Biodegradable Microstructure Array for Sustained Transdermal Drug Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transdermal drug delivery methods using microneedle arrays often require prolonged wear and can be inconvenient and painful, as they do not provide sustained delivery of therapeutic agents over extended periods.

Innovation Solution

A microstructure array comprising a biodegradable distal layer with a therapeutic agent and a hydrophobic polymer, designed to detach readily upon insertion into the skin, allowing for sustained release of the agent without the need for prolonged device wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If microneedle arrays are used for transdermal drug delivery, then drug delivery through skin is enabled, but the device requires prolonged wear which is inconvenient and painful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of drug deliveryVSAvoidconvenience of device wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The microneedle array is divided into two separate layers: a proximal layer that remains on the skin surface and a distal layer containing the therapeutic agent that detaches and remains in the skin. This segmentation allows the device to provide sustained drug delivery without requiring prolonged wear of the entire array, as only the proximal layer needs to be removed after insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distal layer containing the therapeutic agent is extracted from the main array structure and designed to detach upon insertion. This extracted portion remains in the skin to provide sustained drug release, while the main array body is removed, eliminating the need for prolonged wear and reducing inconvenience and pain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the distal layer detaches readily upon insertion, then sustained drug release is achieved without prolonged wear, but the detachment mechanism must be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesustained drug release periodVSAvoiddetachment control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The interface between the proximal and distal layers is designed with specific local properties (adhesive characteristics) that enable controlled detachment. The distal layer is formulated with materials and adhesive properties that allow it to detach readily upon insertion while maintaining structural integrity during application, achieving precise detachment control through localized material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive properties at the interface between layers are carefully controlled through material selection and formulation. By adjusting parameters such as adhesive strength, layer thickness, and material composition, the detachment behavior is precisely controlled to occur at the desired moment during insertion, enabling sustained release without requiring complex manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a biodegradable polymer is used in the distal layer, then the detached layer degrades safely in the skin, but the polymer selection and formulation become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of degraded materials in skinVSAvoidpolymer formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distal layer is formulated as a composite material system incorporating biodegradable polymers (such as PLGA, PLA, or PCL) with specific therapeutic agents. This composite approach ensures safe degradation into biocompatible byproducts while maintaining the necessary mechanical and release properties. The complexity is managed by selecting from established biodegradable polymer families with known safety profiles and degradation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables effective, minimally invasive, and pain-free sustained delivery of therapeutic agents, with a significant portion of the distal layer detaching and remaining in the skin to provide prolonged drug release.

Implementation Method 1

the microstructures comprising a biodegradable distal layer and at least one proximal layer positioned between the distal layer and the first surface of the backing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the distal layer detaches readily upon insertion of the array into skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

the distal layer comprised of at least one therapeutic agent and at least one polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS11052231B2Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent and methods of use

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 PANTHER LIFE SCIENCES CORP

AI summary

Devices and methods for using and manufacturing microstructure arrays having at least a detachable distal area are described.