Spray Delivery System Viscosity Control for Uniform Skin Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing topical treatments for skin conditions such as rashes, ulcers, and wounds face challenges with viscosity issues, leading to clogging and uneven application, and existing sprayable compositions often result in runny products that fail to provide a uniform coating.
Innovation Solution
A spray delivery system utilizing a hydrofluoro-based propellant, carrier fluid, and active agent particles with controlled viscosity (500-10,000 centipoise) and specific gravity ratio (0.7-1.6) to maintain homogeneous distribution, preventing settling and clogging, and using a non-mechanical breakup actuator with optimized orifice diameters to ensure even spraying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the viscosity of the sprayable composition is increased to provide even coating on skin, then the composition can coat skin more effectively, but the composition becomes difficult to spray and may clog valves and nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the viscosity of the sprayable composition within a specific range (500-10,000 centipoise) and adjusting the specific gravity ratio of propellant to composition (0.7-1.6). These parameter optimizations enable the composition to be sprayed effectively while maintaining sufficient viscosity for even skin coating, resolving the contradiction between sprayability and coating quality.
2Ease of operation
If the viscosity of the sprayable composition is decreased to improve sprayability, then the composition can be sprayed easily, but the composition becomes runny and fails to evenly coat the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing an optimal viscosity range (500-10,000 centipoise) and specific gravity ratio (0.7-1.6). This parameter control prevents the composition from being too runny while ensuring it remains sprayable, achieving both easy application and uniform coating distribution on the skin.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the active agent particles are allowed to settle in the container, then the composition can be stored, but the particles cake at the bottom and cannot be delivered uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by optimizing the specific gravity ratio of propellant to sprayable composition (0.7-1.6). This parameter control creates sufficient suspension force to prevent active agent particles from settling and caking during storage, while maintaining composition stability. The result is uniform particle distribution that ensures consistent active agent delivery with each spray.
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 system provides a stable, evenly sprayed composition that effectively coats the skin without clogging, ensuring a uniform distribution of active agents and preventing discomfort during application.
Implementation Method 1
the ratio of the specific gravity of the propellant to the specific gravity of the sprayable composition can be from about 0.7 to about 1.6, which can prevent settling of the active agent particles in the sprayable composition
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A spray delivery system including a sprayable active agent composition housed within a container is provided that can be used in the treatment of various skin conditions. The composition includes a hydrofluoro-based propellant, a carrier fluid, and active agent particles, and has a viscosity ranging from about 500 centipoise to about 10,000 centipoise. The container includes a dip tube; a valve assembly that includes a valve body, a stem comprising a stem orifice, and a vapor tap; and an actuator. The dip tube is coupled to the actuator by the valve assembly, and the actuator is depressed to dispense the emulsion. By selectively controlling the components and viscosity of the composition and the dimensions of the container components, the active agent particles resist settling so a substantially homogeneous distribution of the particles is maintained. Thus, the composition can be evenly dispensed from the container as a fine mist without clogging.