Skin Patch with Foam Ring for Adhesion and Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skin patches for delivering biologically active substances face issues with inconsistent adhesion, premature detachment, and resistance to rubbing, which affects the reliability and effectiveness of epicutaneous immunotherapy and allergy testing.
Innovation Solution
A patch design featuring a substrate with a biologically active substance, a foam ring with adhesive, a breathable film, and a paper applicator with a V-shaped notch, which improves adhesion and resistance to detachment by reducing friction and shear forces, ensuring consistent delivery over extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patch uses adhesive to attach to the skin, then adhesion is improved, but the patch may still detach prematurely due to friction and shear forces from garment rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is divided into distinct functional layers: a breathable film layer for adhesion to the skin, a substrate layer containing the active substance, and a foam ring for occlusive chamber formation. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, with the breathable film providing consistent adhesion while the foam ring provides structural support and occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch uses composite material structures, particularly the combination of breathable film material with adhesive properties, and the foam ring material that provides both occlusion and adhesion. The breathable film itself is a composite structure that combines permeability for skin breathing with adhesive properties for secure attachment.
2Strength
If the patch adhesive area is increased to improve adhesion, then attachment strength is improved, but the patch becomes more complex and harder to apply
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive function is segmented into two distinct components: adhesive on the breathable film for skin attachment, and adhesive on the foam ring for sealing the occlusive chamber. This segmentation allows each adhesive application to be optimized for its specific purpose while keeping the overall structure manageable and simple to apply.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable film serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the adhesive interface for skin attachment, allows breathability for comfort, and supports the substrate with active substance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall patch structure.
3Ease of operation
If the patch structure is simplified for easier application, then ease of operation is improved, but adhesion consistency and resistance to detachment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is pre-applied to the breathable film and foam ring during manufacturing, eliminating the need for users to apply adhesive themselves. The patch is pre-assembled with all components in their correct positions, requiring only simple placement and pressing actions from the user while ensuring consistent adhesion performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch structure is designed to be self-aligning and self-adhering. The breathable film with adhesive automatically bonds to the skin upon contact, and the foam ring with adhesive seals itself around the substrate, requiring minimal user intervention while ensuring reliable adhesion and occlusion.
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 patch design enhances long-term adhesion, reduces premature detachment, and improves resistance to garment-induced friction, facilitating consistent and reliable delivery of active substances through the skin, thereby improving the efficacy of epicutaneous immunotherapy and allergy testing.
Implementation Method 1
perspiration from the skin subject condenses within the chamber and solubilizes the solid deposit of allergen
Implementation Method 2
the central portion of the support forms an occlusive or condensation chamber
Implementation Method 3
a first layer of adhesive disposed on the first skin-facing surface of the foam ring... a second layer of adhesive disposed on the second skin-facing surface of the breathable film
Implementation Method 4
a breathable film disposed over the substrate... having an exterior surface, a second skin-facing surface opposed to the exterior surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a patch for administering an active substance to the skin of a subject. The present patches simplify manufacture and improve reproducibility of results, facilitate, and enhance the consistency of application of the patches to a subject, and demonstrate improved initial and long-term adhesion with reduced risk of premature detachment.