Liquid Activation System for Stable pH Mouthwash Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mouthwash formulations face challenges in achieving stable pH for formulation stability and effective delivery of beneficial agents like fluoride, calcium, and pH-sensitive agents, as the optimum pH for stability often differs from the optimum pH for agent delivery, leading to potential irritation and reduced efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A pH activation system where a mouthwash formulation has a stable pH during storage, which is altered upon use by contact with a sparingly soluble acid or base, enhancing the availability of mineral ions, enzyme activity, and bleaching agent reactivity, while providing aesthetic benefits like color change and fragrance release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pH of the mouthwash formulation is raised to enhance delivery of basic amino acids and mineral ions, then the availability of beneficial agents is improved, but the formulation stability deteriorates and irritation potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the mouthwash into two separate compartments: a liquid formulation containing beneficial agents at stable pH, and a separate acid component. This segmentation allows the formulation to maintain stability during storage while enabling pH adjustment for enhanced agent delivery upon activation by combining the compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The acid component is prepared in advance and stored separately from the liquid formulation. When needed, the acid is added to the formulation to adjust the pH, thereby preliminarily preparing the optimal conditions for beneficial agent delivery without compromising storage stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pH of the mouthwash formulation is lowered to enhance stability and prevent irritation, then formulation stability is improved, but the delivery efficiency of beneficial agents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static pH formulation to a dynamic pH-adjustable system. The liquid formulation maintains stable pH during storage, then dynamically adjusts to optimal pH for agent delivery when the acid component is added, allowing the system to adapt to different functional requirements.
3Reliability
If arginine bicarbonate is used to provide basic amino acid benefits, then oral care benefits are improved, but carbon dioxide release causes bloating and container bursting
Solution Approach 1:
The acid component that would react with bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide is extracted and stored separately from the liquid formulation containing arginine bicarbonate. This prevents the harmful gas-generating reaction during storage while allowing controlled activation when needed by adding the acid component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a separate acid component as an intermediary that can be added to activate the formulation. This intermediary approach allows control over the reaction between acid and bicarbonate, preventing uncontrolled carbon dioxide release while enabling beneficial pH adjustment when desired.
4Reliability
If enzymes are added to the mouthwash formulation, then pH-sensitive agent benefits are improved, but formulation stability deteriorates due to pH sensitivity and reactions with excipients
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments pH-sensitive components (enzymes, bleaching agents) from the acid component. These sensitive agents are included in the liquid formulation at stable pH conditions that maintain their activity and stability, while the acid component is stored separately to prevent pH-induced degradation or unwanted reactions during storage.
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 system ensures stable and effective delivery of beneficial agents, providing enhanced availability of fluoride, improved enzyme activity, and more acceptable pH for use, while also offering aesthetic benefits like color change and fragrance release.
Implementation Method 1
whereby the pH of the liquid is altered, thereby activating the liquid
Implementation Method 2
contact with a sparingly soluble acid or base
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are compositions comprising an unactivated liquid, an immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, such that during storage the unactivated liquid is not in contact with the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, but upon use, the unactivated liquid contacts the immobilized sparingly soluble acid or base, whereby the pH of the liquid is altered, thereby activating the liquid to provide a benefit; together with variant and alternative designs, methods of making and using the compositions, and components thereof.