Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Gel for Force-Free Active Ingredient Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional skin application products require external force to release active ingredients, which can strain sensitive skin, and there is a need for a method to release active ingredients in response to body sites, temperature, or stimuli without applying force.
Innovation Solution
The use of a stimuli-responsive polymer gel that reversibly changes from hydrophilic to hydrophobic in response to external stimuli, such as temperature or light, allowing for the absorption and release of active ingredients without external force, by forming an interpenetrating or semi-interpenetrating polymer network with a hydrophilic polymer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional impregnation material is used, then the liquid component can be applied to the skin, but external force must be applied to press or rub the material against the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing temperature-induced hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity transitions in the polymer gel. At lower temperatures, the gel is hydrophilic and absorbs liquid components; at body temperature or higher, it becomes hydrophobic and releases the liquid. This thermal parameter change enables automatic release without mechanical pressure, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and skin strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions of the polymer gel between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states in response to temperature changes. This phase transition mechanism allows the gel to automatically switch between absorbing and releasing modes, eliminating the need for external pressing force and thereby reducing skin strain while maintaining ease of application.
2Productivity
If external force is applied to release the liquid component, then the active ingredient can be delivered to the skin, but the sensitive skin is strained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the polymer gel to automatically release the liquid component in response to body temperature without requiring external mechanical force. The gel senses the temperature change and autonomously transitions from hydrophilic to hydrophobic state, delivering the active ingredient to the skin naturally and thereby eliminating skin strain while maintaining delivery effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system (external pressing or rubbing force) with a thermal-field-based mechanism. Instead of using mechanical force to release the liquid component, the system uses temperature-induced polymer conformation changes to achieve automatic release, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical action on the skin and reducing skin strain.
3Ease of operation
If the impregnation material is designed to release active ingredient automatically, then external force is reduced, but the control over release timing and location becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes through temperature-dependent hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity transitions to achieve automatic release. By selecting polymers with specific transition temperatures and controlling the gel's thermal history, the release timing and location can be predicted and controlled without complex mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while enabling automated delivery.
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
Enables the release of active ingredients in response to body temperature or stimuli, reducing the need for external force and minimizing skin strain, while allowing for controlled and efficient application of cosmetic or medicinal ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
a stimuli-responsive polymer that reversibly changes to being hydrophilic and to being hydrophobic in response to an external stimulus
Implementation Method 2
absorbing the active ingredient in a state where a degree of an external stimulus is less than a predetermined level, while releasing the active ingredient in a state where the degree of the external stimulus is the level or greater
Data Source
AI summary
An application member includes a stimuli-responsive polymer that reversibly changes to being hydrophilic and to being hydrophobic in response to an external stimulus to allow impregnation and release of an active ingredient to be applied to the skin.