Adhesive Matrix Patch Transdermal Delivery for Fungal Nail Infections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for fungal nail and foot infections, such as onychomycosis and tinea pedis, face challenges including ineffective topical therapies due to poor drug penetration through thick nails, adverse effects from long-term systemic treatments, and patient compliance issues with existing methods.

Innovation Solution

A pressure-sensitive adhesive matrix patch device is applied to a dorsal site of the infected palm or foot, containing a combination of antifungal agents like terbinafine and ketoconazole, along with a permeation enhancer, to facilitate transdermal delivery directly to the infection site, minimizing systemic exposure and increasing treatment efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If topical antifungal agents are applied directly to the nail, then contact with the infection site is improved, but drug penetration through the thick nail is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact with infection siteVSAvoiddrug penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a permeation enhancer as an intermediary substance that facilitates drug penetration through the nail. This permeation enhancer acts as a mediator between the antifungal agent and the nail tissue, enabling the drug to penetrate the thick nail barrier effectively while maintaining contact with the infection site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical or chemical parameters of the nail by incorporating a permeation enhancer that changes the nail's permeability properties. This parameter change enables increased drug penetration through the nail barrier while maintaining the therapeutic contact necessary for treating the infection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If oral antifungal agents are administered for long-term treatment, then treatment efficacy is improved, but adverse effects and patient compliance problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidadverse effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the antifungal agent from the systemic circulation pathway and delivers it directly to the infection site through the nail via the permeation enhancer. This extraction from the systemic pathway eliminates or reduces adverse effects associated with oral antifungal administration while maintaining treatment efficacy at the local infection site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by concentrating the antifungal agent delivery at the specific infection site through the nail, rather than distributing it systemically throughout the body. This localized delivery maintains high drug concentration at the infection site for effective treatment while minimizing systemic exposure and associated adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antifungal drugs are used to cover all fungal types, then treatment coverage is improved, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment coverageVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple antifungal agents into a single combined formulation that is delivered together through the nail via the permeation enhancer. This combining of multiple drugs into one unified treatment approach maintains broad coverage against different fungal types while simplifying the treatment regimen compared to using separate medications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 patch effectively delivers antifungal agents to the nail and skin tissues, enhancing treatment efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity and improving patient compliance, making it suitable for long-term use and prevention of fungal infections.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransdermal delivery: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

containing a combination of antifungal agents like terbinafine and ketoconazole, along with a permeation enhancer, to facilitate transdermal delivery directly to the infection site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation enhancement: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9308203B2Pressure sensitive adhesive matrix device or system for the treatment or prevention of onychomycosis or tinea pedis

Publication Date: 2016.04.12 TAIWAN BIOTECH

AI summary

Disclosed is a pressure-sensitive adhesive matrix patch device for treatment or prevention of fungal toenails or fingernails or foot infections comprising an antifungal agent or two or more antifungals in combination and adhesively secured to a dorsal site of an infected palm or foot, rather than an area of infection and surrounding skin. A method for the transdermal treatment or prevention of fungal toenails or fingernails or foot infections with an antifungal agent is also disclosed, the method comprising adhesively securing to a dorsal site of an infected palm or foot a pressure-sensitive adhesive matrix patch device for a time sufficient to deliver an effective amount of the antifungal agent to an area of infection.