MXPA06005337A - Absorbent article containing a skin-care agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is intended to solve the problem of dehydrated and irritated tissues which can occur on those body parts which are in contact with an absorbent article. The invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, panty liner, tampon, diaper, interlabial product or incontinence protection, which is provided with a skin-care agent which contains pectin and which is intended to be transferred from the absorbent product to the user. In particular, the invention relates to an absorbent article which is provided with a skin-care agent which is intended to be transferred to mucous membranes and skin tissues in the lower abdomen of a woman. The invention is also suitable for elderly individuals, who frequently have a dry and fragile skin which can become ulcerous and infected, or in diapers for infants, who run the risk of having irritated and dehydrated skin. In addition to pectin having a moisture-preserving effect and being able to be used for acidifying or for regulating the pH, it is a well known substance, which is preferred for its good skin compatibility, and can readily adhere to, and interact with, skin and mucous membranes.

Description

ABSORBENT PRODUCT WITH SKIN PROTECTIVE AGENT TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, panty-protector, tampon, diaper, anti-incontinence product, which contains a skin protective agent intended to be transferred from the absorbent product to the wearer. In particular, the invention relates to an absorbent product that contains a protective agent of the skin intended to pass to the mucous membranes and dermal tissues in the lower abdomen of a woman. The skin protecting agent to which the invention relates contains pectin.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE An absorbent product contributes to increasing the dryness in the areas where its absorbent part is in contact with the wearer since it is intended to capture and absorb liquids. The dehydration of the skin and mucous membranes can cause irritation and discomfort and poor protection against infections This problem is especially common in older, postmenopausal women, whose mucous membranes often atrophy, become brittle and dry as a result of decreased estrogen production. Its microflora and vaginal environment changes drastically from being populated by protective flora of lactobacilli and an acid pH of approximately 3.5-4.5 in the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria, mainly E. coli, from the intestine and the area of the anus, and a pH of about 5-6. Urinary tract infections, which are often caused by E. coli bacteria, occur more frequently in older women. Incontinence also contributes to an increased risk of urinary tract infections. The document "A study with controls of intravaginal estriol in postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections" (Raúl Raz and Michael E. Stamm, Vol. 329, No. 11, pages 753-756 The New England Journal of Medicine) describes these problems in more detail.

The problem of dehydrated and atrophied vaginal mucous membranes is well known and various medicinal preparations are available to treat them. For example, US 6,346,267 discloses a moisture inhibiting composition containing a mixture of phytoestrogen and herbs. US 5,474,768 also discloses a composition that inhibits moisture and is water based and contains a bioadhesive substance and a consistency imparting agent. The substance described can be conveniently applied to the mucous membranes by spraying or rubbing or as suppositories.

Some patent specifications have also described how absorbent products are provided with oils and creams in order to counteract the dehydration of the skin and mucous membranes. US 6,416,779 describes for example how a tampon can be used to pass a therapeutic substance to the vagina, and US 6,475,197 describes how a skin protecting agent of a diaper, sanitary napkin or similar to the wearer is passed.

The use of pectin in products close to the skin is described in the patent literature, GB 696,608 documents that pectin is used as a carrier for bacterial inhibitors, US 4,813,942 uses pectin for its pH-lowering properties. EP 343,807 uses pectin in a composition for its adhesive properties when it is wetted. These three documents specify products to heal wounds as the area of application and none of these indicates that the pectin must be transferred to the skin. DE 38 34 797 uses pectin in a protection against incontinence. Pectin is present in the form of an absorbent in the core of the product in order to absorb liquid and function as an odor inhibitor. There is nothing in DE 38 34 797 that indicates that the pectin is used as a protective agent of the skin and, even less, that the objective that the pectin passes to the skin.

