Non-biological Skin Model with Tunable Lipid Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-biological skin models lack versatility and tunability, failing to accurately mimic human skin surface properties and topography, which hinders the study of skin interactions with cosmetic products and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A non-biological skin model comprising a polymeric material with a specific lipid composition, replicating skin surface topography and physico-chemistry, with a surface concentration of the lipid composition between 500 μg/cm2 and 2500 μg/cm2, allowing for controlled and tunable skin-like properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-biological skin models are used to simplify skin surface study, then ease of operation and cost are improved, but accuracy in mimicking skin surface properties and topography deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the lipid composition (ratios of free fatty acids, triglycerides, wax esters, squalene, and cholesterol) and controlling the surface concentration (500-2500 μg/cm²) to optimize the mimicry of skin surface free energy and topography, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining polymeric material with specific lipid compositions to create a non-biological skin model that reproduces both skin surface topography and free energy characteristics, achieving high accuracy without the complexity and cost of biological models
2Ease of operation
If commercial non-biological skin models are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability and tunability deteriorate due to unknown and unchangeable composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lipid composition tunable and adjustable, allowing researchers to modify the ratios of different lipid components and surface concentration to match various skin types and conditions, thereby achieving high adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through standardized preparation methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by creating a versatile non-biological skin model platform that can be configured for different skin surface conditions through lipid composition adjustment, enabling multiple applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical testing without requiring different commercial products
3Measurement precision
If reconstructed human skin models are used to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and reproducing only the essential surface properties of skin (topography and free energy through lipid composition) without requiring the complex multi-layer structure of reconstructed human skin, thereby achieving sufficient measurement precision with reduced device complexity
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 model effectively mimics human skin surface properties, enhancing the understanding of skin micro-relief impact on physico-chemistry and interactions with cosmetic products, while being cost-effective and easy to handle, offering a reliable alternative to expensive and limited-life human skin models.
Implementation Method 1
a non-biological skin model comprising a polymeric material reproducing skin surface topography
Implementation Method 2
coated with a lipid composition in order to reproduce skin surface free energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-biological skin model comprising a polymeric material reproducing skin surface topography that is coated with a lipid composition, wherein the polymeric material is a material having a surface free energy (γ) of between 14 and 60 mJ/m2, wherein the lipid composition comprises from 14% to 60% of triglycerides, from 2% to 40% of free fatty acids, from 4% to 30% of wax esters, from 3% to 20% of squalene, and from 1% to 10% of cholesterol, and wherein the surface concentration of the lipid composition on the polymeric material is between 500 μg/cm2 and 2500 μg/cm2. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing said non-biological skin model and to its use for evaluating cosmetic products performance or for evaluating the effect of pollution on skin surface properties.