Botulinum Toxin Injection for Neuroexcitatory Chemical Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders such as Dry Eye Syndrome, autism, tolerance to narcotics, vestibular vertigo, and tinnitus face challenges in specifically targeting overproduction of neuroexcitatory chemicals like glutamate, substance P, and CGRP without affecting normal levels, leading to side effects and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Administration of botulinum toxin via subcutaneous or intradermal injection around specific nerves like the trigeminal and cervical nerves to selectively target and reduce the overproduction of glutamate, substance P, and CGRP, using types A, B, C, D, E, F, or G, with dosages adjusted for age and weight, to alleviate symptoms without affecting normal neural function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If receptor antagonists are used to block glutamate, substance P, and CGRP, then neuroexcitatory effects are reduced, but normal levels of these chemicals are also affected causing side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in reducing neuroexcitatory effectsVSAvoidside effects from blocking normal chemical levels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using botulinum toxin injections at specific anatomical locations (trigeminal nerve, cervical nerve, occipital nerve) to target only the pathological overproduction of neuroexcitatory chemicals in affected areas, while leaving normal chemical levels in other regions unaffected. This localized approach resolves the contradiction by achieving therapeutic effect without systemic side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the treatment approach by dividing the body into specific treatment zones (trigeminal, cervical, occipital regions) and applying botulinum toxin only to those segments with pathological overproduction. This segmentation allows selective reduction of harmful neuroexcitatory effects while preserving normal function in untreated segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If monoclonal antibodies are used to eliminate glutamate, CGRP, and substance P, then neuroexcitatory effects are blocked, but normal production and function are also eliminated causing disastrous side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking of neuroexcitatory effectsVSAvoiddisastrous side effects from eliminating normal function

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using botulinum toxin to reduce only the excessive production of neuroexcitatory chemicals caused by nerve damage, not to eliminate them completely. The treatment targets the pathological overproduction while allowing normal physiological levels to continue functioning, thus avoiding the disastrous side effects of complete elimination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If botulinum toxin is injected to paralyze muscles, then overactive muscles are calmed, but the effect lasts only 3-4 months requiring repeated injections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalming of overactive musclesVSAvoidduration of muscle paralysis effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by scheduling repeat botulinum toxin injections at intervals of 3-4 months to maintain therapeutic effect. This periodic administration resolves the contradiction by providing continuous muscle calming through regularly spaced treatments, with each injection lasting the full 3-4 month duration before the next is administered

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If botulinum toxin is used to treat sensory nerves, then overproduction of neuroexcitatory compounds is stopped, but the toxin must be precisely dosed to avoid affecting normal levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestopping of overproductionVSAvoidprecision of toxin dosing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by injecting botulinum toxin directly at the site of nerve damage or overproduction (trigeminal, cervical, or occipital nerve regions), ensuring the toxin acts locally on the pathological process without affecting normal neuroexcitatory production in other areas. This localized application reduces the precision required for dosing compared to systemic administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method effectively reduces symptoms by normalizing glutamate and CGRP levels, providing sustained relief for several months, allowing patients to manage chronic conditions without systemic side effects, as demonstrated in case studies for various disorders.

Implementation Method 1

Botulinum toxins cleave and destroy a protein called synaptosomal nerve-associated protein 25 ('SNAP25') and/or synaptobrevin (also called vesicle-associated membrane protein ('VAMP'))

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProteolytic cleavage:

Data Source

PatentUS11241479B2Treatment methods using botulinum toxins

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 PENLAND FOUND

AI summary

A method of tolerance to narcotics in a patient in need thereof comprises administering a botulinum toxin to the patient. The botulinum toxin is selected from the group consisting of botulinum toxin type A, botulinum toxin type B, botulinum toxin type C, botulinum toxin type D, botulinum toxin type E, botulinum toxin type F and botulinum toxin type G, a fragment thereof, a hybrid thereof, a chimera thereof, and a combination thereof. The botulinum toxin may be administered by subcutaneous/intradermal injection. The subcutaneous/intradermal injection may be administered to and/or around the vicinity of a trigeminal nerve, a cervical nerve, a thoracic nerve, a lumbar nerve, and a sacral nerve of the patient. The therapeutically effective amount of the botulinum toxin administered is between about 1 unit and about 150 units.