The article "Comparison of the wetting efficacy of two vaginal humectants: pectin compared with polycarbophilic technologies" (Michael Caswell and Michael Kane; J. Cosmet, Sci., 53, 81-87 (March / April 2002)) mentions that a substance based on pectin shows a very good effect with respect to wetting the membranes of the vaginal mucosa as a preparation containing polycarbophil. These preparations, reportedly, have as good an effect on the mucous membrane as estrogen. Consequently, there is scientific evidence that pectin has an effect as a protective agent of the skin on the membranes of the vaginal mucosa.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is intended to solve the problem of dehydrated or irritated tissues, first and foremost the skin of the vulva and mucous membranes, in the lower abdomen of the woman, whose problem can occur in parts of the body that are in contact with an absorbent product.

An object of the invention is to produce an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, panty-protector, tampon, diaper, anti-incontinence product, having improved skin-protecting properties.

Another objective of the invention is to produce an absorbent product that contributes to creating a healthier environment, including good protection against infections, in the lower abdomen of the woman.

Still another object of the invention is to produce an absorbent product that contributes to remedy the problems of atrophied, fragile and parched mucous membranes when used in sanitary napkins, tampons, incontinence protection products and the like.

Furthermore, an object of the invention is to produce an absorbent product that contributes to keeping the pH low in the lower abdomen of the woman.

Another objective of the invention is to produce an absorbent product that contains a skin protective agent to counteract and alleviate skin irritations, first and foremost in newborns and the elderly, when used in diapers or incontinence protection.

These are achieved by means of an absorbent product, sanitary napkin, pantiliner, tampon, diaper, incontinence protection product, which is provided with a skin-protecting agent containing pectin. The skin protecting agent will be intended to pass from the absorbent product to the user, i.e., that the pectin-containing skin protecting agent is at least partially emitted by the product, and is transferred to the user, during use. As a result of its moisture-preserving property, pectin will counteract the negative effects that arise in relation to the dehydration of skin tissues and mucous membranes. The invention is considered to be particularly well suited for tampons, anti-incontinence products, hygiene pads, products with projections or similar products that are at least partially intravaginal and directly make contact with the mucous membranes of the woman and thereby contribute to having a dehydrating effect. in the mucous membranes.

In the application, a skin protecting agent is understood as a composition containing a substance that affects the skin and can be used to prevent, counteract or alleviate different types of irritation or damage that can occur in dermal tissues or mucous membranes. These substances, for example, can be used to counteract dehydration or regulate pH and may have antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition, the invention is intended to comprise the type of absorbent products intended to be used regularly to absorb menstrual, urine and faecal fluids.

Another advantage of pectin is the possibility of affecting the pH in the lower abdomen of the user. A particularly frequent problem in postmenopausal women is that the pH in the vagina increases as a result of a decrease in the production of estrogen. By choosing a pectin that has a desired pH value, the pectin can thus be used to function as an acidifying agent in addition to counteracting dehydration. A lower pH in the vagina or skin of the valve allows the opportunity to establish a more favorable bacterial flora. The antibacterial properties of pectin also allow it to be used in incontinence protections and diapers for, for example, to avoid or prevent infections related to pressure sores (yagas through the bed) or skin irritation induced by the diaper (contact dermatitis).

Pectin is a polysaccharide that has an average molecular weight of 20,000-400,000 u. The polysaccharide is the main compound of the galacturonic acid units which can be esterified by various grades. Pectin is present naturally in the cell walls of all plants and functions as a binding agent. A common origin for the extraction of pectin is the citrus peel. Natural pectin is an integrated part of the complex structure that imparts stability to a plant. In this case, pectin consists of some different types of neutral sugar molecules that are present in a model, defined to contain sequences of homogalacturonic acid that are interspersed with sequences of neutral sugar molecules, such as rhamnose, galactose, arabinose and other types of sugar with a well branched structure. When the pectin is extracted, a large part of the branched structure usually disappears and a relatively straight chain remains, most of which consists of galacturonic acid molecules. Pectin is usually defined as a polymer that contains more than 65% galacturonic acid. The acid groups can be free or esterified. When the pectin is extracted, more than 50% of the galacturonic acid is normally esterified, and then the pectin is classified as a pectin with a high methyl ester content, and when the pectin has a degree of esterification of less than 50%, it is consequently classifies as pectin with low methyl ester content.

