Multi-Layered Dextrose Tablets for Fragility and Sensorial Issues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-layered chewable tablets with high active ingredient loads face challenges in manufacturing, storage, and transportation due to fragility, and they often have adverse sensorial properties such as bitterness and poor mouthfeel, which affect the delivery and convenience of the active ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A chewable multi-layered tablet composition comprising dextrose in 50-95% weight and active ingredients in 0.1-50% weight, with at least two compressed layers, where the first layer is pre-compressed and the second layer is applied with varying pressure to create a coherent structure, enhancing saliva generation and sensorial properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high load of active ingredients is incorporated in oral tablets, then the delivery effectiveness is improved, but the tablets become fragile and cause processing problems during manufacturing, storage and transportation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient loadVSAvoidtablet fragility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tablet is divided into multiple layers, with the active ingredient concentrated in a specific core layer while other layers provide structural support and protective functions. This segmentation allows high active ingredient load in the core layer without compromising the overall tablet strength, as the supporting layers bear the mechanical stress during manufacturing, storage and transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If high pressure is applied for the second layer in multi-layered tablets, then a robust and cohered structure is achieved, but the friability increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet structure coherenceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first layer is pre-compressed to achieve optimal density and mechanical strength before applying the second layer. This preliminary action creates a stable base that reduces the pressure needed for the second layer, thereby maintaining tablet coherence while reducing manufacturing complexity and avoiding excessive friability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If high amount of active ingredients is used relative to other ingredients, then the delivery efficacy is improved, but the sensorial properties deteriorate with pronounced bitterness and poor mouthfeel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient concentrationVSAvoidsensorial properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different layers of the tablet are assigned different compositions and functions: the core layer contains high concentration of active ingredients for effective delivery, while outer layers contain excipients optimized for sensorial properties such as taste masking, mouthfeel, and saliva generation. This local quality differentiation allows high active ingredient concentration without compromising overall sensorial acceptance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Quantity of substance

If multi-layered tablet structure is used to accommodate high active ingredient load, then the delivery capacity is improved, but the sensorial properties including mouthfeel and flavor perception deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient delivery capacityVSAvoidmouthfeel and flavor perception
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tablet employs a composite multi-layer structure where each layer is formulated with specific materials optimized for its function: the core layer uses materials compatible with high active ingredient load, while outer layers use excipients specifically selected to enhance sensorial properties including mouthfeel, flavor perception, and saliva generation. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of high delivery capacity and improved sensorial characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 tablet formulation achieves a strong and sustained saliva generation, improved mouthfeel, and rapid release of active ingredients, addressing the issues of fragility and sensorial properties, leading to enhanced delivery and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the compression process gives some limitations on the amount of actives to be incorporated in the layers of the tablets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20240415775A1Multi-Layered Dextrose Tablets
Publication Date: 2024.12.19 FERTIN PHARMA AS

AI summary

An oral chewable tablet contains dextrose in an amount from 50 to 95% by weight of the tablet; and one or more active ingredients in an amount from 0.1 to 50% by weight of the tablet. The oral chewable tablet includes at least two compressed layers containing the dextrose and the one or more active ingredients, the first of the compressed layers being cohered to and adjacent to the second layer.