Biodegradable Polymer Microimplants for Sustained Drug Delivery
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drug and live cell delivery, such as microneedle arrays, face limitations in material selection due to the need for sharp edges for tissue penetration, which restricts the use of softer materials like hydrogels, and lack effective solutions for sustained delivery of iron for anemia treatment and antifungal drugs for nail infections, as well as inefficiencies in delivering Botox and vaccines without causing side effects or waste.
Innovation Solution
Development of biodegradable or biostable polymer-based microimplants that can be formed in situ within the skin tissue, allowing for the creation of artificial cavities to house drug or cell compositions, eliminating the need for sharp edges and enabling sustained release, and using oscillating needles or microneedle arrays for precise delivery of iron and antifungal agents, and delivering Botox in a solid state to reduce waste and side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If microneedle arrays are used for drug delivery, then sharp edges are needed for tissue penetration, but this restricts the use of softer materials like hydrogels
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle array is divided into two functional parts: a biodegradable support structure that provides mechanical strength and sharp edges for penetration, and a separate drug-containing composition that can be made from softer materials like hydrogels. The support structure degrades after insertion, leaving the drug composition to deliver therapeutically.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction where a biodegradable polymer support (such as PLA or PGA) is combined with a drug-containing composition (such as hydrogel-based formulations). The support provides the necessary mechanical properties for sharp edges and tissue penetration, while the drug composition can utilize softer, more versatile materials that would otherwise be unsuitable for microneedle construction.
2Duration of action of moving object
If biodegradable polymers are used for microimplants, then sustained delivery is achieved, but manufacturing precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The biodegradable polymer support structure is pre-formed with precise geometric features (such as microneedle shapes and cavity structures) before implantation. This preliminary manufacturing of the support structure allows for high precision in the delivery device, while the biodegradable nature enables sustained drug release over time as the support gradually degrades in the body.
3Reliability
If iron supplements are delivered for anemia treatment, then treatment efficacy is improved, but side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The iron supplement delivery system extracts iron from its traditional oral supplement form and delivers it directly to the target tissue through microneedle arrays. This localized delivery bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating common side effects such as constipation and nausea while maintaining treatment efficacy for anemia.
4Reliability
If antifungal drugs are delivered for nail infections, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but drug waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antifungal drug composition is delivered locally directly to the infected nail tissue through microneedle arrays. This localized delivery concentrates the drug where it is needed most, improving treatment effectiveness while minimizing systemic exposure and reducing overall drug consumption, thereby reducing drug waste.
5Ease of operation
If Botox is delivered in liquid form, then delivery is simple, but side effects and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Botox composition is delivered in a solid or semi-solid state within the microneedle array rather than as a liquid injection. This phase change allows for precise dosage control, reduced diffusion to surrounding tissues (minimizing side effects), and elimination of the need for complex reconstitution and injection procedures, maintaining ease of use while improving safety.
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 approach enables efficient, minimally invasive, and sustained drug or cell delivery with reduced side effects and waste, improving treatment efficacy for conditions like anemia, nail infections, and surgical pain, while allowing for the use of softer materials and precise control over drug release.
Implementation Method 1
The microimplants may be made from biostable or biodegradable polymer
Implementation Method 2
using oscillating needles or microneedle arrays for precise delivery
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses methods and composition to form biodegradable polymer implant arrays in the live tissue. Artificial cavities are created in the live tissue by using laser ablation, oscillating needle, microneedle array and other methods. The cavities are then filled with biodegradable polymer solution. The solvent in the polymer solution is dissipated in the tissue to form a biodegradable polymer implant in artificial cavities. The cavities and implants formed are arranged to form of an array of implants. The biodegradable polymer in the cavity can also be loaded with drug to form biodegradable drug delivery array in the live tissue.