While the pectin proposed for use in the invention has no crucial limit with respect to its molecular weight, it will preferably have a molecular weight between 50,000 and 150,000 u. However, pectins having a molecular weight outside this range also have similar properties and can be used in the context of the invention. In this sense, it is considered that the degree of esterification is of secondary importance for its function, and it is possible to use pectins that have widely different degrees of esterification. On the other hand, the degree of nesting is important in the present invention when it is desired to influence the pH of the skin. The degree of nesting affects the pH of the pectin, and a low amidation, or no amidation, is desirable to produce a low pH.

An experiment in which pH measurements have been carried out on the skin after the skin has been covered with pectin films is described below. The pectin, of the brand Pectin GENU® (citrus) type USH-H (manufacturer CP Kelco, Denmark), was dissolved in tap water at 80 ° C with vigorous stirring (1000 rpm) to obtain a 2% solution. The solution was dried overnight in flat plastic boxes, obtaining a thin film formed on the base. Samples of 1 x 4 cm with a weight of approximately 15 mg were cut. These sample pieces were placed for an hour on the forearms of two experimental individuals. The pieces shown, as well as the corresponding skin surface without the sample, were covered with PE film (not vapor permeable). The pH was measured before placing the samples and after removing them, after having slightly moistened the skin with a few drops of deionized water. In the experiment, a Courage + Khazaka pH meter, type pH 900, was used. The results of the experiment are documented in Table 1.

Table 1. Results of the pH measurement of the skin Table 2 lists the pectin that was used together with some other pectins that can also be used conveniently. However, the invention is not considered to be limited to the pectins mentioned herein.

Table 2. Different grades of pectin, GENU® pectin (citrus) from CP Kelco, Copenhagen, Denmark Pectin may be present in the product, as such, or together with other substances such as compounds that impart consistency, odor inhibitors and other active substances. The skin-protecting agent containing pectin may be present in the form of gel, film, fiber, liquid, cream, powder, emulsion, paste, etc. The fundamental aspect is that the pectin is an integrated part of a carrier system that efficiently effects a transfer of the pectin to the user while interfering as little as possible with the absorbent ability of the product. The system used depends, among others, on the type of absorbent product, the quantities to be released, how fast the transfer will take place or whether the intention is for the pectin to act together with other substances. It is even possible to use pectin by itself as a type of carrier of active substances, which the pectin can release when it has adhered to the skin or mucous membranes.

The location of the skin protective agent on the article is important to ensure that the agent is transferred. The skin protecting agent can be placed in the product so that it is transferred to the user when the product is used. Although the pectin-containing skin-protecting agent can be applied advantageously to different places in the product, it has to be placed so that it comes in contact with the dermal tissue or the mucous membranes of the wearer so that it can be transferred later. When applied to an absorbent product having a liquid-permeable surface layer, a liquid-impervious backside layer and an absorbent body therebetween, the skin protective agent is advantageously applied to the surface layer, which remains in front of the user. It is also possible to apply the skin protective agent to the surface layer, for example, by allowing it to be a part of the surface material or by placing it between some layers if the surface layer is a laminate. The protective agent of the skin can also be placed directly below the surface layer. However, the further the agent is placed from the surface layer and the wearer's skin, the more difficult it will be to provide the satisfactory transfer of the skin protective agent to the wearer. When the absorbent product is in the form of a diaper or a product for incontinence protection, with a belt-type fastener around the waist, or of a brief-type model, the skin-protecting agent may, for example, be applied in the belt, or on the side cloths that belong to the panty models, to counteract irritations of the skin in the waist area.

Although, in the case of tampons and similar absorbent products, the protective agent of the skin is advantageously applied to the external surface, which faces the wearer, it can also be applied to, or directly below, the external surface. These examples only describe some of the places to which the skin protection agent can be applied. It is within the scope of the invention to apply the skin protective agent to an absorbent product at the location deemed convenient to achieve satisfactory transfer of the agent to the desired areas of the wearer.

To achieve satisfactory transfer, various possible mechanisms exist to regulate the release of the skin protective agent from the absorbent product. If the skin protecting agent is on the surface of the absorbent product, it is possible to cover the surface with a release paper for the purpose of preventing unwanted migration of the skin protective agent during storage.

