Delivery Device With Interpenetrating Polymer Network Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery devices for chemical substances lack the ability to provide controlled, long-term release with high accuracy and safety, often incorporating undesired organic solvents and lacking flexibility in release profiles.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device featuring a closed cavity with an inner surface coated by an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) substrate, comprising a host polymer and a guest polymer that form substantially continuous pathways, allowing for controlled release of chemical substances without organic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If hydrogels are used as delivery devices with chemical compounds embedded in the matrix, then the device can deliver chemical substances, but the release control accuracy and duration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is segmented into multiple functional layers: a hydrogel matrix for drug loading, a semi-permeable membrane for controlled release, and a reservoir for sustained drug supply. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, achieving both long duration and accurate control
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a composite structure combining hydrogel material with semi-permeable membrane properties. The hydrogel provides high drug loading capacity while the semi-permeable membrane component enables precise release control through size-selective permeability, resolving the contradiction between duration and accuracy
2Quantity of substance
If organic solvents are used in the delivery device, then the chemical compound can be loaded and released, but safety is compromised due to undesired organic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the physical-chemical parameters of the delivery system by using aqueous buffers instead of organic solvents, and by controlling the hydrogel's mesh size and membrane permeability parameters to enable drug release in a safe, solvent-free environment
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel matrix creates an inert, biocompatible aqueous environment that eliminates harmful organic solvents while maintaining drug stability and deliverability through controlled porosity and swelling properties
3Ease of manufacture
If the delivery device structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide flexible release profiles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel-membrane composite structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: drug loading, controlled release, and profile adjustment. By modifying single parameters like membrane thickness or hydrogel crosslinking density, different release profiles can be achieved without redesigning the entire device, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing versatility
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 delivery device enables controlled, sustained release of chemical substances over a long period with high accuracy and safety, avoiding the use of organic solvents and offering flexibility in desired release profiles.
Implementation Method 1
the guest polymer is interpenetrating the host polymer to form substantially continuous pathways within the host polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device suitable for delivering a chemical substance, e.g. a medical device such as a catheter, a microcapsule, an implantable capsule or a P-ring, or a delivery device for use in the construction industries e.g. in the form of microcapsules comprising antifouling agent for marine paint. The delivery device includes a closed cavity, the cavity is defined by an innermost wall surface, wherein at least a section of the inner wall surface constitutes an inner surface of a delivery membrane wherein the delivery membrane includes an interpenetrating polymer network substrate comprising a host polymer and a guest polymer, where the guest polymer is interpenetrating the host polymer to form substantially continuous pathways within said host polymer.