Nicotine Liquid Formulation for Discreet Aerosol Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

E-cigarettes often have inadequate nicotine concentration, significant nicotine loss, and visible aerosol, making them ineffective for smoking cessation due to low nicotine retention and non-discreet use.

Innovation Solution

A liquid formulation comprising at least 12% water, 70% propylene glycol, and 2% nicotine, with no glycerol or ethanol, designed to generate an aerosol with reduced visibility and improved nicotine retention, using an aerosol-generating device that maintains a boiling point between 105°C and 125°C to create a uniform and less visible aerosol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If e-cigarettes use liquid formulations containing glycerol to generate visible aerosols, then aerosol visibility is improved, but nicotine loss increases and retention decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol visibilityVSAvoidnicotine loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the liquid formulation by eliminating glycerol and ethanol, using only propylene glycol and water. This parameter change results in aerosol that is less visible but has significantly reduced nicotine loss, resolving the contradiction between visibility and nicotine retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating aerosol with different visibility characteristics in different contexts - the aerosol is sufficiently visible to indicate usage but less visible than traditional e-cigarettes, providing the right balance for discreet nicotine delivery without excessive visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If e-cigarettes use low nicotine concentration formulations, then aerosol generation is improved, but nicotine delivery efficacy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol generationVSAvoidnicotine concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the nicotine concentration parameter to at least 2% by weight, which is higher than conventional e-cigarettes. This parameter change maintains ease of aerosol generation while significantly improving nicotine delivery efficacy and reducing the number of inhalations needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If e-cigarettes generate visible aerosol, then user awareness of usage is improved, but discretion decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage awarenessVSAvoidlack of discretion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the aerosol visibility parameter by removing glycerol from the formulation. This results in aerosol that is still visible enough to confirm usage is occurring but is significantly less visible than traditional e-cigarettes, providing the needed discretion for users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If e-cigarettes use high glycerol content formulations, then aerosol visibility is improved, but boiling point control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaerosol visibilityVSAvoidboiling point control

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the base liquid composition parameters by using propylene glycol and water instead of glycerol. This parameter change enables precise boiling point control between 105°C and 125°C, which is critical for efficient nicotine delivery while avoiding excessive heat that could degrade the formulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the glycerol-based liquid system with a propylene glycol-based system. This substitution fundamentally changes the thermal properties of the formulation, enabling better boiling point control and more efficient aerosol generation at lower temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves high nicotine concentration with reduced aerosol visibility and improved retention in the respiratory tract, aiding in smoking cessation by delivering a specified nicotine dose with fewer inhalations and minimizing visible aerosol persistence.

Implementation Method 1

designed to generate an aerosol with reduced visibility and improved nicotine retention, using an aerosol-generating device that maintains a boiling point between 105°C and 125°C to create a uniform and less visible aerosol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3639813B1A liquid formulation comprising nicotine for aerosol administration

Publication Date: 2022.01.12 MCNEIL AB

AI summary

In one aspect, the present invention features a method of administering nicotine or a salt thereof to a human, wherein the method includes inhaling an aerosol of a liquid formulation, the liquid formulation comprising: (i) at least 12 percent by weight of water; (ii) at least 70 percent by weight of propylene glycol; and (iii) at least 2 percent by weight of said nicotine or a salt thereof; wherein the liquid formulation includes no more than 5 percent by weight of glycerol and no more than 5 percent by weight of ethanol. The present invention also features an aerosol-generating device and a reservoir for such a device containing such a liquid formulation.