Bioerodible End Plug Aperture for Controlled Drug Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in achieving controlled and efficient release of drugs, particularly in inaccessible tissue sites, with issues such as incomplete drug dispensing and high manufacturing costs associated with microscale orifices in silicone tubing.

Innovation Solution

A drug delivery device with an elongated drug reservoir and a retention frame, featuring end plugs with apertures that can change dimensions due to bioerodible materials, allowing for controlled drug release and minimizing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If laser drilling is used to create microscale orifices in silicone tubing, then controlled drug release is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled drug releaseVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive laser drilling of silicone tubing with a cost-effective alternative: forming orifices in a bioerodible polymer end plug that is discarded after use. The end plug is made from inexpensive bioerodible material and is replaced periodically, eliminating the need for costly laser drilling equipment and processes while maintaining controlled drug release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical laser drilling process with a different mechanism: forming orifices in a bioerodible polymer material that degrades over time. This replaces the complex mechanical laser system with a simpler chemical/biological degradation process, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If diffusion or osmosis mechanisms are used for drug dispensing, then drug release is achieved, but complete drug dispensing is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug releaseVSAvoidincomplete drug dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic orifice system where the bioerodible polymer end plug gradually degrades over time, causing the orifice size to increase progressively. This dynamic change in orifice dimensions allows the system to adapt to changing drug concentrations and release requirements, enabling more complete drug dispensing compared to static diffusion or osmosis systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in the physical and chemical parameters of the bioerodible polymer over time. As the polymer degrades, its molecular structure changes, leading to increased porosity and larger effective orifice size. This parameter change enables the system to overcome the limitations of diffusion and osmosis by providing progressively larger pathways for drug release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If extended period drug release is needed, then treatment duration is improved, but device volume must be sufficiently large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment durationVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes temporal parameter changes through bioerodible polymer degradation to extend treatment duration without increasing initial device volume. The end plug starts small and gradually degrades over months, progressively increasing orifice size and maintaining drug release capability throughout the extended treatment period, thereby achieving long-duration therapy from a compact initial device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device ensures complete drug release with controlled kinetics, reducing waste and manufacturing expenses, while maintaining minimal patient discomfort and effective drug delivery to targeted tissues.

Implementation Method 1

the aperture is defined by a bioerodible material configured to degrade in vivo such that the opening of the aperture effective for drug release increases as drug is released

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBioerodible material degradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

In some drug delivery devices that rely on diffusion, osmosis or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

In some drug delivery devices that rely on diffusion, osmosis or a combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS10137287B2Drug delivery devices and methods for controlled drug release through device orifice

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 JANSSEN BIOTECH INC

AI summary

A drug delivery device is provided. In an embodiment, the device includes a device body having an elongated drug reservoir lumen, a drug positioned in the drug reservoir lumen, and at least one end plug positioned at an end of the device body, for example inserted in an end of the drug reservoir lumen. The end plug may include an aperture therethough, and the drug delivery device may be configured to release the drug from the drug reservoir lumen through the aperture.