Two-Part pH-Neutral Clay Delivery for Shelf-Stable Antimicrobial Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current clay-based antimicrobial treatments are not effectively delivered in stable systems, leading to rapid activation and limited use, and there is a need for bedside-ready solutions to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA and other pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A two-part clay delivery system comprising a first part with clay, a suspending agent, and a nonionic block EO-PO copolymer, and a second part with a pH-neutral water-based system, allowing controlled release and activation of clay for enhanced delivery to tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clay is mixed with water to form a paste for external application, then the antimicrobial activity is activated, but the activity is exhausted within about 24 hours, significantly limiting its use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the clay delivery system into two separate parts: a first part containing clay and a second part containing water-based vehicle. The parts are kept separate until application, allowing the clay to remain stable and active for extended periods without premature activation, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining stability and ensuring prolonged antimicrobial activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water-based vehicle with controlled release properties as an intermediary between the clay and the body. This vehicle system controls the release rate of clay particles, preventing rapid exhaustion of antimicrobial activity while maintaining stability during storage and transport.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional clay applications are used, then the system is simple, but the clay activates rapidly and is not shelf-stable for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into separate compartments or containers for the clay and water-based vehicle, preventing premature mixing and activation. This segmentation enables extended shelf stability while the system remains relatively simple to manufacture and store.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary stabilization of the clay by formulating it in a specific carrier system before application. This preliminary action prepares the clay for long-term storage while ensuring rapid and controlled activation upon contact with the water-based vehicle during application.
3Stability of the object's composition
If clay is delivered in a stable system, then shelf stability is improved, but the release and activation of clay is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The water-based vehicle acts as an intermediary that controls the release kinetics of clay particles. It maintains stability during storage but enables controlled, accelerated release upon application through factors such as pH changes, temperature, or mechanical disruption, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and activation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes such as pH, temperature, or ionic strength upon contact between the two parts to trigger rapid clay activation. These parameter changes occur only during application, not during storage, allowing the system to maintain stability while enabling fast activation when needed.
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 stable, shelf-stable compositions that accelerate clay activation and delivery, effectively treating infections while reducing antibiotic resistance and maintaining efficacy for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
accelerate the release of the clay into the water system for activation and delivery
Implementation Method 2
delivery that is enhanced by the poloxamers onto a tissue of the body
Data Source
AI summary
Clay delivery systems for providing antimicrobial compositions are provided. The delivery systems include a two-part active excipient system that delivers clay for various applications of use, including topical applications. The two-part delivery system can include a first part comprising suspending agent(s), poloxamer and optionally a gellant, and a second part that is simultaneously delivered therewith comprising one or more nonionic EO-PO block copolymers in a water-based system. The delivery systems beneficially provide clays in a stable system that also unexpectedly accelerate the release of the clay into the water system for activation and delivery that is enhanced by the poloxamers into the tissue or organ of the body in need of treatment thereof.