Dual-Form Nicotine-Polymer Complex for Controlled Oral Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral nicotine products lack controlled and efficient nicotine release profiles, particularly under varying pH and ionic strength conditions.

Innovation Solution

Development of nicotine-polymer complexes comprising a resin treated with both free-base nicotine and protonated nicotine forms, allowing for modulated nicotine release through ion pairing and pH-dependent interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a resin is treated with only free-base nicotine to form a nicotine-polymer complex, then the product can be manufactured with a simpler formulation, but the nicotine release profile is incomplete and不受控 under varying pH and ionic strength conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenicotine release profileVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining two different forms of nicotine (free-base nicotine and protonated nicotine) with the polymer resin to create a composite nicotine-polymer complex. This composite structure enables the system to maintain reliable nicotine release across varying pH and ionic strength conditions, as each nicotine form contributes different release characteristics that complement each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating nicotine in two different protonation states (free-base and protonated forms). This allows the nicotine-polymer complex to respond dynamically to changes in environmental parameters such as pH and ionic strength, ensuring complete and controlled nicotine release under varying oral conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple forms of nicotine are used in the nicotine-polymer complex, then complete and controlled nicotine release is achieved under varying pH conditions, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenicotine release completenessVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the nicotine-polymer complex with both free-base and protonated nicotine before incorporating it into the final oral product. This pre-complexation ensures that the optimal balance of nicotine forms is achieved, guaranteeing complete nicotine release under varying pH conditions, while simplifying the final product manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If only free-base nicotine is used in the resin treatment, then the formulation is simpler, but the nicotine release is not complete under varying ionic strength conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenicotine release efficiencyVSAvoidnicotine form diversity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by integrating both free-base nicotine and protonated nicotine into the polymer resin structure. This composite nicotine-polymer complex achieves complete and efficient nicotine release under varying ionic strength conditions, as the dual-form composition ensures that nicotine is released regardless of the specific ionic environment in the oral cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 nicotine-polymer complexes provide extended, controlled, and complete nicotine release, enhancing the performance of oral products by balancing release profiles.

Implementation Method 1

nicotine-polymer complexes comprising a resin treated with both free-base nicotine and protonated nicotine forms, allowing for modulated nicotine release through ion pairing and pH-dependent interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon pairing: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

allowing for modulated nicotine release through ion pairing and pH-dependent interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH-dependent interactions:

Data Source

PatentEP4659595A1Nicotine-polymer complex comprising multiple nicotine forms
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD
  • EP4659595A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4659595A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4659595A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of preparing a nicotine-polymer complex is provided herein, along with the nicotine-polymer complex and a corresponding oral product containing such a complex are provided herein. The method can include contacting an exchange resin with a mixture of nicotine freebase and protonated nicotine or can include washing a nicotine resin to remove at least a portion of the nicotine therefrom and contacting the washed nicotine resin with a mixture of nicotine freebase and protonated nicotine.