Dihydroxyacetone Insect Repellent Composition for Skin Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current insect repellents, such as DEET and plant-based alternatives, face issues like skin irritation, volatility, short-lasting protection, and safety concerns, necessitating a long-acting, non-toxic, and effective repellent solution.

Innovation Solution

A dihydroxyacetone (DHA) based insect repellent composition, formulated in various forms including liquids, creams, and sprays, with concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 50%, combined with carriers and additives like ethanol, emulsifiers, and Maillard reaction inhibitors, providing both topical and spatial repellency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If DEET is used as an insect repellent, then repellency effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation and safety concerns occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepellency effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter from DEET to dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a different compound with comparable or superior repellency but without the skin irritation issues. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining effectiveness while eliminating harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs plant-based compounds that are naturally biodegradable and break down quickly in the environment, replacing persistent synthetic chemicals. This approach provides effective repellency while reducing long-term environmental and health concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If plant-based insect repellents are used, then safety is improved, but volatility increases and protection duration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidprotection duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite formulations combining dihydroxyacetone with plant-based compounds and carriers. This composite approach maintains the safety benefits of natural ingredients while extending protection duration through synergistic interactions and controlled release mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses carriers and adjuvants as intermediaries to deliver the active repellent ingredients. These intermediaries extend the residence time of the formulation on skin or vegetation, thereby extending protection duration without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If plant-based insect repellents are used, then safety is improved, but repellency effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetoxicityVSAvoidrepellency effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges dihydroxyacetone with multiple plant-based repellent compounds in a unified formulation. This combination leverages the safety profile of plant-based ingredients while achieving enhanced or comparable repellency effectiveness through synergistic effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a universal formulation platform that can be applied to both skin and vegetation, providing broad-spectrum protection against multiple insect types. This multi-functional approach maintains safety across different application contexts while ensuring effective repellency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250098673A1Compositions, means and methods for a novel insect repellent

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 LOMNICKY YOSEF

AI summary

An insect repellent composition for repelling insects from mammals and vegetation. This composition comprises: dihydroxyacetone (DHA) and a carrier suitable for insect repellent compositions. DHA is the active ingredient and the composition is efficacious in repelling insects.