Topical Analgesic Gel Micro-Emulsion for High Menthol Payload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional topical analgesic compositions using fats and waxes result in a greasy or oily feel on the skin and are difficult to spread, limiting the ease of application and absorption of active ingredients like menthol and camphor.
Innovation Solution
Formulating topical analgesic gel compositions without solid fats or waxes, using alcohol and glycols as solvents to solubilize menthol and camphor, achieving a high payload of active ingredients and providing a non-greasy, easily spreadable formulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fats and waxes are used as carriers for active ingredients, then a high payload of menthol and camphor can be achieved, but the formulation becomes greasy and oily on the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the carrier system by using alcohol and glycols in liquid form instead of solid fats and waxes, while maintaining the ability to solubilize high concentrations of menthol and camphor through careful selection of solvent properties and ratios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining alcohol and glycols with carbomer thickening agents to achieve a gel formulation that provides both high active ingredient payload and non-greasy application characteristics, replacing the traditional fat/wax carrier system
2Reliability
If fats and waxes are used to form an occlusive barrier, then active ingredients can be retained on skin, but the formulation is difficult to spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the rheological parameters of the formulation by using carbomer polymers to create a gel structure that provides appropriate viscosity and spreadability, replacing the occlusive barrier function of fats and waxes with a polymer-based gel network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical occlusive barrier formed by fat and wax layers with a molecular-level gel network formed by carbomer polymers, which provides retention through hydrogel structure rather than physical occlusion
3Quantity of substance
If conventional cream-like structures are used, then active ingredients can be delivered, but absorption into skin is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous gel structure of carbomer hydrogels to facilitate rapid transport of active ingredients through the skin, where the hydrophilic gel matrix allows for quick penetration compared to the denser fat/wax cream structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the fluid dynamics of alcohol-based gel formulations to enhance penetration speed, where the liquid crystal and gel phases allow for faster molecular diffusion and skin absorption compared to semi-solid fat-based creams
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compositions offer a high payload of menthol and camphor without a greasy feel, facilitating easy application, faster absorption, and stability through small droplet sizes, enhancing user experience and shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
use alcohol and glycols (e.g., pentylene glycol & glycerin) as solvents to solubilize a mixture of menthol and camphor
Implementation Method 2
When applied to an area of discomfort on the skin, the active ingredient(s) in the topical analgesic composition react to produce a cool feeling
Implementation Method 3
provide fast absorption of the active ingredient(s), essential oils, and sensates into the skin
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are topical analgesic gel compositions having relatively high payloads of menthol and camphor by micro-emulsion technology and methods of preparing topical analgesic gel compositions having relatively high payloads of menthol and camphor. Topical analgesic gel compositions may include from 12 to 16 wt. % menthol; from 4 to 8 wt. % camphor; from 0.1 to 2 wt. % carbomer; and 60 to 70 wt. % solvent. Topical analgesic gel compositions can have a viscosity from 60,000 to 110,000 centipoise.