Low friction core-shell nanofibrous membranes for delivery of active ingredients to the wet skin
Inventors
TONG, Ho Wang • KWOK, Connie Sau Kuen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10603230-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A membrane for skin comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers is provided in the present invention, where each of said core-shell nanofibers comprises at least an active-ingredient-loaded polymeric core and a non-polymeric shell consisting of active ingredients only surrounding the core. Related fabrication method of said membrane is also provided in the present invention.
Core Innovation
A membrane comprises a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers in which each core-shell nanofiber includes a non-polymeric nanofiber shell and a polymeric nanofiber core. The non-polymeric nanofiber shell is composed of one or more active ingredients and remains intact under a dry condition but is instantly dissolvable under a wet condition.
The polymeric nanofiber core comprises a polymer incorporated with one or more active ingredients and remains intact under either a dry or wet condition while releasing the active ingredients in a controlled release manner when the nanofiber shell is dissolved. The active ingredients located in both the non-polymeric nanofiber shell and the polymeric nanofiber core are small molecules having a molecular weight of 400 Da or below.
The membrane is characterized by the requirement that it shifts with a shearing force of 500 mN or below when the non-polymeric nanofiber shell is substantially dissolved during contact with a wet skin. The disclosed embodiments further include one-step free-surface/needle-less electrospinning for forming the randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers, with simultaneous deposition of a polymer-active core and an active-ingredient-only shell.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set covers a core-shell membrane with randomly oriented nanofibers featuring a non-polymeric active-ingredient shell that is intact when dry but instantly dissolvable on wet skin, and a polymeric core that remains intact and provides controlled sequential release after shell dissolution. The independent claim further limits active ingredients to small molecules of molecular weight 400 Da or below and requires a low shearing-force shift of 500 mN or below upon substantially dissolved shell contact with wet skin.
Randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers
A membrane comprising a plurality of randomly oriented core-shell nanofibers, wherein each core-shell nanofiber comprises a non-polymeric nanofiber shell and a polymeric nanofiber core.
Non-polymeric shell instant wet dissolution with dry integrity
A non-polymeric nanofiber shell composed of one or more active ingredients that remains intact under a dry condition but is instantly dissolvable under a wet condition.
Polymeric core controlled release after shell dissolution
A polymeric nanofiber core comprising a polymer incorporated with one or more active ingredients that remains intact under either a dry or wet condition but is able to release the one or more active ingredients in a controlled release manner when the nanofiber shell is dissolved.
Small-molecule active ingredients limited by molecular weight
One or more active ingredients in any of the non-polymeric nanofiber shell and the polymeric nanofiber core are small molecules having a molecular weight of 400 Da or below.
Low shearing-force shifting upon shell substantially dissolved on wet skin
The membrane is shifted with a shearing force of 500 mN or below when the non-polymeric nanofiber shell of the membrane is substantially dissolved during contact with a wet skin.
Overall, the independent claim coverage centers on a randomly oriented core-shell nanofiber membrane combining an instantly dissolvable non-polymeric active-ingredient shell under wet conditions with a polymeric core that remains intact and enables controlled release after shell dissolution, with small-molecule actives and a low shearing-force shift requirement upon wet-shell dissolution.
Stated Advantages
Reduced membrane-skin friction.
Improved skin contact and penetration.
Minimized diaper rewet.
Preservative-free.
Documented Applications
Hygiene product membranes, including superabsorbent polymer diapers, used in diaper prototypes to minimize rewet.
Skin mask types including facial, eye, hand, lip, and neck membranes.
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