It is also possible that external factors such as heat, pressure, movement, shear forces or humidity affect the properties of the skin protective agent and can be used to effect satisfactory transfer to the wearer during use.

In addition to applying a skin protective agent to the surface of the absorbent product in the form of a cream, as in the normal form, the pectin may be present as film parts, as described in the previous experiment, which are placed on the layer superficial, that remains in front of the user, of the absorbent product. It is also possible to spray an aqueous solution of the pectin on the surface layer to form discontinuous pellets or a thin, continuous film when the solution is dried.

A particularly interesting use of pectin is to use it together with lactobacilli in order to vitalize the vulvovaginal environment of women. The possibility that the pectin moistens the skin and mucous membranes facilitates the adhesion of lactobacilli to the surface of body tissues. The property of the pectin to affect the pH and function as an acidifier in the vulvovaginal environment of the woman who has a high pH facilitates the transfer of lactabacilus and colonization of the areas of interest. It is possible to transfer the lactobacilli and the pectin at the same time or that the pectin passes first and the lactobacilli later. One possibility is to use pectin as a carrier that can encapsulate lactobacilli.

There are several advantages with the use of pectin as a protective agent of the skin for mucous membranes. In addition to the fact that it has a moisture-preserving effect and can reduce pH, pectin is a well-known substance that has previously been used on the skin and mucous membranes and is preferred for its good compatibility with the skin. In contrast, estrogen, which is a hormonal preparation that can be used to vitalize and re-establish dehydrated mucous membranes, has some well-known adverse medical effects. In addition, pectin is a relatively inexpensive substance that can be produced from some different plant preparations. Because of its gel-forming property, pectin can also easily interact with mucous membranes and skin and adhere well to these tissues when it comes into contact with them.

Even if, in this present disclosure, the invention is exemplified primarily for absorbent products for women, it is clear to experts that pectin, however, can be used for other products such as baby diapers, incontinence guards and sanitary napkins where desirable. counteract dehydration and skin irritations or modify the pH and obtain an acidifying effect on skin tissues or mucous membranes that are in contact with the product. These good skin protection properties result in the pectin being suitable for use in anti-incontinence products for elderly people who often have a dry and fragile skin, which may ulcerate or become infected, or in diapers for newborns, who they run the risk of irritations and dehydration of the skin.

Claims (11)

1. An absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, panty-protector, tampon, diaper, interlabial product or incontinence protection, which is provided with a protective skin agent intended to be transferred, during use, to dermal tissues or membranes mucosas of the user, characterized in that the skin protective agent contains pectin.

2. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that a 1% (wt%) aqueous solution of pectin shows a pH of 2.5-5.

3. The absorbent product according to claim 2, characterized in that a 1% aqueous solution (% by weight) of the pectin shows a pH of 3-4.

4. The absorbent product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skin protective agent also contains lactobacilli.

5. The absorbent product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skin protective agent is present in the form of gel, film, liquid, cream, powder, emulsion, paste or fiber.

6. The absorbent product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the average molecular weight of the pectin is 20,000-400,000 u, preferably 50,000-150,000 u.

7. The absorbent product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective agent of the skin is intended to be transferred to the dermal tissues and mucous membranes in the lower abdomen of a woman.

8. The absorbent product according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective agent of the skin is located on or in a surface layer of the absorbent product that faces the wearer during use.

9. The absorbent product according to claim 8, characterized in that the protective agent of the skin is placed on the surface layer of the absorbent body that faces the wearer during use.

10. A method to counteract the dehydration and / or regulate the pH of the mucous membranes or dermal tissues which, during the use of an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, panty protector, tampon, diaper, interlabial product or incontinence protection, it is in contact with the absorbent product by means of adding a protective agent of the skin to the absorbent product, the agent of which is released to the skin or mucous membranes during use characterized in that the skin protective agent contains pectin.

11. The use of pectin in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, pantiprotector, tampon, diaper, interlabial product or incontinence protection, as a protective agent for the skin.