Biodegradable Implants for Nasal Rhinitis Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for rhinitis, such as oral drugs and nasal sprays, provide temporary relief and require systemic drug regimens, while surgical options like sinus surgery are invasive and not always feasible, necessitating a method for long-lasting, effective delivery of therapeutic compounds directly to the nasal passages.
Innovation Solution
Creating pockets within the inferior turbinate of the nasal passage and inserting biodegradable implants containing therapeutic compounds, which can be made of biomaterials like chitosan, allowing for extended release and absorption, eliminating the need for removal and providing relief without systemic drug regimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If oral drugs are used to treat rhinitis, then the treatment can be administered systemically, but the drugs take time to work and require ongoing regimens
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is placed directly into the inferior turbinate tissue beforehand, pre-positioning the therapeutic compound at the target site. This preliminary placement eliminates the need for systemic absorption and immediate onset is achieved as the compound is already in contact with the affected tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between systemic administration and direct tissue application. It provides localized delivery through the inferior turbinate, combining the benefits of direct tissue contact with sustained release capabilities.
2Quantity of substance
If nasal sprays are used to deliver medicine directly to the nasal passage, then the medicine is delivered more directly, but the medicine is sprayed randomly and relief is not consistent
Solution Approach 1:
The implant provides localized therapy specifically at the inferior turbinate site where the pathology is most prominent. This local concentration of therapeutic compound ensures precise delivery to the affected area, eliminating the random distribution associated with nasal sprays.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant self-regulates the delivery of therapeutic compound through controlled release mechanisms inherent in the implant material. This self-service delivery system maintains consistent local concentration without requiring patient intervention or precise timing of administration.
3Reliability
If sinus surgery is performed to remove excess tissue, then the symptoms are relieved, but the procedure is invasive and requires surgery
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing large amounts of tissue through surgery, the implant extracts only the necessary therapeutic function by delivering concentrated medication locally. This minimally invasive approach achieves symptom relief without the need for extensive tissue removal or surgical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment changes the parameter of therapeutic compound concentration locally at the inferior turbinate site. By concentrating the medication at the target site through the implant, effective treatment is achieved with minimal tissue manipulation, avoiding the need for invasive surgical procedures.
4Duration of action of moving object
If steroids are applied to the surface of mucosal tissue, then the tissue is treated, but the steroids cannot remain on the tissue for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The steroid therapeutic compound is nested within the implant matrix structure. This nesting allows the steroid to be contained and protected within the implant, enabling prolonged presence at the treatment site without the rapid washout that occurs with surface application alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant uses composite materials that combine the steroid with a delivery matrix. This composite structure allows the steroid to be released slowly over time, extending its presence on the tissue from minutes to days or weeks, thereby achieving sustained therapeutic effect.
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
This method combines pharmaceutical and surgical approaches to deliver therapeutic compounds directly to the nasal passages, offering long-lasting relief from rhinitis symptoms without the need for invasive procedures or follow-up appointments, using biodegradable implants that can last for several days.
Implementation Method 1
The inserted implants are biodegraded over a period of time in the body of the patient, rendering a removal process/procedure unnecessary
Implementation Method 2
Pharmaceutical compositions have been developed that allow for the uptake of therapeutic compounds across the mucosal surface
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method comprising: creating one or more pockets within an inferior turbinate of a patient, inserting one or more it that are easily inserted into the one or more pockets, wherein the one or more implants contain one or more therapeutic compounds and the one or more implants do not need to be removed from the inferior turbinate after implantation into the one or more pockets.