Stable Physiological Cooling Solutions via Dihydric Alcohols

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Physiological cooling reagents, such as L-menthol, face challenges in stability and miscibility in water-based solutions, leading to handling difficulties and safety concerns due to their fat-soluble nature and volatility, particularly with solvents like ethanol, which can counteract the cooling effect and pose safety risks.

Innovation Solution

Development of stable solutions comprising 10-70% physiological cooling reagents, specifically N-alkylated carboxamides or cyclic monoterpene structures, combined with 30-90% dihydric alcohols and up to 25% water, creating a stable, cold-stable, and low-viscosity mixture that remains liquid across a wide temperature range, allowing for easy dosing and safe handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If solid physiological cooling reagents are used, then the cooling effect is achieved, but handling difficulties and safety risks arise due to dust and vapors irritating mucous membranes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling safetyVSAvoidmucous membrane irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of cooling reagents from solid to dissolved form in liquid carriers (glycols, oils, alcohols). This transformation eliminates dust generation and vapor irritation while maintaining the cooling effect, directly resolving the handling safety and mucous membrane irritation contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If lipophilic cooling reagents are used in aqueous preparations, then the cooling effect is achieved, but miscibility issues and crystallization occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with aqueous preparationsVSAvoidsolution stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses lipophilic carriers (glycols, oils, alcohols) as intermediary substances that are miscible with both water and lipophilic cooling reagents. These carriers act as mediators to achieve compatible mixing while preventing crystallization, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to aqueous preparations and solution stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ethanol is used as solvent, then miscibility with cooling reagents is improved, but safety risks and skin irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidskin irritation and flammability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces ethanol with safer alternatives (glycols, oils, alcohols) that have comparable solubility properties but significantly reduced flammability and skin irritation. These substitute carriers maintain the cooling reagent's solubility while eliminating harmful effects, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Measurement precision

If concentrated solutions are prepared, then dosing precision is improved, but crystallization at low temperatures occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing precisionVSAvoidcold stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific carriers (glycols, oils, alcohols) with appropriate freezing points and solubility characteristics. These carriers enable preparation of concentrated solutions that remain liquid and stable at low temperatures, simultaneously achieving dosing precision and cold stability.

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 solutions provide a stable, cold-stable, and low-viscosity formulation that maintains the cooling effect, enabling safe handling and precise dosing, while avoiding crystallization and miscibility issues with lipophilic phases, expanding their application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Implementation Method 1

at least one dihydric alcohol serves as the solvent. Water is added to stabilize the solutions at low temperatures and to lower their viscosity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

water acts as an effective antisolvent for lipophilic cooling reagents in these three solvents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntisolvent effect:

Implementation Method 3

The binding of the cooling agent to a cold receptor causes the opening of Ca2+ ion channels. The resulting influx of Ca2+ ions into the nerve cells generates the same nerve impulse induced by physical exposure to cold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon channel activation:

Data Source

PatentEP3062762B1Stable solutions containing a physiological cooling reagent and use thereof

Publication Date: 2019.12.11 MINASOLVE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to stable solutions of individual physiological cooling reagents and to the use thereof for cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical and/or dermatological and/or hygienic and/or food-relevant preparations or products containing said mixtures. At least one divalent alcohol is used as the solvent. In order to stabilize the solutions in cold conditions and to reduce their viscosity water can be optionally added.