Eutectic Antimicrobial Gel for Long-Lasting Wound Moisture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogel wound dressings evaporate quickly, necessitating frequent reapplication and are limited to water-soluble drugs, posing challenges in wound care, especially for infections from microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
Development of antimicrobial gels using eutectic solvents and gelling agents that form eutectogels, which maintain moisture and can deliver a wide range of antimicrobial agents without drying out over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hydrogel wound dressings are used to maintain a moist environment, then wound healing is promoted, but the dressings evaporate and dry out quickly requiring frequent reapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the solvent system from water-based to eutectic solvent-based. Eutectic solvents have lower vapor pressure and higher stability compared to water, which prevents evaporation and drying out. This parameter change allows the gel to maintain its moist environment for extended periods without requiring frequent reapplication, directly resolving the contradiction between moisture retention and duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel system combining eutectic solvents with gelling agents. This composite material leverages the unique properties of eutectic solvents (low vapor pressure, high stability) combined with the gel-forming capabilities of gelling agents, resulting in a wound dressing that maintains moisture effectively over time without the evaporation issues of conventional hydrogels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hydrogel dressings are used for wound treatment, then water-soluble drugs can be delivered, but the range of targetable microorganisms is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from water to eutectic solvent, which fundamentally alters the solubility profile of the system. Eutectic solvents can dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds, enabling the formulation to incorporate a broader range of antimicrobial agents including those that are not water-soluble. This expands the versatility of drug delivery while maintaining reliable antimicrobial coverage against diverse microorganisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The eutectic solvent system serves multiple functions: it acts as a gel matrix, a solubilizing agent for diverse antimicrobial compounds, and a stable delivery vehicle. This multi-functionality allows the single gel formulation to target a wide spectrum of microorganisms using different antimicrobial agents, thereby enhancing both adaptability and reliability simultaneously.
3Stability of the object's composition
If hydrogel wound dressings are applied to burns, then the moist environment promotes healing, but frequent removal and reapplication causes additional pain and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of the solvent system by using eutectic solvents instead of water. Eutectic solvents have significantly lower vapor pressure, which prevents evaporation and maintains the moist environment for much longer periods. This parameter change directly reduces the need for frequent reapplication, making the wound dressing easier to operate and less painful for burn patients.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional gels are used for antimicrobial delivery, then water-soluble antimicrobials can be delivered, but delivery of other antimicrobial agents is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent composition parameter from water-based to eutectic solvent-based, which fundamentally expands the formulation's capacity to dissolve and deliver various types of antimicrobial agents. This parameter change maintains ease of manufacture through a straightforward gel formulation process while dramatically increasing the versatility of deliverable antimicrobial agents, including hydrophobic and non-water-soluble compounds.
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 eutectogels provide sustained delivery of antimicrobial agents, reducing the need for frequent reapplication and enhancing efficacy in wound care, thus improving wound healing by maintaining a moist environment and allowing for broader antimicrobial coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a eutectic solvent comprising a mixture of at least one hydrogen bond acceptor and at least one hydrogen bond donor
Implementation Method 2
a eutectic solvent comprising a mixture of at least one hydrogen bond acceptor and at least one hydrogen bond donor
Implementation Method 3
Hydrogels are cross-linked hydrophilic polymers that absorb and retain significant amounts of water
Implementation Method 4
antimicrobial gels formed using eutectic solvents do not dry out over a prolonged period of time
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to antimicrobial gels. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an antimicrobial gel comprising a eutectic solvent and a gelling agent which can be used as a drug delivery vehicle for antimicrobial agents, including for the topical delivery of antimicrobial agents to the skin of a subject. The present disclosure also relates to processes for preparing the antimicrobial gel, and to methods, uses and compositions comprising the antimicrobial gel.