Nozzle With Concave-Convex End For Water-Soluble Sheet Applicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet-like water-soluble preparations, including microneedle arrays and cosmetic gel sheets, face adhesion issues when applied to the skin, often adhering to fingers or peeling off due to hair interference, leading to incomplete absorption.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle with a concave-convex end portion is developed to facilitate adhesion and detachment of the sheet-like preparations, allowing for rapid dissolution by supplying water from the back side, ensuring the preparation stays on the skin without adhering to the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sheet-like water-soluble preparation is applied to the skin by hand, then the preparation can be easily applied, but it adheres to the fingertip instead of the skin due to moisture absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a nozzle as an intermediary tool between the preparation and the skin. The nozzle holds the preparation and delivers it to the skin without the preparation adhering to the operator's finger. The nozzle acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the moist preparation and the fingertip, thereby solving the adhesion problem while maintaining ease of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the application process into distinct components: the nozzle body, the preparation holder, and the delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows the preparation to be held in a controlled environment within the nozzle, preventing premature adhesion to fingers while enabling reliable transfer to the skin surface.
2Ease of operation
If microneedles are pressed against the skin by hand, then the application is simple, but the skin deforms and absorbs impact preventing microneedle insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed with elastic properties that allow it to dynamically adapt to the skin surface. When pressed against the skin, the nozzle deforms elastically to conform to the skin's contours, maintaining consistent contact pressure on the microneedles while the skin cannot deform the rigid enough to prevent insertion. This dynamic interaction ensures reliable microneedle delivery while keeping the application simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle provides a counteracting force against the skin's deformation. The rigid structure of the nozzle counterbalances the skin's tendency to deform and absorb impact, ensuring that sufficient force is transmitted to the microneedles for successful insertion while maintaining overall simplicity of the application process.
3Reliability
If microneedles are inserted into the skin, then drug permeation is improved, but the microneedles take a lot of time to dissolve in water
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed to supply water to the microneedles immediately after insertion into the skin. This preliminary action of pre-positioning the water delivery mechanism ensures that dissolution begins right away, significantly reducing the time required for the microneedles to dissolve while maintaining the drug permeation benefits of microneedle insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention establishes a continuous process where water supply to the microneedles begins immediately upon insertion and continues without interruption. This continuous action ensures that the dissolution process starts right away and proceeds efficiently, minimizing dissolution time while maintaining effective drug delivery through the skin.
4Reliability
If a water-soluble preparation is applied to the scalp, then cosmetic treatment is provided, but the preparation peels off before absorption due to hair interference
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle serves as an intermediary that delivers the preparation directly to the scalp skin through the hair layer. By positioning the preparation at the tip of the nozzle close to the skin surface, the hair interference is bypassed, and the preparation is deposited directly where needed. This mediator approach ensures both effective cosmetic treatment and adequate retention time on the scalp.
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 nozzle enables reliable and hygienic application of sheet-like water-soluble preparations, ensuring complete absorption and rapid dissolution, enhancing skin permeation and moisture retention.
Implementation Method 1
water supply member having a hole, for supplying water to a back side of the sheet-like water-soluble preparation
Implementation Method 2
microneedles made of a water-soluble material dissolve in water in a skin after insertion
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a means which makes it possible to reliably administer a sheet-like water-soluble preparation to skins at various sites and supply water from a back side of the sheet-like water-soluble preparation. A nozzle having at least one hole on an end portion having a plane with a size capable of holding a sheet-like water-soluble preparation, and having concave-convex portions on a portion of the plane excluding the hole; and an applicator for a sheet-like water-soluble preparation, which is composed of a liquid container and the nozzle.