Water-Soluble Adhesive Layer for Multilayer Oral Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multilayer oral active ingredient films face issues with thermal and chemical stress exposure of active ingredients due to multiple coatings, instability, and propagation of errors in layer production, leading to potential disintegration and inefficiencies in production.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer oral active ingredient film comprising non-adhesive layers with hydrophilic polymers and a water-soluble adhesive layer containing a water-soluble polymer and plasticizer, where the adhesive layer is placed between non-adhesive layers to create a stable bond without exposing the active ingredient to multiple stresses, allowing for separate production and storage of layers for modular assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple layers are applied sequentially by laminating additional layers onto an existing one, then multilayered drug films can be produced, but the pharmaceutically active ingredient is subjected to greater thermal and chemical stress due to the multiple coatings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultilayer film productionVSAvoidthermal and chemical stress on active ingredient
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-forming separate layers (including the active ingredient layer) before final assembly. Each layer is prepared independently with optimal processing conditions, then bonded together using a heat-activatable adhesive applied only to the bonding surfaces. This avoids subjecting the active ingredient to repeated thermal and chemical stress from multiple coating operations, while still enabling multilayer film production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple layers are applied sequentially by laminating additional layers onto an existing one, then multilayered drug films can be produced, but a composite formed by applying a layer to an existing one is often unstable and can easily deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultilayer film productionVSAvoidstability of multilayer composite
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the adhesive function from the layer materials themselves and places it in a separate, dedicated adhesive layer. This adhesive layer contains specific adhesive agents that are activated by heat to create strong bonds between layers. By separating the adhesive function, the structure becomes more stable and less prone to deterioration compared to relying on the inherent adhesive properties of the layer materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple layers are applied sequentially by laminating additional layers onto an existing one, then multilayered drug films can be produced, but any defects in the coating, especially incorrect basis weights, are propagated by subsequent coatings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultilayer film productionVSAvoidbasis weight accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the multilayer film production into independent layer preparations followed by assembly. Each layer is formed separately with controlled basis weight, then bonded together using an adhesive layer. This segmentation prevents defect propagation because each layer can be optimized and controlled independently, and errors in one layer do not affect the others during the lamination process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Quantity of substance

If a single layer with high basis weight is produced, then the drug film can achieve required thickness, but the drying time becomes significantly longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebasis weightVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments a high basis weight film into multiple thinner layers bonded together. Each thin layer has reduced drying time compared to a single thick layer, while the total basis weight is achieved through the combination of multiple layers. The adhesive layer bonds these thin layers together to create the equivalent of a single thick film with much faster overall production time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution ensures a stable, non-sticky film that dissolves in the oral cavity, reduces drying time, and allows for diverse combinations of layers, enhancing the production efficiency and stability of the active ingredient delivery system.

Implementation Method 1

at least one water-soluble polymer and at least one plasticizer, wherein the at least one water-soluble polymer and the at least one plasticizer form a sticky mass

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

each containing at least one hydrophilic polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilicity: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 3

wherein the at least two non-adhesive layers and the at least one water-soluble adhesive layer alternate such that the at least one water-soluble adhesive layer is covered on both sides by at least one non-adhesive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3713542B1Water-soluble polymer adhesive layers
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 LTS LOHMANN THERAPIE SYST AG

AI summary

Disclosed is a multi-layer oral film comprising at least two non-adhesive layers each containing at least one hydrophobic polymer, and at least one water-soluble adhesive layer containing at least one water-soluble polymer and at least one plasticizer, wherein at least one of the at least two non-adhesive layers and/or the at least one water-soluble adhesive layer contains a pharmaceutically active substance and the at least two non-adhesive layers and the at least one water-soluble adhesive layer alternate in such a way that the at least one water-soluble adhesive layer is covered on both sides by at least one non-adhesive layer.