Bioprinting Rod for Round Window Therapeutic Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering therapeutic agents to the inner ear, such as the round window, face challenges including high risk of neurosensory lesions, lack of control over dose administration, and contamination of surrounding tissues.

Innovation Solution

A medical device utilizing bioprinting technology with a rod body containing a bioprinting cartridge that uses an absorbent compound to convert laser radiation into thermal energy, allowing for precise and controlled ejection of therapeutic agent droplets onto the round window membrane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct intracochlear injection via microcatheter is used, then therapeutic agent can be delivered to the inner ear, but high risk of neurosensory lesion and mechanical trauma occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of inner ear structuresVSAvoidfeasibility of injection method

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (absorbent compound) that converts laser energy to thermal energy, which then vaporizes the therapeutic agent solution to create a jet. This intermediary mechanism allows non-contact delivery, eliminating mechanical trauma to the round window membrane while still achieving therapeutic agent delivery to the inner ear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical injection system (microcatheter piercing and pushing through membrane) with a thermal-vaporization system using laser energy. The laser-heated jet propels the therapeutic agent without mechanical contact, substituting mechanical force with thermal energy conversion and vapor pressure-driven ejection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If local transtympanic injection method is used, then therapeutic agent can be delivered to the inner ear, but control over penetration and dosage is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over therapeutic agent deliveryVSAvoidprecision of deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables precise control by changing key parameters: the laser pulse duration, laser power, absorbent compound concentration, and distance from the round window membrane are all controllable parameters that allow precise adjustment of jet velocity, droplet size, and penetration depth, thereby controlling dosage and delivery while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If local transtympanic injection method is used, then therapeutic agent can be delivered to the inner ear, but contamination of surrounding tissues and inhalation risk occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsence of contaminationVSAvoidsimplicity of injection procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vaporized jet acts as an intermediary that transports the therapeutic agent through the air-filled middle ear space without direct contact with surrounding tissues. The agent is delivered as a focused vapor plume that condenses or diffuses into the inner ear fluids, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining procedural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the therapeutic agent from liquid form and delivers it as a vaporized jet, separating the delivery mechanism from the surrounding middle ear environment. This extraction of the agent into vapor phase allows it to pass through the middle ear without contaminating tissues, then condense or dissolve into the inner ear fluids at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 precise targeting and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to the inner ear, minimizing the risk of lesions and contamination, while ensuring accurate dosage administration.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent compound arranged to convert light energy from laser radiation into thermal energy and arranged to cause heating of said solution comprising a therapeutic agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight energy to thermal energy conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

creating local vaporization of said solution until the formation of a vapor bubble whose explosion generates the ejection of a microdroplet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLocal vaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

an optical fiber extending longitudinally within a lumen of the rod body for directing laser flow onto the absorbent compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS20250041564A1Medical device for the targeted application of a therapeutic agent to the round window of the cochlea

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 UNIVERSITE DE BORDEAUX

AI summary

A medical device for the delivery of a therapeutic agent by bioprinting including a rod body including a bioprinting cartridge arranged near the distal end of the rod body including a top layer including a solution containing a therapeutic agent; and an absorbent compound capable of converting light energy from laser radiation into thermal energy and arranged to cause heating of the solution including a therapeutic agent to cause a jet of the solution; an optical fiber extending longitudinally within a lumen of the rod body to deliver laser flow onto the absorbing compound.