E-Cigarette Liquid pH Adjustment for Cytotoxicity Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic cigarette compositions have inherent cytotoxicity due to their basic pH, which can cause pulmonary cytotoxicity in users.

Innovation Solution

The use of a pH adjuster acid, such as orthophosphoric acid, lactic acid, or citric acid, is introduced into the electronic cigarette composition to adjust the pH to a range of 7.2 to 7.6, reducing cytotoxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a basic pH composition is used in electronic cigarettes, then the vapor density is sufficient, but pulmonary cytotoxicity occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor densityVSAvoidpulmonary cytotoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH of the e-cigarette composition from basic to acidic range (pH 3.0-7.0). This chemical parameter modification reduces pulmonary cytotoxicity while preserving adequate vapor density, directly resolving the technical contradiction between vapor quality and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If traditional cigarettes are smoked, then nicotine delivery is achieved, but high-temperature combustion produces carcinogenic substances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenicotine deliveryVSAvoidcarcinogenic substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates carcinogenic substances by replacing traditional tobacco combustion with electronic vaporization of a controlled composition. The harmful combustion byproducts are removed while retaining nicotine delivery through a safer mechanism, achieving the separation of desired effect from harmful effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If heated-tobacco systems are used, then flavor satisfaction is maintained, but nitrosamines are still formed at lower temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor satisfactionVSAvoidnitrosamines
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful formation of nitrosamines into a benefit by using a completely different chemical system - electronic vaporization of controlled compositions. This eliminates the combustion process that creates nitrosamines while maintaining flavor satisfaction through controlled heating and vaporization of flavor-containing compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 pH adjustment significantly reduces pulmonary cytotoxicity, making the prolonged consumption of electronic cigarette vapors safer compared to both prior art compositions and heated-tobacco systems.

Implementation Method 1

a pH adjuster acid is added to an electronic cigarette composition... wherein said pH adjuster acid gives said composition a pH between 7.2 and 7.6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Data Source

PatentEP4011219B1Liquid composition for inhalation for electronic cigarettes with reduced cytotoxicity
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 VAPORART SRL
  • EP4011219B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4011219B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a liquid inhalation composition for electronic cigarettes with reduced cytotoxicity. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition for inhalation by means of electronic cigarettes comprising: - a glycerol/propylene glycol mixture in a percentage by volume between 80% and 99%; - optionally, water in a percentage by volume less than or equal to 6%, preferably less than or equal to 5%; 5%; - optionally, nicotine in a percentage by weight/volume not exceeding 0.2%; - optionally, flavorings in a percentage by volume less than or equal to 15%, preferably less than or equal to 10%; - a pH adjuster, wherein the composition has a pH between 7.0 and 7.6.