Degradable Implant Micro-particles Sustained Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable drug delivery systems face challenges such as delayed drug release due to the need for bodily fluids to decompose the polymeric matrix, irregular release patterns, and the inability to deliver multiple drugs simultaneously, which limits their effectiveness in treating complex diseases like HIV and other infectious conditions.
Innovation Solution
A degradable, removable pharmaceutical implant comprising a tube with a biodegradable polymer outer wall and micro-particles containing active agents, where the micro-particles are sized to prevent passage through the tube's openings, allowing for sustained release of one or more drugs and enabling the delivery of multiple drugs simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a polymeric matrix is used for sustained drug release, then the duration of action is improved, but the time lag before drug delivery increases due to the need for bodily fluids to decompose the matrix
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is segmented into multiple microparticles containing individual drug units, which are dispersed within the polymeric matrix. This segmentation allows bodily fluids to access and dissolve individual microparticles simultaneously throughout the matrix, eliminating the time lag associated with decomposing a solid polymeric barrier. The microparticles are sized to remain trapped within the matrix while still being accessible to degrading enzymes and fluids.
2Device complexity
If a single-drug implant is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the versatility is limited when treating complex diseases requiring multiple drugs
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed as a universal platform that can incorporate multiple different microparticle formulations within a single device. Each microparticle can contain different drugs or drug combinations, allowing the same basic implant structure to serve multiple therapeutic functions. This multi-functionality enables treatment of complex diseases like HIV that require multiple drugs, while maintaining relative structural simplicity through the use of a single polymeric matrix type.
3Speed
If the polymeric matrix is made more degradable to reduce time lag, then the speed of drug delivery is improved, but the sustained release capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant exhibits local quality variations through its microparticle structure. The microparticles themselves are made of degradable material that rapidly dissolves upon contact with bodily fluids, providing fast initial drug release. However, the overall polymeric matrix maintains a controlled degradation rate that sustains release over the desired duration. This local differentiation between microparticle degradation (fast) and matrix degradation (controlled) resolves the contradiction between release speed and sustained duration.
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 solution enables controlled, sustained release of multiple drugs, improving treatment efficacy and compliance, and allows for the removal of the implant in case of adverse events, addressing the limitations of existing systems by ensuring consistent and comprehensive drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the outer wall has a plurality of openings and wherein the cavity contains one or more sets of micro-particles
Implementation Method 2
The microparticles contain an active ingredient or a combination of two or more active ingredients and are conceived such that they release the active ingredient upon contact with bodily fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A degradable, removable, pharmaceutical implant for the sustained release of one or more drugs in a subject, wherein the pharmaceutical implant is composed of a tube comprising an outer wall made of a degradable polymer completely surrounding a cavity, wherein the outer wall has a plurality of openings and wherein the cavity contains one or more sets of micro-particles, which micro-particles contain an active agent or a combination of two or more active agents, and wherein the size of the microparticles is selected such that the majority of the microparticles cannot pass through the openings.