Patent Picks—Cassia Deposition, Warming Substrates, Sol-gel Particles and More

Chosen biweekly by Rachel Grabenhofer, editor of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, for their relevance to personal care, Patent Picks are taken from publicly available sources. This edition features patents related to delivery and deposition in the cosmetic, dermatological, pharmaceutical and household industries.

Aqueous carrier systems for lipophilic ingredients
European Patent EP1183008
Publication date: April 13, 2011
Assignee: L'Oréal

According to the present patent, despite difficulties in solubilization, certain organic phospholipids, such as lecithin, can advantageously give hair and skin a soft, moisturized feel because they have a strong affinity for the hydrophobic surface of the hair and skin. In addition, lipophilic ingredients, including hydrocarbons such as petrolatum, offer moisturizing and protecting properties that are also desirable in many applications including hair care and skin care. However, in addition to the difficulties encountered in solubilizing phospholipids, the incorporation of high concentrations or "loads" of lipophilic ingredients into an aqueous environment has proven difficult. The water-insoluble nature of these ingredients has made their utilization in aqueous environments complicated.

It would, therefore, be desirable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications to provide delivery systems that include such organic phospholipids as carriers for high loads of other lipophilic ingredients, without the need for alcohols and other similar solvents. The present invention relates to novel carrier systems based on organic phospholipids capable of forming bilayers in aqueous solution, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and suspending agents, wherein these carrier systems allow lipophilic materials to be incorporated into aqueous solutions.

Cationic cassia derivatives and applications thereof
US Patent 7923422
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc.

This invention relates to cationically derivatized polycalactomannans obtained from Cassia tora and Cassia obtusifolia and to their use in personal care, household care and institutional care compositions. The cationically derivatized galactomannan polymers can be employed as thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, spreading aids and carriers for enhancing the efficacy, deposition and delivery of chemically and physiologically active ingredients. In addition, these polymers are useful for improving the psychosensory and aesthetic properties of cosmetic formulations, in which they are included.

Patterned self-warming wipe substrates
US Patent 7924142
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.

This patent relates to wiping substrates such as wet wipes and dry wipes that include a thermal grill utilized to deliver a warming sensation. In one aspect, disposed on at least one structural layer of the wipe substrate is a thermal grill that includes an alternating pattern of thermally active areas and secondary areas that provide a feeling of warmth to a user. The thermally active portions of the wipe include a temperature change substance that, when in liquid communication with an activation agent, is adapted to provide a temperature change of at least 5°C from the temperature of the secondary portion. By providing a thermal grill with thermally active portions, the entire wipe gives the user a warming sensation.

Transdermal therapeutic system
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/042913
Publication date: April 14, 2011
Inventor(s): Venkata Yedida and Jagannath Surya

According to the inventors of this patent, it has been a long felt need to develop transdermal systems, particularly in patch form, that are economical, practical and patient-friendly to use that do not create cosmetic problems such as low adhesiveness, low tack, viscosity, drug reactivity with the skin, uneven drug delivery, etc. The present invention is said to not only overcome such disadvantages, but also is reportedly easier to manufacture and use.

The described transdermal therapeutic system comprises: a) a pouch made of metallic foil, polymeric film, paper, laminates of these or a combination thereof, which is sealed thermally, ultrasonically by application of pressure, gluing or a combination thereof; for increasing the drug concentration at the vicinity of the skin via a layer that performs as a release liner; b) a scraper layer made of polymeric or metallic or non metallic powder or particles coated thereon; which assists in removal of dust, debris, dead cells etc., invariably present on the application site over the skin, thus assisting in better adherability and improved drug transfer flux characteristics; c) a backing layer, which is provided on the top of the pouch; to control the degree of occlusion selectively over the area of the patch; and d) an adhesive embedded with a drug mesh or net at the bottom that is in contact with the pouch; to provide for a physical shaping of the transdermal patch for it to stay in place on the skin thorough out the time period of its intended use. Finally, a built-in color coded indicative system is incorporated to visually cue the patient for the removal old and re-application of new patches. 

Application device for topical administration of pharmaceutical compositions and products
US Patent 7927034
Publication date: April 19, 2011
Assignee: Pharmakodex Ltd.

Disclosed in this patent is an applicator for applying a spreadable composition to the skin or other exterior region of a human or animal body, comprising means for receiving and carrying a unit or measured dose of the composition and a grip for enabling a user to grip and manipulate the applicator. The described grip and receiving means are arranged in such a way that the user is protected from inadvertent contact with a composition.

Methods for preparing nanotextured surfaces and applications thereof
US Patent 7923075
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

This invention describes a rapid and inexpensive technique for generating nanotextured surfaces involving: a) the creation of a regular, nanometer-sized template by microwave assisted hydro- or solvo-thermal treatment of polymer films coated on surfaces, followed by b) a coating layer of metal, metal oxides, polymers and inorganic materials. The nanometer-sized polymer template could be removed to create regularly shaped, hollow nanostructures, e.g., nano-bottles, nano-bowls, nano-holes, etc.

Use of siRNA targeting Sipa1l1 for the reduction of adipogenesis
European Patent Application EP2308892
Publication date: April 13, 2011
Assignee: Sanofi-aventis

The present invention concerns Sipa1I1, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Sipa1I1 activity in preadipocytes and adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Sipa1I1 activity as well as screening test for identification of modulators of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical compositions, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Agent-encapsulating micro- and nanoparticles, methods for preparation of same and products containing same
US Patent 7923030
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: Sol-Gel Technologies Inc.

This patent relates to substantially non-leachable sol-gel particles and, more particularly, to sol-gel micro- and nanoparticles encapsulating one or more agents (e.g., colorants), characterized by unprecedented stability to leaching or migration of the agents from therein. The invention further relates to a method of producing the particles of the invention and to products containing them, such as, for example, cosmetic and oral care colored products.

Compositions including vitamin-based surfactants and methods for using same
US Patent 7923469
Publication date: April 12, 2011
Assignee: Allergen Inc.

The present patent discloses compositions for caring for contact lenses and eyes including a liquid aqueous medium and a vitamin derivative component present in an amount effective as a surfactant in the composition. The compositions can be used to clean, soak, re-wet and, with the inclusion of a disinfectant, disinfect contact lenses. In addition, the compositions are reportedly as effective as artificial tears and eye wash solutions. Methods for contact lens care and eye care are also disclosed.

Shading composition for fabrics
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/042372
Publication date: April 14, 2011
Assignee: Unilever PLC

The present invention relates to the delivery of dyes to fabrics. Selected cationic phenazine dyes have a high substantivity to polycotton and are relatively alkaline-stable and weight-efficient. The cationic phenazine dyes described herein have the further advantage of being substantive to pure polyester garments. The cationic phenazine dyes described also have the advantage of providing good whiteness improvement to the fabrics with little dulling of the fabrics and show no-build up behavior on a range of fabrics.

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