Thermoplastic Elastomer Skin Contact Material with CBD Oil Bloom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermoplastic elastomers used in skin contact interfaces, such as limb liners for prosthetic limbs, are waterproof, leading to a moist environment that harbors bacteria, softens the skin, and causes chafing, while frequent cleaning with detergents shortens their useful life due to degradation.

Innovation Solution

A thermoplastic elastomer composition incorporating CBD oil, which saturates and slowly blooms to the surface, allowing absorption by the skin to moisturize, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation, while being resistant to washing out.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermoplastic elastomers are used as skin contact material, then the material provides waterproofing and structural integrity, but it creates a moist environment that harbors bacteria and causes skin chafing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproofing and structural integrityVSAvoidbacterial growth and skin chafing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates CBD oil into the thermoplastic elastomer formulation, converting the harmful moist environment into a beneficial therapeutic application. The CBD oil migrates to the surface and provides anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial effects, transforming the problematic moisture retention into a delivery mechanism for skin-soothing benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material by combining thermoplastic elastomer with CBD oil at supersaturated concentrations (at least 50% by weight). This composite structure allows the material to maintain its waterproof and structural properties while simultaneously providing therapeutic benefits through CBD migration to the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If thermoplastic elastomers are frequently cleaned with detergents, then hygiene is maintained, but the useful life of the product is shortened due to degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidproduct lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The CBD oil continuously migrates to the surface of the thermoplastic elastomer, providing ongoing antibacterial and protective effects. This self-replenishing mechanism helps protect the material during cleaning cycles, reducing degradation and extending product life while maintaining hygiene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If CBD oil is incorporated at high concentration in thermoplastic elastomer, then skin benefits are enhanced, but the material formulation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCBD oil concentrationVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a supersaturated concentration range of at least 50% CBD oil by weight in the thermoplastic elastomer formulation. This parameter change creates a metastable state where the CBD oil is dissolved at high concentration but will migrate to the surface over time, providing therapeutic benefits while maintaining formulation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 CBD oil in the thermoplastic elastomer composition effectively addresses skin issues by providing long-term moisturization and pain relief, reducing bacterial growth, and extending the product's lifespan by preventing degradation during cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

Bloom is a term of art in elastomers that refers to the migration of a liquid or solid material from the composition of the elastomer to the surface of the elastomer. Bloom is caused when an ingredient is added to an elastomeric compound formulation in a concentration that is in excess of its solubility.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBloom: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

The CBD oil and the plasticizing oil have the same, or similar, molecular weights. In this manner, the plasticizing oil and the CBD oil can form a homogenous oil mixture during processing. The CBD oil saturates the thermoplastic elastomer at molding temperatures. Accordingly, after molding, the CBD oil supersaturates the thermoplastic elastomer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSupersaturation: Supersaturation

Implementation Method 3

allowing absorption by the skin to moisturize, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220401237A1Elastomeric Skin Contact Material that Contains and Releases CBD Oil

Publication Date: 2022.12.22 BERNHARDT GREGORY S

AI summary

An improved composition for a thermoplastic elastomer that is used in a product that touches the skin. The thermoplastic elastomer contains a styrene block copolymer, a plasticizing oil, and CBD oil. The plasticizing oil and the CBD oil, in combination, comprise at least eighty percent of the thermoplastic elastomer by weight. The plasticizing oil and the CBD oil have the same, or similar, molecular weights. In that manner, the plasticizing oil and the CBD oil can form a homogenous mixture. The CBD oil saturates the thermoplastic elastomer and will slowly bloom out of the thermoplastic elastomer over time. The migration of the CBD oil brings the CBD oil to the exposed surfaces of the thermoplastic elastomer, therein enabling the CBD oil to be absorbed by the skin.