Topical Sunscreen with Vitamin D for UV Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sun-protecting formulations that block UV rays also reduce natural vitamin D production, leading to vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and there is a lack of effective solutions to maintain adequate systemic vitamin D levels while protecting against UV radiation.
Innovation Solution
Topical sun-protecting formulations that include a therapeutically effective amount of vitamin D, combined with sun-protecting agents, to compensate for reduced vitamin D production and treat or prevent vitamin D-related disorders and diseases, administered through a pharmaceutical carrier for topical application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sun-protecting formulations with high SPF are used to block UV radiation, then protection against skin cancer and UV damage is improved, but natural vitamin D production is reduced leading to vitamin D deficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of UV blocking into a beneficial outcome by formulating sunscreens that not only block UV radiation but also provide therapeutic vitamin D to compensate for the blocked natural production. The harmful UV blocking is paired with a beneficial vitamin D delivery system, turning the trade-off into a dual-benefit formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of vitamin D in the sunscreen formulation to therapeutically effective levels (e.g., 1000-10000 IU per application). This parameter change ensures that even though natural vitamin D production is blocked, the exogenous vitamin D in the formulation compensates and maintains adequate serum vitamin D levels.
2Quantity of substance
If sun exposure is increased to maintain natural vitamin D production, then vitamin D levels are improved, but skin cancer risk and UV damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vitamin D acquisition process from UV exposure by delivering vitamin D topically through sunscreen formulation rather than relying on UV-induced synthesis. This separation allows vitamin D benefit without the harmful UV exposure, effectively decoupling the beneficial effect from the harmful mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces topical vitamin D as an intermediary substance that mediates between the need for vitamin D and the desire to avoid UV exposure. Instead of using UV radiation as the delivery mechanism for vitamin D, the formulation uses direct topical application, serving as an intermediary that bypasses the harmful UV step.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sunscreens with SPF 8 or higher are used to protect against UV rays, then UV protection is improved, but vitamin D producing UV rays are blocked interfering with natural vitamin D production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate functions into one formulation: UV protection and vitamin D supplementation. By combining high SPF sun-protecting agents with therapeutically effective vitamin D in a single sunscreen product, the formulation simultaneously provides both UV blocking and vitamin D maintenance, eliminating the need to choose between the two functions.
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
These formulations effectively increase serum vitamin D levels, addressing deficiencies and insufficiencies, and prevent associated disorders while providing protection against UV radiation, allowing individuals to engage in outdoor activities without compromising vitamin D levels.
Implementation Method 1
sun-protecting formulations that block UV rays
Implementation Method 2
topical sun-protecting formulations that include therapeutically effective amounts of vitamin D for supplementing vitamin D
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns topical sun-protecting formulations including therapeutically effective amounts of Vitamin D, including formulations that provide Vitamin D in bioavailable amounts that correspond to decreased natural Vitamin D production resulting from the sun-blocking effects of the formulations and formulations for the prevention and treatment of disorders and disease states associated with vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency.