Patent Application
20080081797
Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Glycerin (INCI name: Glycerin) is a non-irritating humectant and film former. It is also water soluble. Moreover, glycerin is compatible with latex products and provides extended lubricity, which makes it a common base for many products designed for genital use. While glycerin is the preferred skin protectant composition of the present invention, other suitable skin protectant compositions and their amounts effective to provide skin protection as listed in Table 1 above could be used herein (e.g., Dimethicone).
TEFOSE 63 is a PEG (polyethylene glycol) palmito-stearate, non-ionic base for O/W (oil-in-water) formulations (a product of Gattefosse Corp., Hawthorne, N.Y., USA); INCI name: PEG-6 stearate/glycol stearate/PEG-32. Although the use of TEFOSE 63 is preferred, it is contemplated that any other non-irritating, non-ionic emulsifier could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The phase “silicone-containing excipient” refers to any silicone or silicone derivatives suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications which acts as an emollient and forms a water-repelling film, including silicone gums. According to one non-limiting embodiment, SILKY WAX is the preferred. SILKY WAX is a semi-occlusive, low melting (about 53 degrees C) silicone wax which acts as an emollient and water-repelling film former (a product of Dow Corning); INCI name: steroxytrimethylsilane/stearyl alcohol.
The phase “film-forming emollient” refers to any excipient suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications which forms a water-repelling film. According to a preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment, the film-forming emollient is Isostearyl isostearate. Isostearyl isostearate is a double branched ester (oil soluble) and emollient with film formation properties; INCI name: isostearyl isostearate. Although isostearyl isostearate is preferred other emollients can be used herein, for example, LUTROL OP 2000 (a product of BASF Aktiengeselllschaft) INCI NAME: polyoxypropylene (26) oleate.
EMERESSENCE is a natural preservative (INCI name: phenoxyethanol; a product of Cognis Care, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) and may be used in any of the instant formulations to prevent microbial growth. Any other preservative suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use that does not produce skin irritation while providing optimal asepsis could be used herein, for example, BIOPEIN (a product of BIO-BOTANICA, Inc., Hauppauge, N.Y., USA), PARAGON MEPB (a mixture of Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Parabenzene; a product of McIntyre Group, Ltd., University Park, Ill., USA) or a like equivalent or combination thereof.
Excipients useful in forming the skin protective formulations (lotions, solutions, creams, emulsions, or the like) according to the present invention are described in the following non-limiting example.
In formulating a batch of the skin protective cream according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, excipients useful in the manufacture of this product were added in the following approximate amounts:
The following method steps were followed:
Step (A) The Water Phase is formulated by combining the appropriate amounts of following ingredients into a container having at least one heating means and mixer:
The mixer is engaged at rate sufficiently rigorous to yield a homogeneous water phase while heating to about 75 degree C.
The Oil Phase excipients listed below are weighed and added to another container with a heating means and mixer:
Step (B) All of the aforementioned Oil Phase ingredients are stirred while being heated to approximately 75 degrees C until completely blended.
Step (C) If desired the EMERESSENCE (or like preservative) is added to the Oil Phase immediately prior to adding the Water phase into the Oil phase.
Step (D) The Water Phase is then added to the Oil Phase while stirring slowly; slow planetary or axial stirring should be sufficient.
Step (F) The mixture is slowly cooled slowly to room temperature (approximately 25 degrees C) while stirring.
While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that these three film forming excipients (e.g., Isostearyl Isostearate, Glycerin, and SILKY WAX) form a neutral and hydrophobic layer barrier which is also believed to interact with the skin thereby having a stabilizing effect upon the hydrophobic layer, which results in the enhanced persistence of the product. The use of a silicone-containing excipient, e.g. SILKY WAX, or a like equivalent, acts in-coordination with at least one of the skin protectants compositions as defined in CFR 21 Sec. 347.10 (Table 1) and the film-forming emollient, e.g., Isostearyl Isostearate, and melts when contacted with the heat of the body. This in turn forms a physical hydrophobic layer that provides a barrier which appears to inhibit penetration of liquids and sexually transmitted pathogens (viral, bacterial) which are primarily hydrophilic in nature. This property helps protect the user from contamination due to sexual contact with infected individuals.
Other ingredients which may be useful in the manufacture of the product may be included, for example, LABRAFIL M 1944 CS (INCI: Oleoyl macrogolglycerides, produced by Gattefosse Corp) can be added to the oil phase formulation of Example 1 as a co-emulsifier. LABRIFIL M 1944 SC is an unsaturated polyglycolized glyceride obtained by partial alcoholysis of apricot kernel oil, consisting of glycerides, and polyethylene glycol esters- and amphiphilic oil, solvent and/or emulsifier.
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings/figures.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The excipients and related compounds, methods, procedures, and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
