Highly-Swellable Polymeric Films for Ingestible Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ingestible compositions face quality degradation due to exposure to humidity, elevated temperatures, and microorganisms during storage and manufacturing, affecting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Development of highly-swellable polymeric films that rapidly swell upon contact with an aqueous medium, absorbing significant water without disintegrating, and can be used to coat ingestible components, such as event markers, to enhance storage stability and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If ingestible compositions are stored during manufacturing and distribution, then they can be delivered to end-users, but quality degradation occurs due to exposure to humidity, elevated temperatures, and microorganisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating protective measures during the manufacturing and storage phases to prevent quality degradation before it occurs. The ingestible composition is formulated with protective components and packaging that preemptively counteract the effects of humidity, temperature, and microorganisms during storage and distribution, thereby maintaining quality stability over extended storage durations.
2Speed
If polymeric films are designed to swell rapidly for functionality, then they can activate ingestible components, but they may disintegrate and compromise structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the physical and chemical parameters of the polymeric film, including cross-linking density, molecular weight, and composition ratios. These parameter adjustments enable the film to achieve rapid swelling through controlled water absorption while simultaneously maintaining sufficient structural integrity to prevent disintegration and protect the embedded ingestible components.
3Quantity of substance
If polymeric films absorb large amounts of water to swell, then they can activate components, but they may compromise the stability of the ingestible composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing controlled porosity and hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance in the polymeric film structure. This intermediary design allows the film to absorb sufficient water for swelling and component activation while maintaining a stable matrix that prevents excessive water penetration into the ingestible composition, thereby preserving composition stability.
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 highly-swellable polymeric films significantly improve the shelf-life stability of ingestible compositions by preventing degradation and ensuring the integrity and functionality of coated components, maintaining effectiveness over extended storage periods.
Implementation Method 1
the film is configured to absorb 10 g or more of water per gram of film upon contact with an aqueous medium
Implementation Method 2
Highly-swellable polymeric films are provided. Aspects also include ingestible compositions that include the highly-swellable polymeric film
Data Source
AI summary
Highly-swellable polymeric films are provided. Aspects also include ingestible compositions that include the highly-swellable polymeric film and an ingestible component. Aspects further include methods of making and using the compositions.