Nylon Pellet Water Buffer for Aerosol Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol formulations for inhalers face stability issues due to inadequate water content, as some pharmaceutical active agents are not stable when the water level is too low, leading to dehydration and further degradation, while excessive water can cause instability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating nylon pellets that are soaked in water to maintain a controlled water level within the aerosol composition, ensuring the water is adsorbed or absorbed within the pellets, which are then added to the aerosol canister to maintain a stable water concentration, thereby stabilizing the pharmaceutical active agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is added to the aerosol composition to prevent dehydration of pharmaceutical active agents, then stability of the active agents is improved, but excessive water causes instability and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
Nylon pellets are introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates water content control in the aerosol composition. The pellets absorb excess water while maintaining adequate moisture levels, acting as a buffer between the pharmaceutical active agents and the aqueous environment. This prevents both dehydration and water excess, resolving the contradiction between needing water for stability and avoiding water-induced degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the water content parameter dynamically by incorporating nylon pellets that can adjust their water absorption state based on the surrounding environment. The pellets maintain water content within an optimal range by absorbing or releasing water as needed, thereby keeping the aerosol composition stable while preventing pharmaceutical active agent degradation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If water level is kept low to prevent composition instability, then aerosol composition stability is improved, but pharmaceutical active agents dehydrate and degrade
Solution Approach 1:
Nylon pellets serve as a mediator that enables the system to maintain low overall water content while providing localized moisture to pharmaceutical active agents. The pellets hold water in a controlled manner, releasing it gradually to prevent agent dehydration without increasing the bulk water content that would cause composition instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating micro-environments around pharmaceutical active agents where adequate moisture is maintained through nylon pellet proximity, while the bulk composition remains low in water content. This spatial differentiation allows different regions of the aerosol to have different water contents optimized for their specific functions.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If water is added to stabilize pharmaceutical active agents, then shelf-life is extended, but water level control becomes difficult and composition stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Nylon pellets provide self-regulating water level control through their inherent absorption and desorption properties. The pellets automatically adjust their water content based on environmental conditions, eliminating the need for precise manual water level control during manufacturing and storage. This self-service mechanism extends shelf-life while maintaining composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nylon pellets create a feedback mechanism where water content is continuously regulated through absorption and release cycles. When water content rises above optimal levels, the pellets absorb excess water; when water content drops, the pellets release stored water. This automatic feedback loop maintains stable water levels and extends formulation shelf-life.
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 method effectively maintains a stable water concentration within the aerosol composition, enhancing the shelf-life and stability of pharmaceutical active agents by preventing dehydration and overdrying, ensuring consistent performance of the inhaler.
Implementation Method 1
wherein at least some of the water is adsorbed on or absorbed within the one or more nylon pellets
Implementation Method 2
wherein at least some of the water is adsorbed on or absorbed within the one or more nylon pellets
Data Source
AI summary
Formulations containing pharmaceutical active agent, propellant, and water at least partially adsorbed on or absorbed within one or more nylon pellets or nylon components of, for example, an inhaler such as a metered dose inhaler. Canisters, typically sealed canisters, containing such formulations. Inhalers, such as metered dose inhalers, containing such canisters. Methods of making and using the same.