Biodegradable Iontophoretic Patch With pH-Buffered Drug Gel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional iontophoretic devices are limited by the need for external power sources via wires, leading to restricted patient mobility, high costs, and reduced efficacy due to complex assembly and battery vulnerability, and they fail to effectively manage pH changes during use.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable iontophoretic patch with a drug-loaded gel and a buffering gel, incorporating a pH adjuster in the buffering gel, to prevent excessive pH increase and enhance drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional iontophoretic device with external power source and wires is used, then current control capability is improved, but patient mobility is restricted and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the power source (battery), control circuit, and iontophoretic electrode into a single unified patch device. This merging eliminates the need for external power sources and wires, enabling the device to be worn directly on the skin while maintaining current control capability through integrated circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated patch serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a power source (battery), a control unit (circuit board), a drug delivery system (electrode with gel), and a wearable device. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by consolidating what were previously separate components into one universal device.
2Ease of operation
If conventional iontophoretic devices with integrated battery and circuit are used, then patient mobility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated patch into distinct functional layers: a flexible substrate, battery layer, circuit board layer, electrode layer with gel, and protective layer. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of flexible substrates and thin-film technologies enables the integration of multiple components in a compact, wearable form factor. The flexible circuit board and thin-film battery reduce the overall thickness and rigidity, making the device easier to manufacture and assemble while maintaining patient mobility.
3Power
If multi-step reaction process is used in conventional iontophoretic devices, then drug delivery capability is improved, but manufacturing productivity decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the gel containing electrolytes and buffering agents directly into the electrode structure during manufacturing, rather than requiring separate preparation steps. The drug is pre-loaded into the gel matrix, and the buffering system is integrated in advance, eliminating multi-step reaction processes and improving manufacturing efficiency.
4Stability of the object's composition
If buffering gel without pH adjuster is used, then pH buffering capacity is improved, but excessive pH increase occurs during use reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the buffering gel by adding specific pH adjusters (such as weak acids or bases) to actively control and maintain the pH within an optimal range during iontophoretic operation. This parameter adjustment ensures that the buffering capacity effectively prevents excessive pH increase, maintaining drug delivery efficacy throughout use.
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 allows for effective drug delivery with improved patient mobility and reduced complexity, while maintaining stable pH levels and enhancing skin absorption of cosmetic or pharmaceutical substances.
Implementation Method 1
Iontophoresis refers to a technique in which a microcurrent is applied to the skin to allow a charged target substance to penetrate into the skin by means of electrical repulsion.
Implementation Method 2
a pH adjuster is added to the buffering gel to prevent excessive increase in pH value during use of the ion patch
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biodegradable iontophoretic patch and a method for manufacturing the same. The ion patch comprises a drug-loaded gel and a buffering gel, and by adding a pH adjuster to the buffering gel, it is possible to prevent excessive increases in pH during use of the ion patch. Therefore, the invention can be used in the manufacture of ion patches for enhancing skin absorption of cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.