Biodegradable Disc Implants for Sustained Intervertebral Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for intervertebral disc pain, such as epidural steroid injections, provide temporary relief and pose risks, while surgical interventions are invasive and not targeted at the disc itself, necessitating a need for improved pain management that directly targets the intervertebral disc.
Innovation Solution
Biomaterial compositions and implants containing biodegradable microparticles loaded with active pharmaceutical agents, such as anesthetics, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents, configured for controlled release over time, which can be administered directly to the intervertebral disc or implanted as a spacer, providing sustained pain relief without surgical extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epidural steroid injections are used for pain management, then temporary pain relief is achieved, but the treatment does not target the intervertebral disc directly and poses infection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the therapeutic function from the epidural space and relocates it directly to the intervertebral disc through implantable devices. The device delivers medication directly to the disc tissue, separating the treatment target from the epidural space and eliminating the associated infection risks while maintaining pain relief effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an implantable device as an intermediary between the medication and the intervertebral disc. This device serves as a controlled delivery system that releases medication directly at the target site, replacing the direct injection method and reducing harmful effects while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
2Duration of action of moving object
If epidural steroid injections are administered, then pain relief is provided, but the duration of effect is limited to about 3 months requiring repeated treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by loading the implantable device with a sufficient quantity of medication before implantation. The device is pre-filled with medication reservoirs that provide sustained release over an extended period, eliminating the need for repeated treatments and maintaining pain relief for months or years after a single implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action through the implantable device's sustained medication release mechanism. The device continuously delivers medication at controlled rates, maintaining therapeutic levels over an extended period without interruption, thereby providing continuous pain relief and eliminating treatment gaps associated with repeated injections.
3Reliability
If surgical intervention is performed when conservative treatments fail, then pain management is achieved, but the procedure is invasive and not targeted at the disc itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by designing an implantable device that autonomously delivers medication to the intervertebral disc without requiring ongoing surgical intervention. The device is implanted once and then self-manages medication delivery through controlled release mechanisms, providing sustained pain management without the need for repeated invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an implantable device as an intermediary that bridges the gap between conservative injections and major surgery. This device provides direct disc targeting with minimal invasiveness compared to surgical intervention, while maintaining effective pain management through controlled medication delivery directly to the disc tissue.
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 biomaterial compositions offer controlled drug release, reducing pain at the disc site with minimal invasiveness, minimizing risks, and maintaining therapeutic doses for extended periods, thereby alleviating disc pain effectively.
Implementation Method 1
biodegradable microparticles loaded with active pharmaceutical agents... configured for controlled release over time
Implementation Method 2
The hydrogel may be a temperature sensitive hydrogel that undergoes a sol-gel transition at physiological temperatures and conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Biomaterials, implants, methods of making the biomaterial and implants, methods of providing pain relief by administering the biomaterial or implant to a patient, and kits that include such biomaterials, implants, or components thereof. The biomaterials may include microparticles including one or more active pharmaceutical agents, such as anesthetics, antibiotics, and corticosteroids, which help to provide pain relief over an extended period of time. The biomaterials may be applied directly to the intervertebral disc or in the disc space to provide direct therapy for the management of disc pain.