Acoustic Microneedle Patches for Controlled Therapeutic Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microneedle patches struggle with passive diffusion of therapeutics, making it difficult to deliver multiple controlled dosages within short time windows, especially for emergent applications like treating anaphylaxis, and often require untrained individuals to administer therapeutics like insulin or epinephrine.

Innovation Solution

A microneedle patch system with an integrated acoustic transducer that generates adjustable acoustic signals to control the diffusion of therapeutics, allowing for customizable delivery based on frequency, duty cycle, and energy density, enabling precise control over dose, rate, and time of delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If passive diffusion is used for therapeutic delivery from microneedle patches, then the delivery mechanism is simple and requires no external control, but the diffusion rate is slow and cannot deliver multiple controlled dosages within short time windows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediffusion rateVSAvoiddelivery control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies acoustic vibration through an integrated transducer to enhance therapeutic diffusion from microneedle patches. The acoustic energy creates mechanical vibrations that accelerate drug release kinetics, enabling controlled dosing within short time windows while maintaining a relatively simple patch structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes acoustic parameters (frequency, power, duty cycle) as controllable variables to regulate therapeutic diffusion rates. By adjusting these acoustic parameters, the system can deliver multiple controlled dosages within emergent time frames without fundamentally changing the microneedle patch structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional microneedle patches are used for therapeutic delivery, then the device structure is simple, but it is challenging to deliver multiple controlled dosages within several short time windows for emergent applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage control precisionVSAvoidacoustic control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs acoustic parameters (frequency, power, duty cycle) as controllable variables to precisely regulate therapeutic diffusion rates. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves accurate dosage control for multiple deliveries within emergent time frames, with the therapeutic release model calculating optimal acoustic settings based on desired diffusion outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a therapeutic release model that calculates acoustic field distribution, streaming fields, and diffusion parameters to determine optimal acoustic signal settings. This feedback mechanism enables precise dosage control by continuously adjusting acoustic parameters based on desired therapeutic delivery outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If pre-packaged products with designated dosages are used, then the product formulation is straightforward, but the dosage is not readily adjustable for any given patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage adjustabilityVSAvoidparameter control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dosage customization by allowing adjustment of acoustic parameters (frequency, power, duty cycle, signal delivery time) that control therapeutic diffusion rates. The therapeutic release model calculates the relationship between acoustic parameters and diffusion outcomes, enabling precise dosage adaptation for different patients and conditions without reformulating the product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system enhances therapeutic delivery by increasing diffusion rates up to 20 mg/mL within 6 minutes, providing a controlled and adjustable delivery method suitable for self-administration, especially for urgent conditions.

Implementation Method 1

calculate a streaming field based on the acoustic field distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic streaming:

Implementation Method 2

calculate an acoustic field distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic field distribution:

Implementation Method 3

conventional microneedle patch systems rely on the passive diffusion of encapsulated therapeutics from microneedle tips into the dermis of skin and deeper tissues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS20250332397A1Systems and methods for microneedle therapeutic delivery with acoustic signals

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 THE TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIV

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for therapeutic delivery. The system includes a microneedle patch and an acoustic transducer configured to alter the delivery of the therapeutic from the patch. The acoustic parameters may be determined from a therapeutic release model. The system may also be contained within a housing which may be at least partially removed to deliver the therapeutic. The transducer provides control over the delivery of the therapeutic.