Core-Shell Nanofibrous Membrane for Low-Friction Skin Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nanofiber skin masks face challenges with poor skin contact and handling properties, leading to inadequate penetration of active ingredients due to high friction and limited mobility, and they often require preservatives that can cause skin reactions.
Innovation Solution
A low-friction core-shell nanofiber membrane is developed with a polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell composed of active ingredients, allowing for controlled release and enhanced skin contact through a one-step free-surface electrospinning process, reducing friction and improving mobility on the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nanofiber skin masks are used to deliver active ingredients, then active ingredient delivery is enabled, but friction with skin is high causing poor mobility and contact
Solution Approach 1:
The nanofiber membrane is segmented into core-shell structures where the shell layer contains lubricating agents that reduce friction with skin, while the core provides structural support and active ingredient delivery. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of low friction for mobility and structural integrity for active ingredient delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
A lubricating agent layer is introduced as an intermediary between the nanofiber membrane and skin surface. This intermediary layer reduces direct friction contact while allowing the membrane to maintain its active ingredient delivery function, thereby improving mobility without compromising delivery efficacy.
2Reliability
If preservatives are added to nanofiber skin masks, then product stability is improved, but skin reactions are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The pH of the nanofiber membrane system is adjusted to an alkaline range (pH 8-10), which creates an environment where preservatives are less necessary for stability while being gentler on skin. This parameter change allows reduction or elimination of harsh preservatives while maintaining product stability through the modified chemical environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanofiber membrane is designed as a single-use disposable product that is discarded after one application. This eliminates the need for long-term preservative systems, as the product does not remain in use beyond a single application where contamination risk is minimal.
3Area of stationary object
If the membrane structure is made thin for better skin contact, then skin contact area is improved, but handling properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane employs a composite structure combining nanofibers with lubricating agents and binding agents. This composite material provides both the thin profile needed for extensive skin contact and the enhanced mechanical properties required for good handling. The lubricating agents reduce inter-fiber friction while binding agents provide structural cohesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanofiber membrane is constructed as a flexible thin film with controlled thickness optimized for skin contact. The incorporation of lubricating agents within the membrane structure provides internal slip planes that maintain flexibility and handleability even at reduced thickness, allowing the membrane to conform to skin contours while remaining easy to apply and remove.
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 membrane provides excellent skin contact and enhanced penetration of active ingredients, minimizing wrinkles and skin reactions, while being preservative-free, and also reduces rewet in sanitary products by facilitating quick fluid relocation.
Implementation Method 1
They are formed by electrospinning a polymer solution mixed with first and second active ingredients, wherein the first active ingredient is mainly located in the core of the core-shell nanofibers and the second active ingredient is mainly located in the shell of the core-shell nanofibers.
Implementation Method 2
the second active ingredient is water soluble and forms a shell solely containing the second active ingredient
Implementation Method 3
nanofibrous membranes capable of delivering one or more active ingredients in a controlled release manner
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.