Dissolvable Microorganism Patch for Vaginal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an absorbent article that efficiently delivers microorganisms to the skin, such as the vaginal area, with minimal viability loss during production, storage, and use, and a simpler construction that can be applied in various types of absorbent articles or garments.
Innovation Solution
A patch comprising a dissolvable fibrous element made of a filament-forming material and a microorganism, with a liquid pervious first layer and an adhesive on the garment-facing surface, designed to maintain microorganism viability and transfer effectively to the skin, while being easy to apply and integrate into absorbent articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microorganisms are incorporated into absorbent articles using conventional methods (liquid, paste, powder, granule, or pellet formulations), then the articles can deliver microorganisms to the skin, but significant viability loss occurs during production, transport, and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a film-shaped polymer matrix as a protective shell to encapsulate lactic acid producing bacteria. This thin film structure protects bacterial cells from moisture and environmental stress during transport and storage, significantly reducing viability loss while enabling effective delivery to the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the carrier material by using a specifically designed polymer matrix with controlled porosity, hydrophobicity, and degradation rate. These parameter changes create an optimal microenvironment for bacterial survival during storage and controlled release during use.
2Reliability
If a complex construction is used to protect and deliver microorganisms (such as closed chamber delivery members made of metal foil, polymeric film, or laminate), then microorganism viability is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential protective function from complex multi-layer constructions and implements it through a single integrated film-shaped polymer matrix. This eliminates the need for separate metal foil chambers, polymeric film layers, and laminate structures, significantly simplifying the overall device construction while maintaining microorganism viability.
Solution Approach 2:
The film-shaped polymer matrix performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects bacteria from moisture, controls release kinetics, provides structural support, and enables attachment to the absorbent article. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Reliability
If hydrophobic carriers are used to prolong bacterial survival during manufacture, transport, and storage, then viability is maintained, but the transfer of bacterial cells to the skin may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the polymer matrix with dynamic properties that allow it to transition from a protective, moisture-resistant state during storage to a release-permissive state during use. The matrix degrades or dissolves under specific conditions (such as contact with bodily fluids), dynamically changing from hydrophobic to hydrophilic to enable bacterial cell transfer to the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary design features in the polymer matrix structure that anticipate the release condition. The matrix is pre-configured with controlled porosity, degradation pathways, or dissolution characteristics that are activated upon contact with moisture or bodily fluids, ensuring optimal bacterial transfer at the right moment without compromising prior survival.
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 patch ensures less than 3 log viability loss of microorganisms after 4 weeks at 25°C/65% RH and transfers a significant amount of microorganisms to the skin, addressing the challenges of delivery and construction complexity in existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a dissolvable fibrous element comprising a filament-forming material and a microorganism
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive disposed at least partially on the garment facing surface of the first layer
Implementation Method 3
a liquid pervious first layer comprising a body facing surface and a garment facing surface
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to patch comprising a fibrous element comprising a filament-forming material and a microorganism, further comprising a liquid pervious first layer comprising a body facing surface and a garment facing surface opposite to the body facing surface, an attachment means disposed at least partially on the garment facing surface of the first layer, and a removable release liner at least partially covering the attachment means when the attachment means comprises an adhesive.