Aquamed Technology
Hydrogel is manufactured by introducing a polymer (solid) into water, creating a feed mix. The feed mix is used to coat a web material (or scrim) and two outer linings are applied creating sheets of hydrogel. These sheets are then introduced to a high energy field which cross-links the polymers giving the hydrogel greater molecular integrity and thereby creating sheets of hydrogel.
Active ingredients such as OTC medication, and skin care, wound healing or other materials can be added before or after cross-linking. Materials that do not survive radiation are added after the cross-linking process is completed. Once the hydrogels have been mixed and cross-linked, they form sheets which can be delivered to customers or first cut and shaped according to customer specifications. Management believes that many of the processes described above are proprietary to the Company and provide significant competitive advantages.
Active ingredients such as OTC medication, and skin care, wound healing or other materials can be added before or after cross-linking. Materials that do not survive radiation are added after the cross-linking process is completed. Once the hydrogels have been mixed and cross-linked, they form sheets which can be delivered to customers or first cut and shaped according to customer specifications. Management believes that many of the processes described above are proprietary to the Company and provide significant competitive advantages.
Proprietary Technology
click below for detailsProprietary Mixing
AquaMed’s proprietary mixing technology utilizes a methodology of forced hydration of polymers. We are able to manufacture hydrogel feed mixes with far greater homogeneity than those of the competition. This is critical especially as it relates to the dosing of active ingredients. In addition, our proprietary mixing technology allows for the incorporation of sensitive materials which may degrade if subjected to other types of mixing.
Proprietary Coating
Our proprietary coating technology enables us to handle the gels properly even though they are extremely viscous (thick and resistant to flow). We have achieved coating tolerances which have allowed it to coat materials as thin as 0.005 inches with a margin for error of typically less than 5%. Thickness controls are critical with respect to the performance of many of the end products utilizing AquaMed’s hydrogels including medical electrodes, transdermal delivery patches and cosmetic patches. We have also developed coating methodology which minimizes imperfections such as wrinkling in the end product by significantly reducing line tension. This proprietary know-how allows us to manufacture high quality, consistent product which meet the exacting standards of our customers.
Proprietary Cross-linking Technology
AquaMed cross-links its hydrogels using an electron beam accelerator. Electron beam cross-linking is achieved through the introduction of the high energy field, created by the accelerated electrons, which causes the release of hydrogen atoms thereby causing carbon molecule covalent bonding. The creation of longer chains of the polymer in the gel increases its molecular integrity, giving the gel characteristics which make it useful in a variety of products.
Our electron-beam cross-linking process is one of three types of cross-linking used in the industry. The other types used are ultra violent cross-linking and chemical cross-linking. The benefits of electron beam cross-linking include:
- precise control of the amount of polymer cross-linking; other types allow for the continuation of cross-linking over a period of time;
- no need for chemical cross-linking agents which may complicate or interfere with other additives or active ingredients; and
- the ability to manufacture high quality hydrogels on a consistent basis.
The physical characteristics can be further modified by varying the percent of polymer cross-linking and the way in which the high energy field is delivered. There are three variables in the use of an electron beam accelerator for cross-linking of hydrogels:
The physical characteristics can be further modified by varying the percent of polymer cross-linking and the way in which the high energy field is delivered. There are three variables in the use of an electron beam accelerator for cross-linking of hydrogels:
- time of exposure of the target material to the electron stream;
- voltage (electrical potential); and
- amperage (strength of the electrical current)
We believe that our methods of managing these three variables make it possible to produce high quality gels matching customer specifications as to a wide range of characteristics. These methods are proprietary to AquaMed Technologies.