Parylene-Coated Capsule for Moisture Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery vehicles, particularly those containing hygroscopic and moisture-sensitive compounds, face challenges in preventing moisture and vapor ingress, leading to degradation of payloads and interference with payload deployment due to insufficient moisture protection and residue from enteric coatings.

Innovation Solution

The development of capsules with a parylene moisture-barrier layer and an enteric coating that prevents moisture ingress and rapid dissolution, allowing for effective deployment of mechanical actuators like microneedle systems without leaving residue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hydroxypropyl methylcellulose capsules are used, then the capsule structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but moisture and vapor can still ingress into the capsule causing payload degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidcapsule structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule employs a nested multi-layer structure where an inner parylene moisture-barrier layer is enclosed within an outer enteric coating layer. This nested configuration provides enhanced moisture protection while maintaining a compact capsule design, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule utilizes composite materials by combining parylene (a moisture barrier material) with enteric coating materials. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of each material - parylene's moisture resistance and enteric coating's dissolution characteristics - to achieve both improved moisture protection and controlled payload release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If additional drying process is applied after filling to reduce moisture content, then moisture protection is improved, but production time increases and overall yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidproduction yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The parylene moisture-barrier layer is deposited on the mold before the capsule filling process. This preliminary action provides moisture protection in advance, eliminating the need for additional drying processes after filling and thereby maintaining high production yield while ensuring moisture protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the moisture protection function from the post-filling drying process and integrates it into the capsule structure itself through the parylene layer. This extraction eliminates the separate drying step, resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and production productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If enteric coating is applied to prevent gastric dissolution, then payload stability in stomach is improved, but residue is left that interferes with mechanical actuator deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload stabilityVSAvoidresidue interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the harmful residue property from the enteric coating by selecting coating materials that dissolve completely without leaving residue. This extraction maintains the beneficial gastric protection function while eliminating the harmful residue interference with mechanical actuator deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters of the enteric coating to achieve complete dissolution without residue. By selecting specific enteric coating materials with appropriate dissolution characteristics, the coating provides gastric protection while fully dissolving to prevent interference with payload deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 capsules provide enhanced protection against moisture and vapor ingress, ensuring payload stability and enabling efficient deployment of mechanical actuators, such as microneedles, within the gastrointestinal tract.

Implementation Method 1

the capsule may include a moisture-barrier layer that prevents moisture from entering interior volume of the capsule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier:

Implementation Method 2

The capsules described herein also include an enteric coating that leaves little or no residue when dissolved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Implementation Method 3

depositing the parylene layer comprises chemical vapor deposition of parylene on the mold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 4

treating an outer surface of the parylene layer with oxygen plasma prior to coating with the polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma treatment: Plasma

Data Source

PatentEP4717263A2Drug delivery vehicles, methods of producing drug delivery vehicles, and methods of using drug delivery vehicles

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 VERILY HEALTH INC

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AI summary

The present disclosure is related to a method of producing a capsule. The method includes providing a mold, depositing parylene on the mold to form a parylene layer, scoring the parylene layer, and coating the parylene layer with a polymer to produce a capsule.