PHMB Wound Formulation with Poloxamer Surfactants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wound treatment formulations with Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) face issues such as high toxicity of surfactants, inactivation of microbicidal agents, pH-dependent surface activity, and negative effects from amphoteric surfactants, which hinder effective wound healing and protection.

Innovation Solution

A formulation combining PHMB with amphiphilic, non-toxic, and non-ionic tri-blockcopolymers like poloxamers, which maintain efficacy across varying pH levels and reduce cytotoxicity, along with herbal extracts like Comfrey and Myrrh for enhanced wound healing and antimicrobial properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional surfactants (anionic or amphoteric) are used in PHMB formulations, then cleaning and surface activity are improved, but cytotoxicity increases and microbicidal activity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the surfactant from anionic or amphoteric to non-ionic type, specifically using tri-block copolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating cytotoxicity and preserving PHMB's microbicidal activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation uses a composite system combining PHMB with non-ionic tri-block copolymer surfactants. The hydrophilic block (e.g., polyethylene oxide) and hydrophobic block (e.g., polypropylene oxide) work synergistically to provide cleaning action without the harmful effects of conventional surfactants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If anionic surfactants are used with PHMB, then surface activity is enhanced, but microbicidal activity of PHMB is inactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface activityVSAvoidmicrobicidal activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the charge parameter of the surfactant from anionic to non-ionic. This prevents electrostatic interaction and complex formation between the surfactant and PHMB, thereby maintaining PHMB's microbicidal activity while still providing adequate surface activity for wound cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If amphoteric surfactants are used in wound treatment formulations, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but negative effects on further wound treatment occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcompatibility with further treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surfactant type from amphoteric to non-ionic tri-block copolymers. This parameter change eliminates the negative effects on further wound treatment while maintaining effective cleaning capabilities through the amphiphilic nature of the non-ionic surfactant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If fully synthetic ingredients are used in wound treatment formulations, then microbicidal activity is achieved, but systemic toxicity risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobicidal activityVSAvoidsystemic toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite formulation with PHMB combined with non-ionic tri-block copolymer surfactants. This composite approach provides effective microbicidal activity while the non-ionic nature and specific molecular structure reduce systemic absorption and toxicity risks compared to conventional synthetic surfactants.

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 formulation effectively decolonizes pathogens like MRSA and VRE, promotes wound healing by maintaining antimicrobial activity and reducing cytotoxicity, and supports tissue regeneration without adverse effects on human tissue.

Implementation Method 1

Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

removal of the layers on the wound surface and cleaning and disinfection of the wound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCleaning action:

Implementation Method 3

PHMB is a suitable compound as a microbicide substance with good tissue tolerance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrobicidal activity:

Data Source

PatentUS10568966B2Formulation for topical wound treatment

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 AHMET KILIC

AI summary

The present invention relates to new formulations, particularly useful in the topical treatment of skin and oromucosal wounds. Formulations can be either a solution or a gel form consisting of a Polyhexamethylene biguanide as an antimicrobial agent, purified water and a tri-blockcopolymer, particularly a triblockcopolymer of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, and more particularly a poloxamer.