Medicated Patch Barrier Layer Design for Migration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicated patches face challenges with migration of active ingredients into surrounding components, leading to damage and uneven distribution, particularly due to the interaction between medicated zones and adhesive or absorbent layers, which complicates production and storage.

Innovation Solution

A medicated patch design featuring a first continuous adhesive layer with a second component in indentations separated by a cup-shaped barrier layer, where the barrier layer's rim extends into a flange with a thin coating of the second component, reducing the contact zone and minimizing migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a barrier layer is introduced to separate the active ingredient from the adhesive, then migration of active ingredients is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration controlVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer is segmented into a cup-shaped structure with a rim that extends into a flange, creating a contained zone that separates the active ingredient from the adhesive while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This segmentation approach effectively controls migration without requiring complex multi-layer assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier layer extends vertically with a rim that projects upward into a flange, utilizing the vertical dimension to create separation. This dimensional extension allows the barrier to effectively contain the active ingredient without requiring extensive horizontal separation, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the barrier layer rim extends into a flange with a thin coating, then migration is minimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration controlVSAvoidcoating thickness control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coating thickness on the flange is controlled to be less than 0.045 mm, a specific parameter change that minimizes the contact zone between the active ingredient and surrounding components. This parameter optimization reduces migration while maintaining manufacturability through standard coating processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the second component is present in a thin layer on the flange, then migration is reduced to acceptable level, but the quantity of active ingredient may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration controlVSAvoidactive ingredient amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The active ingredient is concentrated in the cup-shaped barrier layer zone where it is most needed, while the flange area contains only a thin coating. This local quality distribution ensures sufficient active ingredient quantity in the medicated zone while minimizing migration at the boundaries, achieving both goals simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8197843B2Device for the administration of an active agent to the human skin

Publication Date: 2012.06.12 COLOPLAST AS

AI summary

An article having an adhesive surface for adhering to human skin that includes a first component constituting a continuous layer and at least a second component which is located in indentations in the adhesive surface of the first component without being in direct contact with the first component. The second component is separated from the first component by a cup shaped barrier layer having a rim which extends into a flange.