W/O Emulsion Particle Formation for Bioactivity and Sustained Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing particles with physiologically active substances fail to maintain high bioactivity and achieve sustained release effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a W/O emulsion by mixing a solution containing a physiologically active substance in Solvent A with a solution containing a base material and surfactant in Solvent B, where Solvents A and B are immiscible, followed by droplet formation and drying to produce particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid drying or spray drying methods are used to integrate physiologically active substance with functional base material, then particles can be produced, but the bioactivity of the polymer compound is lost and sustained-release effect is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebioactivity maintenanceVSAvoidparticle production
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the solvent system by selecting specific organic solvents (ethyl acetate, ethyl methyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate) that can dissolve both the polymer compound and base material while maintaining the polymer's bioactivity. This parameter change enables particle production through solvent evaporation without the harsh conditions that would denature the polymer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite particle system where the physiologically active polymer compound and functional base material are integrated into a single particle structure. The composite particles maintain the bioactivity of the polymer while incorporating the functional properties of the base material, achieving both ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If high concentration of polymer compound is used in particles, then sustained-release effect is improved, but the production method becomes more difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustained-release durationVSAvoidproduction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention controls the concentration parameter of the polymer compound in the range of 1-50 wt% within the particles, optimizing both sustained-release duration and production controllability. The specific solvent system enables precise control of polymer concentration during particle formation, allowing high concentration incorporation while maintaining ease of production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention achieves localized high concentration of polymer compound within specific regions of the particles while maintaining overall production controllability. The solvent system allows differential distribution of polymer and base material, creating local high-concentration zones that enhance sustained-release without complicating the overall production process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables the production of particles with high polymer compound concentration and sustained-release properties while maintaining bioactivity.

Implementation Method 1

drying the droplets to form the particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4121015B1Method for producing particles
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4121015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4121015B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4121015B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a method for producing particles including: preparing a dispersion liquid with Liquid A and Liquid B, where Liquid A is a solution containing a physiologically active substance, and Liquid B is a solution containing a base material and a surfactant; and forming particles from the dispersion liquid.