Compressed lecithin preparations

• US 6,312,703 B1
• Filed: 02/05/1999
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lecigel LLC
• Original Assignee: Lecigel LLC
• Inventors: Orthoefer, Frank T.
• Primary Examiner(s): KISHORE, GOLLAMUDI S
• Application Number:
  US09/245,289
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 424/400, 424/450, 424/401, 424/59, 424/65, 514/78, 514/844-848
• US Class Current: 424/401
• CPC Class Codes: A23J 7/00 Phosphatide compositions for foodstuffs, e.g. lecithin
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 20/158 Fatty acids; Fats; Products containing oils or fats
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 50/10 for ruminants
• CPC Class Codes: A23P 10/28 Tabletting; Making food bars by compression of a dry powdered mixture
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1842 Lecithin
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1944 Medium-chain triglycerides
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/712 Vitamin E
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2800/92 Oral administration
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0216 Solid or semisolid forms
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/553 Phospholipids, e.g. lecithin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/922 of vegetable origin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/925 of animal origin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/9789 Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1274 Non-vesicle bilayer structures, e.g. liquid crystals, tubules, cubic phases, cochleates; Sponge phases
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1277 Processes for preparing; Proliposomes
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2095 Tabletting processes; Dosage units made by direct compression of powders or specially processed granules, by eliminating solvents, by melt-extrusion, by injection molding, by 3D printing mechanical aspects A61J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/04 Centrally acting analgesics, e.g. opioids
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/08 Antiepileptics; Anticonvulsants
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/20 Hypnotics; Sedatives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/02 : Nutrients, e.g. vitamins, minerals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/00 : Drugs for immunological or allergic disorders
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 : Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/00 : Preparations for care of the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/007 : Preparations for dry skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 19/10 : Washing or bathing preparations
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 : Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions primarily comprised of phospholipids, commercially known as lecithin, wherein the phospholipids form a solid mass—a liquid crystal phospholipid (LCP)—without the use of emulsifiers or other ingredients which are typically used as carriers for phospholipids. The invention also relates to the methods for making the phospholipid compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to a physical form of phospholipids and its use as a topical cosmetic skin bar, as a nutrient supplement or as a pharmaceutical dosage form if taken orally. Regardless of the exact shape of the new phospholipid composition, it comprises an amount of phospholipid equal to at least about 20% by weight of the total product. The new composition of the phospholipids appears as a solid which is produced by subjecting granular or powdered phospholipids to high levels of pressure which result in the formation of the solid phospholipid composition.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition comprising lecithin, wherein said lecithin:

(i) is a liquid crystal solid;

(ii) has a homogenous and continuous structure;

(iii) is transparent or translucent;

(iv) has a bulk density of 0.95 to 1.2; and

(v) is structurally deformable and shapeable into a dosage form suitable for oral or topical administration.

2. The composition of claim 1, comprising between 20% and 100% lecithin.

3. The composition of claim 2 comprising between 30% and 100% lecithin.

4. The composition of claim 3 comprising between 40% and 100% lecithin.

5. The composition of claim 4 comprising between 50% and 100% lecithin.

6. The composition of claim 5 comprising between 60% and 100% lecithin.

7. The composition of claim 6 comprising between 70% and 100% lecithin.

8. The composition of claim 7 comprising between 80% and 100% lecithin.

9. The composition of claim 1 which is of a size, shape and texture suitable for use as a cosmetic bar for moisturizing the skin.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein said additives comprise fragrances, oils, moisturizers, vitamins, UV blockers, humectants, cleansers, colloidal meals, abrasives, herbal extracts, phytochemicals or combinations thereof.

11. The composition of claim 10, wherein said additive is between about 0.01% and about 80% by weight of said composition.

12. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a lipid-soluble nutrient and/or an active ingredient, wherein the amount of said nutrient or active ingredient is equal to between about 0.01 % and about 80% by weight of said composition.

13. The composition of claim 12 in the form of a tablet further comprising an intimate mixture of the lecithin and said lipid-soluble nutrient and/or active ingredient.

14. The composition of claim 12 in the shape of a capsule, wherein said capsule is comprised of said lecithin and said active ingredient.

15. The composition of claim 12, wherein said active ingredient is an isoflavone.

16. A high density lecithin product formed by the process comprising compressing and/or extruding a composition comprising between about 20% and 100% by weight de-oiled lecithin and having an acetone insoluble content equal to at least about 90%, for at least 15 seconds at a pressure of at least 100 psig so as to increase the density of said de-oiled lecithin to form said lecithin product having a density ranging between about 0.95 and 1.2.