filter materials 2708. When in operation, the apparatus 2700 rotates the holder 2702 about an axis 2710 to form a uniform salt crystal formation on the filter (or on the support member). The open top and open bottom can increase the rate of drying as compared to a fully closed bottom of a container. Since the top and bottom of the holder are open, the pre-wetted or sprayed support member is directly exposed to air, and this may accelerate the drying process. In one embodiment, the filter holder 2702 is configured to maximize evaporation of moisture from the filter.

It is contemplated that a plurality of different containers, holders, drying methods and conditions may be used to control the crystallization behavior (i.e., crystal size, orientation, morphology, etc.) of the salt in the pre-wetted or sprayed support member to achieve a uniform coating of salt-like crystals on the support member.

In some embodiments, the dried filter coated with salt crystals is used directly as a pathogen inactivation filter. In some embodiments, the filter-drier coated with salt crystals is placed on one or more porous coatings or membrane bodies to obtain a pathogen-inactivating filter. In one embodiment, a pathogen inactivation filter is obtained by sandwiching the dry filter coated with salt crystals between at least two hydrophobic coatings or membranes.

Fig. 29 shows a schematic view of a hand sanitizer 2900 illustrating the inactivation of multiple pathogens deposited on multiple hands. The hand sanitizer 2900 (e.g., a cloth) has a salt coating on a fiber surface, as shown in the enhanced image 2902. The salt coating dissolves when exposed to a plurality of pathogens adsorbed on the hand surface with a plurality of high humidity conditions and recrystallizes during drying, destroying the plurality of pathogens. At the same time, the dissolution of the salt coating increases the osmotic pressure and electrostatic interactions, leading to further destabilization of multiple pathogens. Thus, as shown in enhanced images 2904, 2906, the hand sanitizer 2900 deactivates pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, etc.) on a user's hand. In some embodiments, the salts spent on the fiber surfaces of the device 2900 may inactivate pathogens adsorbed on a dry hand surface by inducing denaturation of antigens and/or disruption of lipid envelopes when contacted with the pathogens by electrostatic interaction with the salt coating coated on the hand sanitizer 2900.

In another embodiment, the salt-coated fabric may be used as a plurality of sterilized fabric products, including: a hand sanitizer, stain removal garments, antimicrobial wipes, hood, gown, apron, boots, and gloves for personal infection control measures.

Multiple pathogenic aerosols and multiple pathogens in multiple high humidity environments are expected to be inactivated primarily by salt recrystallization. However, multiple pathogens adsorbed on dry surfaces or in multiple dry environments can be inactivated by direct interaction with the salt surface via electrostatic interactions.

The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms "a", "an", "the" and their plural forms are used to describe a component, ingredient or step and are not intended to exclude other components, ingredients, components or steps. The terms "comprises" or "comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated components, ingredients, or steps, but does not preclude or preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, ingredients, components, or steps.

Various aspects of the various embodiments disclosed in this specification are set forth below. It should be understood that any of the aspects may be combined with any other of the aspects.

Aspect 1: a material for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, the material comprising:

a supporting fiber layer; and

a salt crystal disposed on the support fiber layer.

Aspect 2: the material of aspect 1, wherein the salt crystal comprises an inorganic salt.

Aspect 3: the material of aspect 1, wherein the salt crystals comprise one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate, and ions thereof.

Aspect 4: the material of aspects 1-3, wherein the salt crystal comprises an organic salt.

Aspect 5: the material of aspect 4, wherein the organic salt comprises one or more of a phosphate, a glutamate, a tartrate, and ions thereof.

Aspect 6: the material of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the salt crystal is a coating layer completely covering the supporting fiber layer.

Aspect 7: the material of aspects 1-6, wherein the supporting fiber layer comprises a hydrophobic material.

Aspect 8: the material of aspects 1-7, wherein the supporting fiber layer comprises a hydrophilic material.

Aspect 9: an air filtration device comprising any one or more of the materials described in aspects 1 to 8.

Aspect 10: the air filtration device of aspect 9 configured to act as a mask that is worn to cover a wearer's nose and mouth.

Aspect 11: the air filtration device of aspect 9, configured as a passenger compartment air filtration device, a furnace air filtration device, or an air conditioning filtration device.

Aspect 12: the air filtration device of aspect 9, configured as a respiratory protection device.

Aspect 13: a method for manufacturing the material of aspects 1 to 8, the method comprising:

coating the support fiber layer with a salt coating solution to obtain a salt coated fiber layer; and

drying the layer of salt-coated fibers,

wherein the salt coating solution includes one or more of salts, surfactants, additives, and excipients.

Aspect 14: the method of aspect 13, wherein the salt coating solution does not comprise a surfactant.

Aspect 15: the method of aspects 13 and 14, wherein the salt coating solution does not include an additive.

Aspect 16: the method of aspects 13-15, wherein the salt coating solution does not comprise an excipient.

