Electronically Controlled Inhalation for Small Airway Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for severe oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma and other respiratory diseases often require high doses of orally administered corticosteroids, leading to severe side effects and challenges in reducing the need for these medications, as existing inhalation devices lack precise targeting to the small airways and efficient delivery protocols.
Innovation Solution
A drug and device combination system that uses an electronically controlled inhalation system to deliver inhalable corticosteroids with controlled flow rates and volumes, targeting the small airways of the lungs, thereby minimizing deposition in the upper lungs and oropharyngeal area, and allowing for precise dosing and individualized treatment protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high doses of orally administered corticosteroids are used to treat severe asthma, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but severe side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the corticosteroid treatment from the oral administration route and delivers it directly to the lungs via inhalation, removing the systemic circulation pathway that causes side effects while maintaining therapeutic effect in the target organ
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by delivering the drug directly to the small airways where it is needed, rather than systemic administration. The electronically controlled inhalation system ensures the drug is deposited precisely in the small airways, creating a localized high concentration at the target site while minimizing systemic exposure
2Quantity of substance
If existing inhalation devices are used to deliver corticosteroids, then the drug is administered to the lungs, but precise targeting to small airways is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using an electronically controlled inhalation system that can dynamically adjust flow rates, volumes, and timing based on patient-specific parameters and real-time feedback, enabling precise control of drug delivery to achieve accurate targeting of small airways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the electronically controlled system monitors inhalation flow and volume, and adjusts drug delivery parameters in real-time to ensure precise deposition in the small airways, with the ability to provide feedback to the patient regarding adherence to the treatment protocol
3Quantity of substance
If conventional inhalation methods are used, then the drug is delivered to the lungs, but deposition in upper lungs and oropharyngeal area occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the inhalation process into distinct phases (particle-free air phase, aerosol phase, and another particle-free air phase) to control where the drug deposits in the respiratory tract, ensuring delivery to small airways while avoiding upper airway deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local conditions in different phases of inhalation: the first particle-free air phase prepares the airways, the aerosol phase delivers drug to small airways, and the second particle-free air phase clears the upper airways, creating spatial differentiation in drug deposition
4Object-generated harmful factors
If oral corticosteroids are reduced or eliminated, then side effects decrease, but treatment efficacy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/systemic delivery mechanism (oral administration through gastrointestinal absorption and systemic circulation) with a direct pulmonary delivery mechanism, substituting the delivery pathway while maintaining the therapeutic agent and its efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the administration route parameter from oral to inhalation, and further optimizes by using electronically controlled flow rates and volumes, transforming the delivery parameters to achieve both efficacy and safety
Data Source
AI summary
A drug and device combination system used in a method for treatment of patients suffering from severe and oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma and other respiratory diseases requiring a treatment with orally administered steroids. The method for administration of the inhalable corticosteroid by a flow rate and volume regulated inhalation. The combination system of the inhalable corticosteroid and the device for regulating flow rate and volume of the inhalable corticosteroid and thus achieving delivery of said inhalable corticosteroid into the small airways of the lungs. The individually programmable device that assures safe and reproducible corticosteroid delivery compliant with treatment protocol.