Agent-Eluting Plaster With Microdomain Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for topical application of protein-based active ingredients, such as erythropoietin (EPO), to wounds are ineffective due to proteolytic enzyme degradation in wound secretion, leading to short half-lives and limited therapeutic effectiveness, while systemic administration results in undesirable side effects and localized healing is not efficiently achieved.
Innovation Solution
A novel patch design with microdomains containing closed cavities for active substance depots and connected channel structures to remove wound exudate, preventing proteolytic degradation and allowing controlled release of EPO and other proteins directly to the wound, enabling higher regional concentrations and extended therapeutic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If protein-based active ingredients are applied topically to wounds, then localized therapeutic effect is achieved, but the proteins are degraded by proteolytic enzymes in wound secretion leading to short half-life
Solution Approach 1:
The plaster is divided into microdomains with closed cavities containing active substance depots and channel structures for exudate removal. This segmentation creates isolated protective environments for the protein while enabling targeted delivery to the wound site, preventing enzymatic degradation while maintaining localized therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces protease inhibitors as intermediary substances that mediate between the proteolytic enzymes in wound secretion and the protein-based active ingredients. These inhibitors block the enzymatic degradation pathway, extending the half-life of the active protein while allowing it to exert its therapeutic effect.
2Reliability
If systemic administration of protein-based active ingredients is used, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but undesirable side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The plaster design delivers the active protein exclusively to the local wound site through controlled release from microdomain cavities. This localized delivery ensures therapeutic effectiveness at the injury location while preventing systemic distribution and associated side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful aspect of systemic distribution by confining the active protein delivery to the local wound environment. The microdomain structure with channel-like cavities ensures the protein remains at the application site, separating the therapeutic function from systemic exposure.
3Ease of operation
If conventional patches are used for protein delivery, then simple application is achieved, but the proteins are quickly broken down by proteolytic enzymes
Solution Approach 1:
The plaster incorporates microdomains with closed cavities and channel structures that segment the delivery system into protective compartments. This maintains ease of application as a single patch while internally protecting the protein from enzymatic degradation through the structured microenvironment.
Solution Approach 2:
Protease inhibitors are incorporated as intermediary substances within the plaster matrix, providing continuous protection against enzymatic degradation during the wear period. This extends the effective half-life without complicating the application process, as the protection is built into the patch structure.
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 significantly extends the half-life of active proteins at the wound site, achieving sustained regeneration and healing effects comparable to or exceeding systemic administration, with reduced systemic side effects and improved localized delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The channel structures (II) are designed to remove wound exudate from the wound site
Implementation Method 2
which makes it possible either to generate a negative pressure generated in the plaster in the cavities accumulated Woundsekret to discharge
Implementation Method 3
The closed cavities (I) contain the active substance and release it to the wound
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a medical plaster that can supply injured skin and open wounds with an active ingredient that helps to accelerate and improve wound healing. The plaster has novel design features that enable, in particular, protein- or peptide-containing drugs, such as erythropoietin (EPO), to exert their wound-healing or wound-healing-promoting effect by releasing the active ingredient from the plaster without it being significantly inactivated or metabolized by substances present in the wound exudate.