Single-Step Monomer Polymerization for Pharmaceutical Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymer coating techniques for pharmaceutical ingredients are multi-step processes that require pre-synthesized polymers, organic solvents, and specialized equipment, leading to inefficiencies such as incomplete taste masking, uneven coating, high polymer usage, environmental concerns, and increased costs, while failing to provide targeted and controlled drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
A single-step process where monomers encapsulate pharmaceutical ingredients at a molecular level, polymerizing into a uniform polymer coat using water as a solvent, reducing polymer usage and eliminating the need for organic solvents, and enabling targeted and controlled drug release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-synthesized polymers are used in conventional coating techniques, then coating can be applied to mask taste and protect API, but the process becomes multi-step, requires specialized equipment, and increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polymer synthesis and coating application into a single step process. Monomers are polymerized directly on the API particles while they are being coated, eliminating the need for separate polymer synthesis and coating steps. This merging of operations reduces process complexity while maintaining coating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs polymerization initiation before the coating process is complete. By introducing initiators and catalysts during the coating process itself, the polymerization begins in advance and continues as the coating forms, ensuring the polymer is already in place when the coating completes without requiring additional post-coating steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If organic solvents are used in conventional coating processes, then polymer can be dissolved and applied uniformly, but environmental damage occurs and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic to water-based. By formulating the coating composition with water as the continuous phase instead of organic solvents, the process eliminates harmful environmental emissions while maintaining coating uniformity through controlled water evaporation and polymer precipitation during the single-step process.
3Reliability
If conventional coating techniques are used, then polymer coating can be applied, but incomplete taste masking occurs and drug release is not controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local variations in polymer properties by incorporating pH-sensitive monomers and catalysts at specific locations within the coating structure. The polymer coating has different properties at different depths and regions, with inner layers providing taste masking and outer layers providing controlled pH-dependent drug release, achieving both complete taste masking and controlled release.
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 approach results in a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and uniformly coated pharmaceutical composition that effectively masks bitter tastes, provides sustained release, and enhances bioavailability by ensuring immediate drug release at specific pH sites, improving stability and shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
with controlled polymerization process the monomer turns into the said polymer coat over the said active or inactive pharmaceutical ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved active or inactive pharmaceutical ingredient-polymer composition and process of preparation thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved active or inactive pharmaceutical ingredient-polymer composition and process of preparation thereof wherein the monomer encapsulates particles of active or inactive pharmaceutical ingredient at molecular level and with controlled polymerization process the monomer turns into the said polymer coat over the said active or inactive pharmaceutical ingredient that facilitates the disclosed invention to be completed a single step process.