Glycolide-Based Tampon for Vaginal pH Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pH-reducing formulations for the vagina, such as solutions, jellies, and suppositories, are inconvenient to handle, leak easily, and fail to absorb vaginal fluid, particularly during menstruation, making them ineffective in maintaining a healthy acidic pH and preventing pathogenic microorganisms from multiplying.
Innovation Solution
A tampon formulation comprising 3-100% glycolide, optionally 97-15% solid organic acid, and 5-30% wetting agent, which can include lactide and preferred agents like citric acid and glycerol, designed to reduce vaginal pH to below 5.5, providing effective acid release and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solutions, jellies, powders, or suppositories containing acidifying materials are used, then the pH of the vagina can be reduced, but they are inconvenient to handle and apply, do not have capacity for absorbing vaginal fluid, and tend to leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single tampon product: (1) menstrual fluid absorption through the absorbent core, (2) pH reduction through acidifying materials incorporated into the tampon structure, and (3) fluid containment to prevent leakage. This integration eliminates the need to use separate acidifying formulations and catamenial tampons simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The tampon employs composite material construction with an absorbent core containing acidifying materials (such as lactic acid, citric acid, or their salts) integrated into the tampon matrix. This composite structure allows the product to simultaneously absorb vaginal fluid, release acidifying agents to reduce pH, and maintain structural integrity to prevent leakage, thereby achieving multiple functions in one convenient product.
2Reliability
If solutions, jellies, powders, or suppositories containing acidifying materials are used, then the pH of the vagina can be reduced, but they do not have capacity for absorbing vaginal fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid absorption function with the pH reduction function in a single integrated product. The absorbent core of the tampon is designed to absorb vaginal fluid while simultaneously releasing acidifying materials, thereby eliminating the need for separate products and ensuring both absorption capacity and pH reduction effectiveness are achieved together.
3Adaptability or versatility
If acidifying materials are physically incorporated into absorbent products by coating, spraying, or impregnating, then the product gains acidifying properties, but the formulation stability and controlled release may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tampon employs composite material construction with acidifying materials (such as lactic acid, citric acid, or their salts) integrated into the absorbent core matrix. This composite structure allows the acidifying materials to be stably incorporated while maintaining controlled release characteristics, as the materials are distributed throughout the absorbent matrix rather than applied as surface coatings, thereby achieving both versatility and stability.
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 formulation effectively lowers vaginal pH, offering improved retention, absorption, and pH regulation, reducing the need for additional wetting agents and enhancing the pH-lowering efficacy comparable to or exceeding existing formulations, while maintaining stability and effectiveness during menstruation.
Implementation Method 1
Glycolide is a cyclic dimer of glycolic acid, containing two ester groups which upon contact with an aqueous environment are hydrolyzed, resulting in two glycolic acid molecules.
Implementation Method 2
5-30% of a wetting agent
Data Source
AI summary
A formulation effective in reducing the pH in a menstruating vagina or in a tampon inserted therein to below pH 5.5, comprising (a) 3-100% by weight of glycolide; (b) optionally 97-15% by weight of a solid organic acid; and (c) optionally 5-30% of a wetting agent. Also disclosed is a catamenial tampon for insertion in a human vagina which comprises the pH reducing formulation.