Dry to Wet Injector Microcapsule Solvent Mixing
Solution Overview
Problem
Pharmaceuticals that are insoluble in aqueous solutions or degrade upon exposure to water pose challenges for storage and administration, as harsh solvents like DMSO or extreme pH solutions are needed for injection, leading to undesirable side effects.
Innovation Solution
A dry-to-wet injector system that uses microcapsules containing a solvent, which burst upon application of pressure to mix with a solid pharmaceutical, allowing for rapid dissolution within seconds, thereby minimizing degradation and side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pre-loaded syringes with harsh solvents (DMSO) or extreme pH solutions are used to facilitate injection of insoluble pharmaceuticals, then the pharmaceutical can be injected, but undesirable or painful side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the pharmaceutical and solvent into distinct compartments (solid particulate in one compartment, solvent in microcapsules in another), allowing them to remain separate during storage and then mix immediately before injection. This segmentation eliminates the need for pre-mixed harsh solvents in the syringe while enabling injection feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent is pre-loaded into microcapsules before injection, and the microcapsules are designed to rupture automatically upon application of injection pressure. This preliminary preparation allows the solvent to be ready for immediate mixing with the pharmaceutical at the moment of injection, avoiding the need for harsh pre-mixed solutions.
2Ease of operation
If aqueous solutions are used for injection, then the pharmaceutical can be administered, but the pharmaceutical degrades upon exposure to aqueous solutions over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pharmaceutical and aqueous solvent into separate compartments, allowing the pharmaceutical to remain stable in its dry or alternative form during storage and transport. The aqueous solvent is sealed in microcapsules and only mixes with the pharmaceutical at the moment of injection, minimizing exposure time and preserving stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system minimizes the time the pharmaceutical is exposed to the aqueous solvent by using rapid mixing upon microcapsule rupture. The solvent is released and mixes with the pharmaceutical instantly upon injection pressure application, rushing through the mixing process before the pharmaceutical can degrade, then the mixture is administered quickly.
3Productivity
If microcapsules are made to rupture at high pressure (10 psi to 5000 psi), then the solvent can be released for mixing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcapsules are designed with inherent pressure-responsive properties that allow them to rupture automatically when injection pressure is applied, without requiring external control mechanisms. The microcapsule structure itself serves the function of pressure sensing and rupture, eliminating the need for complex external pressure control systems or additional actuation mechanisms.
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
Enables the efficient and safe administration of water-insoluble pharmaceuticals by mixing them with a solvent immediately before injection, reducing storage-related degradation and minimizing painful side effects associated with harsh solvents.
Implementation Method 1
The microcapsules have an average mean particle size of 100 nm to 10,000 microns and are configured to open upon application of pressure... applying pressure to the microcapsules thereby causing the microcapsules to open and release the solvent
Implementation Method 2
the solid particulate is capable of dissolving in the solvent within the time period of less than or equal to 10 seconds... the pharmaceutical particulate is dispersed and/or partially dissolves in the solvent
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for combining a solid particulate with a solvent prior to an injection protocol within an injector device. The solid particulate may be a pharmaceutical compound and the microcapsules contain a solvent for such particulate. Upon application of pressure, the microcapsules may be configured to burst and release the solvent, thereby dispersing and/or partially dissolving the particulate. The injector therefore allows for the use of relatively unstable pharmaceutically active compounds in a device that requires relatively long storage times and the use of pharmaceutical compounds that are relatively stable in the dry state.