Controlled Water-Soluble Droplets for Retro-Nasal Receptor Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems for olfactory substances are inadequate as mobile, personal, and targeted systems that effectively alter human behavior or modulate metabolic processes, with inefficiencies in delivering active substances to nasal receptors and rapid clearance from the nose.
Innovation Solution
Formulations of active substances in readily-soluble water droplets with median sizes of 2-50 microns, delivered via retro-nasal route to target TRPV, olfactory, and taste receptors, using portable devices that ensure deposition in the nasal epithelium and minimize lung penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional delivery systems (nebulizer, metered dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler) are used to deliver active substances to the nose, then delivery to nasal epithelium is achieved, but delivery efficiency is low and clearance from the nose is rapid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the delivered substance by formulating it as a mist with specific droplet size (1-10 microns) and controlling concentration (50-500 micrograms/mL). This parameter optimization ensures the mist is small enough to reach nasal receptors efficiently but large enough to avoid lung penetration, while the concentration range ensures sufficient receptor activation without excessive clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a nebulizing device that employs pneumatic principles to convert liquid formulation into a mist of fine droplets. The pneumatic nebulizer creates a cloud of aerosolized droplets that can be inhaled and delivered directly to the nasal epithelium, improving delivery efficiency compared to conventional spray or sniffing methods
2Quantity of substance
If spices are ingested traditionally with food, then taste and olfactory sensations are produced, but large quantities are swallowed and only a fraction reaches nasal receptors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the active substances from traditional food matrices and delivers them directly to the nasal receptors in isolation. By removing the substances from their usual food context and delivering them as a concentrated mist, the system ensures that the full amount reaches the target receptors without being diluted or swallowed with food
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary delivery medium (aerosol mist) to transport active substances from the formulation to the nasal receptors. This mist medium allows the substances to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and deliver directly to the olfactory and taste receptors in the nasal epithelium, improving the fraction that reaches the target
3Reliability
If high concentrations of active substances are delivered to ensure physiological response, then receptor activation is achieved, but gastrointestinal tract delivery increases and side effects may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering active substances specifically to the nasal epithelium rather than systemically or to the gastrointestinal tract. The mist formulation with controlled droplet size (1-10 microns) and concentration (50-500 micrograms/mL) ensures local deposition at the nasal receptors, achieving reliable physiological response while minimizing gastrointestinal delivery and associated side effects
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
Enhances the efficiency of delivering active substances to nasal receptors, achieving greater physiological response with minimal gastrointestinal tract delivery, and producing up- or down-regulation of metabolism with reduced nominal doses.
Implementation Method 1
The composition is delivered to the nose in a form that is quickly dissolved and distributed, such as a mist or aerosol
Implementation Method 2
Formulations of active substances in readily-soluble water droplets... which are quickly dissolved and distributed
Data Source
AI summary
A composition of food or therapeutic and other substances for administration as a cloud of droplets, the cloud comprising readily-soluble droplets having a median size range of approximately 3 microns to approximately 20 microns, or 5 microns to 10 microns, or 6 microns to 10 microns, for introduction to an animal via an ortho-nasal or retro-nasal route. Agonists or antagonists may include one or more of the following: sodium iodide, sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, capsaicin, piperine, linalool, ground cinnamon, a cannabinoid, pimento, onion, clove, thyme, ginger, menthol, or TRPV antagonists, and chocolate, Irish cream, caramel, lemon, lime, mango, raspberry, watermelon, blueberry, strawberry, mint, popcorn, meat, Resolvin D2 or nicotine. Devices for delivering compositions as an aerosol are described.