Biodegradable Micro-Needle Patch for Sustained Transdermal Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transdermal drug delivery systems face challenges with macro-molecular and hydrophilic drug penetration through the skin due to the hydrophobic and charged nature of the stratum corneum, and existing micro-needle patches are made of non-biodegradable materials that can cause infections and have rapid drug release formulations.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable micro-needle patch with a supporting substrate and protruded shafts coated with a biodegradable polymeric carrier that penetrates the skin, allowing for controlled drug release through swelling and degradation, using materials like poly-lactic acid and chitosan, and an adhesive layer for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal or silicon micro-needles are used for transdermal drug delivery, then the micro-needles can effectively penetrate stratum corneum and deliver drugs, but the user faces infection risk from broken needles and repeated use, and there is danger of medical waste and allergic reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal/silicon to biodegradable polymer, which fundamentally alters the interaction with skin tissue. The biodegradable material eliminates infection risk and allergic reactions while maintaining effective stratum corneum penetration and drug delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-needles are designed as single-use disposable items made of biodegradable polymer that dissolves after drug delivery. This eliminates the need for sterilization and disposal of sharp waste, as the material naturally degrades in the body after serving its purpose
2Reliability
If conventional micro-needle patches are used, then they can penetrate skin to deliver drugs, but they belong to rapidly releasing drug formulations and lack prolonged action capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drug release parameter from rapid to controlled/sustained release by incorporating the drug into the biodegradable polymer matrix. The drug release rate is controlled by the polymer degradation rate, enabling prolonged action formulations while maintaining effective skin penetration
3Reliability
If the biodegradable carrier is applied on skin, then the carrier penetrates through skin and embeds into epidermis, but the supporting substrate must be separated from the carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the biodegradable carrier from the supporting substrate after penetration. The supporting substrate serves only as a temporary delivery vehicle that is removed after the carrier has penetrated the skin, simplifying the device structure and improving ease of operation
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 enables sustained drug release over a prolonged period, reducing discomfort and medical waste, while ensuring biocompatibility and safety by using biodegradable materials that are naturally absorbed by the body.
Implementation Method 1
the biodegradable carrier is swollen and then degraded in skin to release the drug encapsulated in the biodegradable carrier into skin at a rate of 1% loaded drug per day to 99% loaded drug per day
Data Source
AI summary
An embeddable micro-needle patch for transdermal drug delivery and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The embeddable micro-needle patch for transdermal drug delivery comprises a supporting substrate, on which the surface includes a plurality of extruded supporting shafts; a biodegradable carrier, which is formed of biodegradable polymer material and disposed on the supporting shaft; and drugs, which are encapsulated in the biodegradable carrier. When the embeddable micro-needle patch for transdermal drug delivery is attached to the skin for a predetermined time, the biodegradable carrier is separated from the supporting shafts and embedded into the skin, and the biodegradable carrier may swell and then degrade, so as to release the drugs, which are encapsulated in the biodegradable carrier, at a rate of 1%-99% loaded drug per day into the skin. Accordingly, velocity of releasing the drugs may be regulated, so as to sustain the drug efficacy.