Lipid Emulsion Sustained Release Caffeine Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current caffeine delivery methods, such as consuming caffeinated beverages, require frequent consumption to maintain desired alertness levels and lack effective sustained release systems due to caffeine's properties, which are not adequately addressed by existing sustained release compositions.

Innovation Solution

A caffeine-containing edible composition with a lipid continuous phase and self-assembled structures, comprising oil, phospholipids, and water, which slows caffeine diffusion through the lipid domain, providing a controlled and sustained release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If caffeine is administered in conventional forms (beverages, tablets), then immediate alertness effect is achieved, but frequent consumption is required to maintain desired caffeine levels

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDuration of caffeine effectVSAvoidFrequency of consumption required

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the aqueous caffeine solution into numerous tiny droplets dispersed within a lipid continuous phase. This segmentation creates a large total surface area while confining caffeine within discrete aqueous domains, slowing its release into the surrounding medium and extending the duration of action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each aqueous caffeine droplet is surrounded by a lipid membrane shell formed by phospholipids. This flexible thin film barrier controls the diffusion of caffeine from the aqueous core into the lipid continuous phase, providing sustained release over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If sustained release systems are designed for hydrophilic molecules, then release control is achieved, but these systems are ineffective for caffeine due to its ability to cross lipid membranes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEffectiveness of sustained release systemVSAvoidApplicability to different molecules

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Conventional sustained release systems use hydrophilic matrices to retain hydrophilic drugs. This invention inverts the approach by using a hydrophobic lipid continuous phase with embedded aqueous droplets to retain the relatively lipophilic caffeine molecule, exploiting its amphiphilic nature for effective sustained release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the release system by inverting the polarity relationship between continuous and dispersed phases. The lipid continuous phase with embedded aqueous droplets creates a unique microenvironment that exploits caffeine's amphiphilic properties, achieving reliable sustained release where conventional systems fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If complex solid structures like coated micro-particles are used, then sustained release is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSustained release durationVSAvoidStructural complexity of release system

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state of the release system from solid coated particles to a liquid crystalline or semi-solid emulsion system. This parameter change simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex coating steps while achieving sustained release through the inherent properties of the lipid-aqueous interface and phospholipid self-assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The phospholipids in the system self-assemble at the interface between aqueous caffeine droplets and the lipid continuous phase, automatically forming protective membranes that control caffeine release. This self-assembly eliminates the need for complex external coating processes, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining sustained release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 composition achieves a significantly slower caffeine release rate, up to 20 times lower than in water, allowing for prolonged alertness without the need for frequent consumption, as demonstrated by the diffusion coefficient and release studies.

Implementation Method 1

slows caffeine diffusion through the lipid domain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

self-assembled structures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-assembly: Self-Assembly

Data Source

PatentUS11096897B2Controlled release of caffeine

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to an edible composition having a lipid continuous phase and self-assembled structures, the composition comprising oil, phospholipids, caffeine and water. Further aspects of the invention are the use of a composition to provide controlled release of caffeine, a composition for use in the treatment or prevention of drowsiness, the non-therapeutic use of a composition to increase mental alertness, and an edible capsule.