Dissoluble Microneedle System for Transdermal Vaccination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transdermal vaccination methods face challenges with age-related skin changes, dehydration, and decreased Langerhans cells, leading to increased mechanical resistance and inefficiency, particularly in emergency situations where trained personnel may not be available.
Innovation Solution
A two-step dissoluble microneedle drug delivery system with an outer fixation matrix and inner skin preparation and vaccination matrices, featuring microneedles of varying lengths and adjuvant components to enhance skin hydration and immune cell attraction, and vaccination components for efficient antigen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional intramuscular or subcutaneous injection methods are used for vaccination, then reliable immune response can be achieved, but the method causes pain, needle stick injuries, needle-phobia, and requires trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle injection system with a dissolvable microneedle matrix system. The microneedles are made of water-soluble polymers that dissolve upon contact with skin moisture, eliminating the need for sharp metal needles while maintaining effective antigen delivery to the skin's immune cells
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition of the needle from solid metal to water-soluble polymer material. This parameter change allows the needle to dissolve after insertion, eliminating pain and injury associated with traditional needles while maintaining the ability to deliver antigens effectively
2Ease of operation
If microneedles are used for transdermal vaccination, then painless and non-traumatic administration is achieved, but age-related skin changes, dehydration, and decreased Langerhans cells increase mechanical resistance and reduce effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a skin preparation composition before microneedle insertion that contains hydrating agents and Langerhans cell attractants. This preliminary action softens the stratum corneum, increases skin hydration, and attracts more Langerhans cells to the vaccination site, thereby reducing mechanical resistance and improving microneedle penetration and antigen uptake in aged skin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulations that combine water-soluble polymers for microneedle structure with embedded adjuvants and antigen delivery systems. These composite materials are designed to work synergistically with the skin preparation composition to overcome age-related barriers and enhance vaccination efficiency
3Loss of time
If fast-dissolving microneedles are used to reduce application time, then dissolution speed increases, but epidermal dehydration slows down the dissolution process
Solution Approach 1:
The skin preparation composition is applied before microneedle insertion to pre-hydrate the epidermis. This preliminary hydration creates favorable conditions for rapid microneedle dissolution, counteracting the dehydrating effects of aged skin and ensuring fast dissolution despite epidermal dehydration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selects water-soluble polymer materials with specific dissolution rates that are optimized to dissolve rapidly once hydrated. The composition and molecular weight of these polymers are chosen to ensure fast dissolution in the hydrated environment created by the skin preparation, thereby reducing application time even in dehydrated skin
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
This system reduces mechanical resistance, shortens application time, and increases the concentration of target cells for enhanced immune response, improving the efficiency and accuracy of transdermal vaccination, especially in aged skin and emergency settings.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving microneedle matrices... dissolving in the epidermis and dermis, releasing antigens
Implementation Method 2
adjuvant components to enhance skin hydration
Implementation Method 3
releasing antigens of various structures and molecular weights
Implementation Method 4
releasing antigens... into the epidermis and dermis
Data Source
AI summary
A dissoluble microneedle drug delivery system includes a fixation component having an opening window area, and at least two replaceable and/or dissoluble inner matrices fitting into the window area one after another. The fixation component comprises an array of microneedles attached on its base, at least part of the microneedles being configured to fix the delivery system onto skin. The first inner matrix comprises a multitude of microneedles attached on its base, at least part of the microneedles configured to prepare the skin to vaccination by the subsequent second inner matrix. The second inner matrix is a vaccine/immunization matrix configured to replace the first inner matrix and comprising an array of microneedles attached on its base, at least part of the microneedles configured to deliver a vaccination. The system may include a microchannel network within at least one inner matrices for delivery of components regulating dissolution of the microneedles.