Oleaginous Foam Composition Stabilization via Surfactant Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam products for topical application of therapeutic agents and cosmetics often destabilize with slight composition shifts, and conventional hydrophobic solvents interfere with foam formation, leading to irritancy and high surfactant usage, which is costly and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
Development of stable oleaginous foam compositions with a hydrophobic solvent concentration of 70% to 96.5%, a non-ionic surface-active agent at 0.1% to 10%, a gelling agent at 0.1% to 5%, and a liquefied or compressed gas propellant at 3% to 25%, allowing for low surfactant concentrations and reduced irritancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional hydrophobic solvents are added to foam compositions, then oil content increases, but foam stability deteriorates and surfactant concentration must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by using specific nonionic surfactants (polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers with HLB 3-8) and ionic surfactants (alkyl sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates) in optimized concentration ranges. This parameter optimization allows high oil content (70-96.5% hydrophobic solvent) while maintaining foam stability without requiring excessive surfactant concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite surfactant systems combining multiple types of surfactants (nonionic and ionic) working synergistically. This composite approach allows the formulation to accommodate high hydrophobic solvent content while maintaining stable foam structure, resolving the contradiction between oil content and foam stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If high surfactant concentrations are used to maintain foam stability with high oil content, then foam stability improves, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes surfactant concentration parameters to a specific range (0.1% to 10% nonionic, 0.1% to 5% ionic) that is sufficient to stabilize high-oil foams while remaining below irritation thresholds. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between foam stability and skin compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses mild, biocompatible surfactant molecules that are effective at low concentrations and degrade safely on skin contact, providing the necessary foam stability without persistent irritation effects
3Stability of the object's composition
If high surfactant concentrations are used to form stable foam, then foam stability improves, but formulation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes surfactant concentration parameters to the minimum effective range (0.1% to 10% nonionic, 0.1% to 5% ionic) while maintaining foam stability through careful selection of surfactant types and their synergistic interactions, thereby reducing material costs
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant system is designed to provide self-stabilization of foam structures through optimized molecular properties and interactions, reducing the need for excessive surfactant additions and associated costs
4Quantity of substance
If foam composition is slightly shifted by adding active ingredient, then therapeutic efficacy improves, but foam stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surfactant system is designed with universal compatibility to accommodate various active ingredients without compromising foam stability. The broad-spectrum surfactant selection and optimized concentration ranges provide a buffer against composition variations, allowing active ingredient addition while maintaining stable foam structures
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 compositions provide a stable, pleasant, and easy-to-spread foam with low surfactant requirements, preventing irritancy and cost issues, while effectively delivering active agents to large body areas and sensitive tissues.
Implementation Method 1
a non-ionic surface-active agent at a concentration of about 0.1% to less than about 10% by weight of the total composition
Implementation Method 2
at least one gelling agent at a concentration of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the total composition
Implementation Method 3
at least one liquefied or compressed gas propellant, at a concentration of about 3% to about 25% by weight of the total composition
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to stable oleaginous cosmetic or therapeutic foam compositions containing certain active agents, having unique therapeutic properties and methods of treatment using such compositions. The foamable composition includes at least one solvent selected from a hydrophobic solvent, a silicone oil, an emollient, a co-solvent, and mixtures thereof, wherein the solvent is present at a concentration of about 70% to about 96.5% by weight of the total composition, at least a non-ionic surface-active agent at a concentration of about 0.1% to less than about 10% by weight of the total composition; at least one gelling agent at a concentration of about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the total composition; a therapeutically effective amount of at least one active agent; and at least one liquefied or compressed gas propellant, at a concentration of about 3% to about 25% by weight of the total composition.