Buffered Adhesive Compositions for Skin Irritation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical dressings and ostomy skin barriers face challenges in simultaneously achieving optimal fluid absorption, pH control, and structural integrity, often leading to skin irritation and loss of adhesion due to limited pH buffering capacity and excessive fluid absorption.

Innovation Solution

A high molecular weight polymeric buffer composition comprising non-neutralized and partially neutralized polyacrylic acid, combined with polyisobutylene and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer, provides enhanced pH buffering and fluid absorption while maintaining structural integrity, minimizing skin irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hydrocolloids are used to absorb wound exudate, then fluid absorption is improved, but pH buffering capacity is limited and skin irritation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid absorptionVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines hydrocolloids with a polymeric buffer system comprising polyacrylic acid and polyacrylamide in specific ratios (0.1-10% hydrocolloid, 1-20% polymeric buffer) to create a composite adhesive composition that provides both fluid absorption and enhanced pH buffering capacity, thereby reducing skin irritation while maintaining absorption functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by introducing high molecular weight polymeric buffers with specific pH buffering ranges (pKa 3-7), particularly targeting the physiological pH range (6.5-7.5) to neutralize alkaline wound exudate and prevent skin irritation, while adjusting the concentration ratios of buffer components to optimize both absorption and buffering performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If excessive fluid is absorbed by the wound dressing, then pH control is improved, but structural integrity is lost due to swelling and distension

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepH controlVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the molecular weight and concentration parameters of the polymeric buffer components, using high molecular weight polyacrylic acid (10,000-1,000,000 Da) and polyacrylamide (10,000-1,000,000 Da) at controlled concentrations (1-20% total buffer), which provide effective pH buffering while maintaining the structural integrity of the adhesive composition even when absorbing physiological levels of fluid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system where hydrocolloids, polymeric buffers, and adhesive polymers work synergistically, with each component contributing specific properties: hydrocolloids for absorption, polymeric buffers for pH control with controlled swelling, and adhesive polymers for structural integrity, allowing the dressing to maintain strength while achieving effective pH control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If absorption capacity is increased to control pH, then pH buffering is improved, but adhesion is lost due to dissolution of the adhesive composition

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepH bufferingVSAvoidadhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the concentration and molecular weight parameters of the polymeric buffer components, using high molecular weight polymers (10,000-1,000,000 Da) at optimized concentrations (1-20%) that provide sufficient pH buffering capacity while maintaining the cohesive strength and adhesive properties of the composition, preventing dissolution even when absorbing wound exudate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent formulates a composite adhesive system where the polymeric buffer is integrated with adhesive polymers (polyisobutylene, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide) in specific ratios, creating a synergistic composition where the buffer provides pH control without compromising adhesion, as the adhesive polymers maintain bonding strength while the buffer manages pH through controlled chemical buffering rather than excessive absorption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution effectively maintains skin pH between 4.0 and 5.5, reduces enzymatic activity, and retains structural integrity, minimizing skin irritation and adhesion loss, even under prolonged exposure to fluids.

Implementation Method 1

a high molecular weight polymeric buffer composition which provides both pH buffering and fluid absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

provides both pH buffering and fluid absorption

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH buffering:

Implementation Method 3

maintaining normal skin pH levels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH regulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3182946B1Buffered adhesive compositions for skin-adhering medical products
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED
  • EP3182946B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3182946B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are buffered adhesive compositions comprising a high molecular weight non-neutralized polymeric acid and a high molecular weight partially neutralized polymeric acid and products such as wound dressings, ostomy skin barriers, and ostomy barrier rings incorporating the compositions.