Biodegradable Locking System for Oral Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery devices face challenges in delivering low permeable and low water soluble active drug substances orally due to stability issues and limited absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, primarily due to the gastrointestinal wall barrier and pre-systemic metabolism.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery device with a biodegradable locking system and actuator mechanism that attaches to the gastrointestinal tissue, converting stored energy into kinetic energy to secure the drug substance's stability and facilitate absorption, featuring a biodegradable cover that prevents the locking member from translating out of an aperture until it degrades, allowing for effective attachment and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a locking system with a biodegradable cover is used to prevent the locking member from translating out of the aperture, then the stability of the active drug substance during passage in the gastrointestinal tract is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A biodegradable cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the locking member and the external environment. This cover prevents premature translation of the locking member out of the aperture during gastrointestinal passage, thereby maintaining drug substance stability. The cover degrades over time to allow the locking mechanism to function, resolving the contradiction by adding a temporary protective layer without requiring permanent complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system utilizes parameter changes in the biodegradable cover material, which transitions from an intact state (preventing translation) to a degraded state (allowing translation). This time-dependent parameter change enables the system to provide stability during the initial passage phase while automatically enabling the locking function in the subsequent phase, avoiding the need for complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the locking system prevents movement of the first body part with respect to the second body part, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking member, an aperture, and a biodegradable cover. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes, then assembled into the final device. The modular design improves reliability through precise component fit while maintaining manufacturing ease by avoiding the need to manufacture the entire locking system as a single complex piece.
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 device ensures stability and enhanced absorption of active drug substances in the gastrointestinal tract, providing a robust and reliable attachment mechanism without the need for additional protective covers, improving manufacturing ease and enabling effective oral delivery of low permeable substances.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator mechanism can be configured to store energy. The actuator mechanism can be configured to convert the stored energy to kinetic energy.
Implementation Method 2
The locking system includes a biodegradable cover. The biodegradable cover can be configured to prevent translation of the locking member out of the aperture.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery device comprising, a first body part, an attachment part attached to the first body part, a second body part, an aperture in the first body part and/or the second body part, an actuator mechanism configured to store energy and convert the stored energy to kinetic energy via movement of the first body part or the second body part, and a locking system configured to prevent the actuator mechanism from converting the stored energy to the kinetic energy.