Biodegradable Metal Patch for Battery-Free Transdermal Iontophoresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transdermal delivery methods face challenges in efficiently delivering active ingredients into the body due to low absorption rates, skin barrier disruption, and the need for separate power sources, leading to inefficiencies and increased waste.
Innovation Solution
A self-current-generating skin-applicable patch using biodegradable metals with a micro-needle structure that generates a micro-current through an oxidation-reduction potential difference, enhancing iontophoresis and delivering active ingredients without a battery, while also providing skin repair and pain relief benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a cream or gel-type product is applied to the skin surface, then active ingredients can be supplied into the body, but a significant amount of active ingredients cannot be delivered into the tissue and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical application method (cream/gel spreading) with an active electrochemical system. Biodegradable metals (magnesium, zinc, calcium) undergo oxidation-reduction reactions to generate micro-currents that actively drive active ingredients through the skin via iontophoresis, dramatically improving delivery efficiency and reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the delivery system by introducing electrochemical reactions. The biodegradable metals change their oxidation state (Mg→Mg²⁺, Zn→Zn²⁺, Ca→Ca²⁺), generating electrical potential that transforms the delivery mechanism from passive diffusion to active electrochemical transport, enhancing penetration depth and efficiency.
2Speed
If injection method is used to administer active ingredients, then rapid absorption into the tissue can be achieved, but it requires expert administration and causes pain from needling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service administration by eliminating the need for professional injection skills. The biodegradable metal patch automatically generates micro-currents through electrochemical reactions with skin moisture, creating micro-channels and driving active ingredient delivery without requiring needle insertion expertise or causing injection pain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biodegradable metals as an intermediary between the active ingredients and the skin tissue. These metals serve dual functions: generating micro-currents for enhanced delivery and forming biodegradable micro-channels, replacing the need for permanent needles while achieving rapid absorption similar to injection.
3Reliability
If a patch containing active ingredients is attached to the skin, then the drug can be absorbed through the skin avoiding oral side effects, but the absorption rate is low at approximately 20%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive diffusion-based patch delivery with active electrochemical delivery. The biodegradable metals generate micro-currents that drive ionic active ingredients through the skin via iontophoresis, increasing absorption rate from ~20% to significantly higher levels while maintaining the transdermal route's advantage of avoiding oral side effects.
4Productivity
If various methods are used to increase the skin absorption rate such as skin absorption enhancer and iontophoresis, then the absorption rate can be improved, but it requires excessive amount of active ingredients and complicated patch composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single biodegradable metal component: (1) electrochemical reaction to generate micro-currents for iontophoresis, (2) formation of biodegradable micro-channels for enhanced penetration, and (3) decomposition into biocompatible ions. This integration eliminates the need for separate power sources, absorption enhancers, and complex formulations, simplifying the patch composition while achieving high absorption rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable metals exhibit multi-functionality: they serve as electrochemical power sources, micro-needle materials, and active delivery vehicles. This universal functionality replaces multiple separate components (battery, electrodes, absorption enhancers), reducing patch complexity while maintaining or enhancing absorption efficiency.
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 active ingredients deep into the skin, reduces skin resistance, and promotes skin repair through biodegradation, offering enhanced absorption and reduced waste.
Implementation Method 1
the patch generates a micro-current by the oxidation-reduction potential difference between dissimilar metals
Implementation Method 2
enhancing iontophoresis and delivering active ingredients
Implementation Method 3
the patch is also configured to provide a beneficial effect through decomposition action of the biodegradable metal at the contact site
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a self-current-generating skin-applicable patch with a first area in contact with the skin and a second area adjacent to and spaced apart from it, where either area contains a biodegradable metal, decomposable and absorbable through skin contact or reaction with tissue moisture. The patch includes a first electrode layer directly contacts the skin as a thin sheet integrated with the first area and has at least one fluid-transferable penetration part, a second electrode layer of a material with a different standard reduction potential is positioned opposite a skin-contacting side, partially extending to connect electrically to the second area, and a support layer, a hydrophilic sheet of predetermined thickness, is positioned opposite the skin-contacting side, having an ionic solution supported. Thus, sufficient iontophoresis and other micro-current effects with active ingredients are achieved through self-generated micro-current, even without a battery-like external power source.