Cannabidiol Formulation Crystallization Control via Solvent Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CBD formulations for vaporization in electronic cigarettes face challenges due to crystallization issues, which limit their use and require harmful additives, and are not compatible with vaporization devices that require higher viscosity fluids.
Innovation Solution
A sequential process of extraction, purification, and crystallization is used to create non-crystalline, cannabidiol-dominant formulations that include additional phytocannabinoids, ensuring stability and compatibility with vaporization devices by dissolving CBD in a non-polar hydrocarbon solvent and removing crystals, resulting in a liquid formulation suitable for vaporization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If CBD is purified to high concentration through extraction and refinement, then CBD purity is improved, but crystallization and precipitation occur making it unsuitable for vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the formulation by incorporating specific carriers (MCT oil, sesame oil, hemp seed oil) and terpenes that modify the solubility and stability characteristics of CBD, allowing high purity CBD to remain in solution without crystallizing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite formulations by combining purified CBD with carrier oils and terpenes, resulting in a stable liquid composition that maintains high CBD purity while preventing crystallization through the synergistic effects of the composite components
2Ease of operation
If CBD is diluted with high concentrations of non-cannabis components (propylene glycol, glycerol), then liquid form for vaporization is achieved, but harmful health effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces harmful industrial carriers (propylene glycol, glycerol) with natural, biodegradable carrier oils derived from hemp and other plant sources, creating a safer disposable formulation for vaporization that eliminates the health hazards associated with conventional carriers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting synthetic carriers with natural plant-derived oils, maintaining the necessary liquid viscosity and vaporization properties while eliminating harmful substances
3Adaptability or versatility
If CBD is diluted with exogenous terpenes and non-cannabis components, then vaporization functionality is achieved, but formulation stability and compatibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hemp seed oil and MCT oil that serve multiple functions: they act as carriers for CBD, provide necessary viscosity for vaporization, contribute to formulation stability, and offer additional therapeutic benefits, eliminating the need for separate stabilizing agents
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation uses endogenous terpenes naturally present in the cannabis extract itself rather than adding exogenous terpenes, allowing the formulation to be self-sufficient and stable without requiring additional additives that could compromise reliability
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 formulations remain stable and effective for vaporization, providing consistent performance with high CBD concentration and reduced reliance on non-cannabis derived components, ensuring safety and efficacy in electronic cigarettes.
Implementation Method 1
heating and dissolving the cannabis extract and/or cannabis distillate in a non-polar hydrocarbon solvent to form a solution
Implementation Method 2
cooling the solution in the presence of cannabidiol (CBD) seed crystal to induce nucleation to form solid CBD crystals
Implementation Method 3
cooling the solution in the presence of cannabidiol (CBD) seed crystal to induce nucleation to form solid CBD crystals
Implementation Method 4
The CBD crystals are then removed from the solution to provide a resulting liquid cannabidiol-dominant formulation
Data Source
AI summary
Stable liquid formulations dominant in cannabidiol (CBD) can be manufactured by a sequential process of purification to create a formulation that does not crystallize under a variety of storage and use conditions, and without the use of potentially harmful additives. For example, the formulation may be used in vaporization devices (i.e., electronic cigarettes) that typically require formulations to remain in a non-crystalline, non-solid, or non-partially solid state. The liquid formulations dominant in CBD may further contain other phytocannabinoids, including, but not limited to, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabidivarin (CBDV) in higher concentrations than unrefined and refined cannabis extracts obtained via existing methods.