Aspect 17: the method of aspects 13-16, wherein the step of coating comprises: and spraying the supporting fiber layer with the salt coating solution.

Aspect 18: a method for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, the method comprising:

adsorbing a pathogenic aerosol onto the air filtration material of aspects 1 to 8;

dissolving the salts on the air filtration material into the pathogenic aerosol, resulting in evaporation of moisture from the pathogenic aerosol; and

recrystallizing said salts dissolved in said pathogenic aerosol and inactivating said pathogen.

Aspect 19: a hygiene tissue device for inactivating pathogenic aerosols, the hygiene tissue device comprising:

a supporting fiber layer; and

a salt crystal disposed on the support fiber layer.

Aspect 20: the sanitary fabric article of claim 19, wherein the salt crystal comprises an inorganic salt.

Aspect 21: the sanitary fabric device of aspect 20, wherein the salt crystal comprises one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate, and ions thereof.

Aspect 22: the sanitary fabric assembly of aspects 19-21, wherein the salt crystal comprises an organic salt.

Aspect 23: the sanitary fabric device of aspect 22, wherein the organic salt comprises one or more of phosphate, glutamate, tartrate and ions thereof.

Aspect 24: the sanitary textile assembly of aspects 19-23, wherein said salt crystals are a coating that completely covers said supporting fibrous layer.

Aspect 25: the sanitary napkin device of aspects 19-24, wherein said support fibrous layer comprises a hydrophobic material.

Aspect 26: the sanitary napkin device of aspects 19-25, wherein said support fibrous layer comprises a hydrophilic material.

Aspect 26: a method for manufacturing the sanitary fabric device of aspects 19 to 26, the method comprising:

coating the support fiber layer with a salt coating solution to obtain a salt coated fiber layer; and

drying the layer of salt-coated fibers,

wherein the salt coating solution includes one or more of salts, surfactants, additives, and excipients.

Aspect 27: the method of aspect 26, wherein the salt coating solution does not comprise a surfactant.

Aspect 28: the method of aspects 26 and 27, wherein the salt coating solution does not comprise an additive.

Aspect 29: the method of aspects 26-28, wherein the salt coating solution does not comprise an excipient.

Aspect 30: a method of inactivating aerosol pathogens comprising:

adsorbing a pathogenic aerosol onto the sanitary fabric device of aspects 19 to 26;

dissolving the salts on the hygiene fabric device into the pathogenic aerosol, resulting in evaporation of moisture from the pathogenic aerosol; and

recrystallizing said salts dissolved in said pathogenic aerosol and inactivating said pathogen.

Claims (17)

1. A material for inactivating a pathogenic aerosol, comprising: the material comprises:

a supporting fiber layer; and

a salt crystal disposed on the support fiber layer.

2. The material of claim 1, wherein: the salt crystal comprises one or more of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate, ammonium salt, phosphate, glutamate, tartrate and ions thereof.

3. The material of claim 1, wherein: the salt crystal is a coating which partially or completely covers the supporting fiber layer.

4. The material of claim 1, wherein: the supporting fiber layer comprises a hydrophobic material.

5. The material of claim 1, wherein: the supporting fiber layer comprises a hydrophilic material.

6. The material of claim 1, wherein: the salt crystal is configured to absorb a pathogenic aerosol comprising the pathogen that reaches the air filtration material of claim 1.

7. The material of claim 6, wherein: the salt-like crystal is configured to dissolve upon contact with the pathogenic aerosol, thereby causing evaporation of moisture from the pathogenic aerosol.

8. The material of claim 7, wherein: the salt crystal is further configured to recrystallize the salt dissolved by the pathogenic aerosol and inactivate a plurality of pathogens from the pathogenic aerosol.

9. An air filtration device characterized by: the air filtration device comprises the material of claim 1.

10. An air filtration device according to claim 9 wherein: the air filtration device is configured as a mask that is worn to cover a nose and mouth of a wearer.

11. An air filtration device according to claim 9 wherein: the air filtration device is configured as a respiratory protection device.

12. An air filtration device according to claim 9 wherein: the air filter device is configured as a passenger compartment air filter device, a furnace body air filter device, or an air conditioning filter device.

13. A sanitary device characterized by: the sanitary device comprising the material of claim 1.

14. The sanitary device of claim 13, wherein: the sanitary device is configured as a sterilizing fabric device.

15. A stain removing garment characterized by: the stain removal garment comprising the material of claim 1.

16. A method for manufacturing the material of claim 1, wherein: the method comprises the following steps:

coating the support fiber layer with a salt coating solution to obtain a salt coated fiber layer; and

drying the layer of salt-coated fibers,

wherein the salt coating solution includes one or more of salts, surfactants, additives, and excipients.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein: the coating step comprises: and spraying the supporting fiber layer with the salt coating solution.