Surfactant-Free Foamable Gel Rheology Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations face challenges in achieving a delicate balance of viscosity to ensure product consistency, stability, and usability, particularly in the absence of surfactants, where rheological properties like tackiness, spreadability, and thixotropy are difficult to measure and control.
Innovation Solution
The use of a composition comprising a hydrophobic solvent, a suspended pharmaceutical or cosmetic active agent, and a second rheology modulator consisting of fatty alcohols, fatty acids, and waxes, which synergistically increases viscosity and modulates rheological properties, allowing for the creation of surfactant-free, foamable compositions that are pharmaceutically equivalent to gels when dispensed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surfactants are used to achieve desired rheological properties, then viscosity and spreadability are improved, but product stability and chemical compatibility deteriorate due to surfactant-free formulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates surfactants from the formulation while maintaining desired rheological properties through alternative means. The composition achieves spreadability and stability without surfactants by using specific combinations of fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and waxes that provide the necessary functional properties independently of surfactant molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the rheological parameters by adjusting the types and proportions of fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and waxes in the formulation. By modifying these compositional parameters, the patent achieves the desired spreadability and viscosity characteristics that traditionally required surfactants, but through chemically compatible hydrophobic components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If viscosity is increased to improve product consistency, then stability is improved, but usability and dispensability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic rheological system where the composition adapts its viscosity characteristics based on applied stress. The formulation exhibits thixotropic behavior, maintaining higher viscosity at rest for stability but becoming more fluid under shear stress during dispensing and application, thus achieving both consistency and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies viscosity parameters through careful selection and proportioning of rheology modulators including fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and waxes. These compositional changes enable the product to achieve optimal consistency without compromising dispensability by creating a balanced rheological profile.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple rheology modulators are added to control viscosity, then product stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functional roles into a unified formulation system. The fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and waxes simultaneously provide rheology modulation, chemical stability, and compatibility functions that would traditionally require separate additives. This consolidation achieves viscosity control without proportionally increasing formulation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional components where fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and waxes serve multiple purposes: they act as rheology modulators for viscosity control, provide chemical stability, ensure compatibility with active ingredients, and contribute to overall formulation performance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized additives.
4Stability of the object's composition
If gel formulation is used to achieve desired consistency, then stability is improved, but foamability and application versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic formulation that can transition between gel and foam states based on processing and application conditions. The composition maintains gel-like stability at rest but can be transformed into foamable structures when subjected to appropriate mechanical or chemical stimuli, enabling versatile application methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal base formulation that can serve multiple product types. The same composition of hydrophobic solvent, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and waxes can be adapted to produce either gel or foam products by adjusting secondary ingredients or processing parameters, thus achieving application versatility without sacrificing consistency.
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
This approach results in a composition with improved viscosity, stability, and usability, enabling the production of high-quality, breakable foams that are chemically and physically stable, and can be used for both gel and foam applications, reducing the need for expensive clinical trials and enhancing product delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a first rheology modulator which is a suspended pharmaceutical or cosmetic active agent and second rheology modulator consisting of at least one fatty alcohol, at least one fatty acid, at least one wax and mixtures of two or in more thereof wherein the viscosity of the composition is at least about 30% higher than the viscosity of a first partial composition comprising the second rheology modulator and the hydrophobic carrier without the first rheology modulator
Implementation Method 2
a first rheology modulator which is a suspended pharmaceutical or cosmetic active agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to compositions for cosmetic or pharmaceutical application. The compositions include a carrier and rheology modulators.APP