Zinc Antimicrobial Clay Composition for Prolonged Oral Surface Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral care compositions provide only short-term antimicrobial benefits due to rapid dilution of active ingredients in the mouth, failing to effectively inhibit bacterial growth and control malodor over a prolonged period.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic combination of bipolar antimicrobial particles with quaternary ammonium compounds attached to clay sheets and zinc compounds, such as zinc sulfate, is used in oral care compositions to enhance antimicrobial efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional antimicrobial agents are used in oral care compositions, then immediate antimicrobial effect is achieved, but the effect duration is short due to rapid dilution and removal of active ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial agent is segmented into two functional components: a binding component that attaches to oral surfaces and a zinc component that provides antimicrobial activity. This segmentation allows the binding component to remain anchored while the zinc component is released and regenerated, extending the duration of action without requiring continuous high concentrations of active ingredient.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding component performs preliminary action by first binding to oral surfaces (teeth, gums, tongue) before the zinc component is released. This preliminary anchoring ensures that the antimicrobial activity is delivered precisely where needed and remains localized, preventing systemic dilution and maintaining effective concentration at the target site for an extended period.
2Duration of action of moving object
If high concentration of active ingredient is used to maintain prolonged effect, then duration of action is extended, but the risk of adverse effects and irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the delivery parameters of the zinc component by using a controlled release mechanism. Instead of applying high concentration directly, the zinc is released gradually from the binding component at the oral surface, maintaining therapeutic levels while avoiding peak concentrations that cause irritation. This parameter change in release kinetics extends duration without increasing adverse effects.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional toothpaste formulations are used, then immediate malodor neutralization is achieved, but long-term malodor control is ineffective due to rapid removal of active ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The binding component serves itself by automatically binding to oral surfaces and creating a localized reservoir for zinc release. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous application or high concentration formulations, as the bound complex continuously releases and regenerates zinc at the oral surface, providing sustained malodor control without rapid loss of activity.
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 combination provides prolonged antimicrobial benefits by ensuring effective binding and retention of the active agents on oral surfaces, reducing malodor and improving oral hygiene over an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
an antibacterial agent attached to the coordinating cation on one of the said external surface plane, where the antibacterial agent is a quaternary ammonium compound
Implementation Method 2
0.001 to 10 wt% of a compound of zinc, wherein the median diameter of said particles (D50) is 0.1 to 10 μm, wherein said compound of zinc is zinc sulphate, zinc chloride, zinc nitrate, zinc citrate, zinc oxide, zinc lactate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycinate, zinc oleate, zinc hydroxide or zinc peroxide
Implementation Method 3
The combination provides prolonged antimicrobial benefits by ensuring effective binding and retention of the active agents on oral surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a composition comprising: (i) 0.1 to 10 wt% of a bipolar antimicrobial particle whose precursor is an asymmetric 1:1 or 2:1:1 clay particle comprising alternating tetrahedral and octahedral sheets terminating with a tetrahedral sheet at one external surface plane and an octahedral sheet at another external surface plane with an antibacterial agent attached to the coordinating cation on one of the said external surface plane, where the antibacterial agent is a quaternary ammonium compound; and, (ii) 0.001 to 10 wt% of a compound of zinc, wherein the median diameter of said particles (D50) is 0.1 to 10 µm.