Encapsulated THC Particles via Solvent Migration for Non-Tacky Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral dosage forms of cannabinoids, particularly THC, face challenges such as reproducibility, stability issues, and tackiness, making it difficult to achieve consistent and long-lasting formulations suitable for pharmaceutical use.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the encapsulation of THC using a solvent with specific water solubility and a shell-forming component like C10-C30 fatty alcohols or acids, forming droplets that migrate to form solid particles with a shell encapsulating the cannabinoid core, reducing tackiness and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional oral dosage forms are used, then cannabinoid delivery is possible, but the formulations are tacky and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a lipid-based shell (phospholipid bilayer) that encapsulates the THC core. This shell provides a non-tacky outer surface while maintaining the cannabinoid content inside, solving the handling problem without compromising the active ingredient delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite particle structure combining THC (active ingredient) with phospholipids (shell material). This composite approach allows the particle to have both the desired cannabinoid content and improved physical properties (non-tacky surface) through the combination of materials with different characteristics.
2Reliability
If conventional oral dosage forms are used, then cannabinoid delivery is possible, but the formulations lack stability and have short shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The phospholipid shell acts as a protective barrier that isolates THC from environmental factors such as light, air, and moisture. This encapsulation prevents degradation of the cannabinoid, significantly improving stability and extending shelf life compared to conventional unencapsulated formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The phospholipid shell serves as an intermediary between the THC core and the external environment. This intermediate layer protects the sensitive cannabinoid from direct exposure to degrading conditions while maintaining the integrity of the active ingredient over time.
3Measurement precision
If smoking cannabis is used, then immediate effect is achieved, but exact dosage control is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cannabinoid material into discrete, countable particles with standardized sizes and cannabinoid contents. This segmentation allows for precise dosage control by counting or weighing individual particles, enabling accurate dosing that is not achievable with smoked cannabis where dosage varies with each inhalation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If whole-plant cannabis extracts are used, then medicinal complexity is achieved, but reproducible preparation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates specific cannabinoids (such as THC) from the complex plant material and incorporates them into the particle formulation. This extraction approach maintains the active medicinal components while eliminating the variability introduced by whole-plant extracts, enabling reproducible preparation with consistent cannabinoid content.
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 method results in non-tacky, stable THC particles with high encapsulation efficiency, enabling the production of a pharmaceutical base product with consistent cannabinoid delivery and extended shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
generating droplets of the solution in an aqueous medium and allowing the solvent to migrate from the droplets to the aqueous medium to thereby form solid particles
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to process for preparing cannabinoid-containing particles, wherein first a solution is provided wherein the solvent has a water solubility in the range of 2-100 g/L at 25° C. and wherein the solution comprises 1) a cannabis component comprising THC; and 2) a shell-forming component comprising one or more compounds selected from the group of C10-C30 fatty alcohols, C10-C30 fatty acids and esters of C10-C30 fatty alcohols and C10-C30 fatty acids. Then, droplets of the solution are generated in an aqueous medium and the solvent is allowed to migrate from the droplets to the aqueous medium to thereby form solid particles wherein a shell of shell-forming component encapsulates the cannabis component.