Buoyant Controlled-Release Particles for Intravesical UTI Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs) are inadequate, particularly for elderly patients, as they often require continuous oral antibiotics, leading to resistance and complications, and methods to clear post-void residual urine are invasive or temporary, while systemic drug delivery is inefficient and requires high doses.
Innovation Solution
A formulation for intravesicular administration of pharmacologically active agents using buoyant, controlled-release particles that remain in the bladder to maintain therapeutic drug concentrations, disrupting biofilms and minimizing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous oral antibiotics are administered to treat UTIs, then bacterial infection is controlled, but antibiotic resistance develops and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment is segmented into local bladder therapy using intravesicular particles rather than systemic oral antibiotics. This localized approach delivers high concentrations of antibiotic directly to the infection site while minimizing systemic exposure, thereby controlling infection without promoting widespread antibiotic resistance or systemic side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the therapeutic effect specifically in the bladder through intravesicular administration. The particles release antibiotics locally at high concentrations where needed, achieving reliable infection control while avoiding the harmful effects associated with continuous oral antibiotic therapy
2Quantity of substance
If high doses of antibiotics are administered systemically to treat UTIs, then effective drug concentration is achieved in the urinary tract, but the volume of distribution increases and therapy is voided with each bladder emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The intravesicular particles perform self-service by remaining retained in the bladder and continuously releasing antibiotics locally. This eliminates the need for systemic circulation and prevents drug voiding with urine, maintaining effective drug concentration at the infection site without the loss associated with bladder emptying
Solution Approach 2:
The intravesicular particles act as an intermediary carrier that delivers and retains antibiotics within the bladder. This intermediary system allows sustained local release of high drug concentrations without requiring systemic circulation or being affected by bladder voiding cycles
3Reliability
If catheter insertion is used to drain post-void residual urine, then bacteria reservoir is removed, but the procedure is painful and psychologically traumatizing
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than mechanically removing PVR through painful catheterization, the patent converts the problem by having particles float on the PVR surface and release antibiotics directly onto the bacteria reservoir. This transforms the harmful stagnant urine into a controlled delivery system that eliminates bacteria without requiring invasive procedures or causing patient distress
4Reliability
If bladder outlet obstruction is treated by surgical widening of urethral narrowing, then PVR is reduced, but a separate procedure or surgery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The intravesicular particles serve multiple functions: they treat active UTIs, prevent recurrent infections, and address bacteria in PVR without requiring separate surgical procedures for bladder outlet obstruction. This universal approach manages multiple urinary tract problems through a single non-invasive administration method
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
Provides sustained drug release in the bladder, reducing bacterial growth and infection risk without systemic side effects, suitable for long-term treatment of UTIs and other urinary disorders.
Implementation Method 1
Because the particles are buoyant in urine, they float to the surface of urine that is present in the bladder
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include intravesical therapies for the treatment of ailments such as urinary system disorders. A controlled release drug delivery system is administered into the urinary bladder of a patient. Controlled release particles in the formulation can include a pharmacologically active agent and an excipient (i.e., controlled release carrier). Particle buoyancy in urine and size ensure that the formulation is retained within a patient's bladder and releases the active agent into the bladder through the duration of an extended drug delivery time period. Methods of treating urinary system disorders by intravesicular administration of the particle formulation are also described, and include methods of treating urinary system infections, bladder cancer, incontinence, and other urinary system disorders.