Controlled Delivery Compositions for Wound Closure and Scar Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chronic wounds fail to close due to disruptions in blood supply, leading to delayed healing and excessive fibrotic scarring, as existing treatments do not effectively manage the dynamic phases of wound healing and scarring.

Innovation Solution

A controlled delivery method using a hydrogel or coacervate composition that includes a first agent promoting wound closure and a second agent inhibiting scarring, with the first agent released rapidly and the second agent released gradually, enhancing wound healing while minimizing scarring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single treatment is applied to promote wound closure, then wound healing is accelerated, but excessive fibrotic scarring occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure rateVSAvoidfibrotic scarring

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment is segmented into two distinct agents with different functions: a first agent (e.g., VEGF) that promotes wound closure and vascularization, and a second agent (e.g., TGF-β inhibitor) that prevents fibrotic scarring. These agents are delivered separately through a controlled delivery system that releases them at different rates, allowing the pro-healing agent to act first while the anti-scarring agent provides delayed protection against excessive scar formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first agent that promotes wound closure is released rapidly and acts first to accelerate healing and vascularization. The second agent that inhibits scarring is released with a delay, providing preliminary protection against fibrotic scarring before it can develop excessively. This temporal sequencing ensures that wound closure is prioritized initially, with scarring prevention activated subsequently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple agents are administered simultaneously, then both wound closure and scarring prevention are addressed, but the dynamic timing requirements of wound healing phases are not met

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-agent treatment capabilityVSAvoidtiming optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is designed to be dynamic rather than static, with different release rates for different agents. The hydrogel matrix and coacervate encapsulation create a dynamic release profile where the first agent is released rapidly initially, then the release rate slows down and the second agent begins to release. This dynamic temporal control matches the changing requirements of wound healing phases without requiring multiple separate application procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If rapid release of pro-healing agent is used, then wound closure is accelerated, but premature scarring inhibition may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewound closure speedVSAvoidscarring inhibition timing

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system implements periodic action with distinct release phases: an initial rapid release phase for the first pro-healing agent, followed by a transition phase, and then a delayed release phase for the second anti-scarring agent. This periodic release pattern ensures that each agent acts at the optimal time for its function, with the scarring inhibition agent released only after wound closure has been initiated, preventing premature interference with the healing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Accelerates wound closure and reduces fibrotic scarring by optimizing the delivery of therapeutic agents to enhance vascularization and tissue repair, improving healing outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

the first agent is released from the hydrogel at a faster rate than the second agent is released from the coacervate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the second agent which is encapsulated in a coacervate, such that upon administration of the controlled delivery composition, the first agent is released from the hydrogel at a faster rate than the second agent is released from the coacervate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

a second coacervate that includes the second agent, wherein the second coacervate is encapsulated by lipids, thereby forming a lipo-coacervate, such that upon administration of the controlled delivery composition, the first agent is released from the first coacervate prior to release of the second agent from the lipo-coacervate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20250241987A1Compositions and methods for promoting wound healing and minimizing scarring

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 CORNELL UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Controlled delivery compositions and methods that enhance wound closure and reduce fibrotic scarring are described. The methods include treating a wound in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a first agent that promotes wound closure and a therapeutically effective amount of a second agent that inhibits scarring. The controlled delivery compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of a first agent that promotes wound closure and a therapeutically effective amount of a second agent that inhibits scarring. The controlled delivery compositions permit rapid release of the first agent and delayed release of the second agent.