Mixed Metal Hydroxide Salve Preventing Syneresis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a topical pharmaceutical formulation that utilizes positively charged crystalline mixed metal hydroxide particles to provide antimicrobial, astringent, analgesic, and wound healing properties without causing pain or damaging the skin, while also preventing re-infection of wounds and skin maladies, and existing attempts have failed to create effective salves or lotions using these particles due to issues like syneresis and interference with the positive charge.
Innovation Solution
A formulation consisting of hydrated mixed metal hydroxides combined with a non-anionic thickener and water, which forms an adduct that maintains the antimicrobial properties and prevents syneresis, creating a stable, effective salve or lotion that can be applied to wounds and skin maladies without separating into phases and with a smooth application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mixed metal hydroxide particles are used as the active ingredient in a salve or lotion, then antimicrobial and astringent properties are achieved, but the formulation separates into phases (syneresis) and becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
A non-anionic thickener is introduced as an intermediary substance between the mixed metal hydroxide particles and water. This thickener forms a stable network structure that prevents phase separation while maintaining the positive charge of the MMOH particles, thus resolving the contradiction between antimicrobial effectiveness and formulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation creates a composite material system combining mixed metal hydroxide particles, non-anionic thickener, and water. This composite structure leverages the stabilizing properties of the thickener network to maintain suspension stability while preserving the therapeutic properties of the MMOH particles.
2Force
If conventional thickeners are added to mixed metal hydroxide formulations, then viscosity is increased, but the positive charge of the particles is interfered with and antimicrobial properties are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using non-anionic thickeners with particular properties that allow them to provide viscosity enhancement in one aspect while maintaining particle charge in another. The thickener is selected to have specific molecular characteristics that prevent interaction with the positive charge of MMOH particles, thus maintaining local quality differences between the thickener function and particle charge function.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation changes the parameter of thickener charge from anionic (conventional) to non-anionic (innovative), which fundamentally alters how the thickener interacts with the MMOH particles. This parameter change allows the thickener to provide viscosity without neutralizing or interfering with the positive charge required for antimicrobial activity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the formulation is made with simple ingredients (MMOH, water, thickener), then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the formulation previously failed to achieve stable salve or lotion consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of thickener type from anionic to non-anionic, which transforms the formulation behavior. This single parameter change enables the simple three-ingredient system to achieve stable salve or lotion consistency, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and formulation 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 treats various infections and skin issues by blocking negatively charged pathogens, providing astringent and analgesic effects, and forming a protective film that prevents re-infection, with the ability to be applied without bandages and without entering the bloodstream, thus avoiding systemic toxicity.
Implementation Method 1
A formulation consisting of hydrated mixed metal hydroxides combined with a non-anionic thickener and water, which forms an adduct that maintains the antimicrobial properties and prevents syneresis
Implementation Method 2
The formulation effectively treats various infections and skin issues by blocking negatively charged pathogens
Implementation Method 3
A formulation consisting of hydrated mixed metal hydroxides combined with a non-anionic thickener and water
Data Source
AI summary
This invention concerns a formulation of a hydrated mixed metal hydroxide and a nontoxic, non-anionic thickener, to form a salve or lotion which does cause synereses of the formulation. This formulation, when applied to a person or animal, forms a film that acts as an astringent, has antimicrobial palliative properties for many negative pathogens, burns, rashes and other skin maladies.