Smart, Self-Decontaminating Polymer and Method for Inhibiting The Growth Of A Bacteria and Fungus

Abstract

A smart antimicrobial material and dressing to inhibit microbial growth is provided. Endogenous chemicals, such as metabolites produced from bacteria are utilized as chemical substrates and converted by enzymes to produce a disinfecting compound that will in turn inhibit the targeted microorganism. The material shall remain passive until such time as it encounters a microbe which expresses and/or secretes specific metabolites or markers. The enzyme or enzymes embedded in the smart material converts the metabolite into a disinfecting compound, which in turn either kills the microorganism or prevents it from multiplying on the surface of the material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A material comprising:
 an excipient;   a polymer mixed with said excipient;   at least one protein that is covalently linked or crosslinked to said polymer; and   an aqueous composition, wherein said protein is in a sufficient amount to catalyze a conversion of a chemical constituent placed in contact with the material, and wherein said protein is capable of undergoing hydrolysis in response to a target analyte to release at least one or more of a disinfectant, an antimicrobial, an antioxidant, or combinations thereof from said polymer.   
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1  including at least one biocide composition, said biocide composition is physically entrapped within said polymer or covalently tethered to said polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 1  including at least one biocide composition, said biocide composition is physically tethered to said protein or in contact with said crosslinked polymer such that said biocide is released from said crosslinked polymer upon cleavage of the protein from said polymer. 
     
     
         4 . A dressing comprising:
 a single layer comprising a first side and a second side, wherein said first side is facing an opposite direction relative to said second side, and wherein said first side and said second side are disposed in juxtaposition to each other forming said layer having a desired height, length and width;   a polymer disposed on at least said first side of said layer or within said layer, and optionally including wherein said polymer is disposed on said second side of said layer or within said layer;   at least one protein that is covalently linked or crosslinked to said polymer, and wherein said protein is disposed on at least said first side of said layer or within said layer, and optionally including wherein said protein is disposed on said second side of said layer or within said layer; and   an aqueous composition disposed within said layer, wherein said protein is in a sufficient amount to catalyze a conversion of a chemical constituent placed in contact with said layer, and wherein said protein is capable of undergoing hydrolysis in response to a target analyte to release at least one or more of a disinfectant, an antimicrobial, an antioxidant, or combinations thereof from said polymer.   
     
     
         5 . The dressing of  claim 4  including at least one biocide composition, said biocide composition is physically entrapped within said polymer or covalently tethered to said polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The dressing of  claim 4  including at least one biocide composition, said biocide composition is physically tethered to said protein or in contact with said crosslinked polymer such that said biocide is released from said crosslinked polymer upon cleavage of the protein from said polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The dressing of  claim 4  including a cover attached to at least a portion of either said first side of said layer or said second side of said layer for adhering the material to a wound site of a patient or for adhering the material to an area proximate to said wound site of said patient. 
     
     
         8 . The dressing of  claim 4  wherein said layer is biodegradable.