Dual-Chamber Electromotive Delivery Device for Macromolecules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering macromolecules, such as oligonucleotides, into tissues like the cornea face challenges in efficacy due to the need for high doses of electricity, which can cause tissue damage, and lack understanding in ensuring effective delivery without damage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a dual-chamber design and electrodes that create a controlled electric field contour for delivering macromolecules into tissues, using a buffering agent to minimize tissue damage and optimize delivery, allowing for targeted and efficient delivery of molecules like siRNA and oligonucleotides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high doses of electricity are used to deliver macromolecules into tissue, then delivery effectiveness is improved, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber containing the macromolecule delivery medium and a second chamber containing a receivable medium (buffering agent). This segmentation allows the electricity to be applied through the buffering agent in the second chamber, which protects the tissue from direct contact with high-dose electricity while still enabling effective macromolecule delivery through controlled iontophoresis in the first chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering agent in the second chamber serves as an intermediary between the electricity source and the tissue. It receives the electrical current and mediates its interaction with the tissue, reducing harmful effects while maintaining the ability to drive macromolecules into the tissue through the delivery medium in the first chamber.
2Productivity
If conventional iontophoresis is used to deliver macromolecules, then delivery is achieved, but significant tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the delivery function (first chamber with macromolecule medium) from the electrical interface function (second chamber with buffering agent). This allows conventional iontophoresis to be performed in the first chamber while the second chamber absorbs and mitigates the tissue-damaging effects of high-dose electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering agent acts as an intermediary that receives the full electrical dose in the second chamber and protects the tissue in the first chamber from direct exposure to harmful electrical effects, while still allowing macromolecule delivery to proceed.
3Device complexity
If a single chamber design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but controlled electric field delivery is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into two chambers with distinct functions: the first chamber for macromolecule delivery and the second chamber for electrical buffering. This segmentation enables precise control of the electric field contour, ensuring it originates at the first electrode, passes through the delivery medium, enters the tissue, exits at a laterally offset position, and returns through the receivable medium to the second electrode.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-chamber design adds a spatial dimension to the delivery system, creating a more complex but controllable electric field path that travels through both chambers and the tissue, enabling precise field control that cannot be achieved with a single chamber design.
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 efficient and controlled delivery of macromolecules into tissues with reduced tissue damage, improving the effectiveness of therapeutic applications by ensuring the molecules reach their target without causing harm.
Implementation Method 1
A method of delivery using electromotive force to drive the highly charged oligonucleotides from an external delivery solution into the cornea is referred to as iontophoresis.
Implementation Method 2
applying power to a first electrode disposed in the first chamber of the delivery device and a second electrode disposed in the second chamber to create an electric field having a contour along a path from the first electrode through the macromolecule delivery medium to the patient into the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Electromotive delivery of macromolecules can be provided using a delivery device including a first chamber for contacting a macromolecule delivery medium to a surface of a tissue or other anatomy of a patient; and a second chamber for contacting a receiving medium to the patient. A first electrode can be disposed in the first chamber so as to not directly contact the macromolecule delivery medium. A second medium having a buffering agent can be used to keep the first electrode from coming into direct contact with the macromolecule delivery medium. A second electrode can be disposed within the receiving medium in the second chamber such that the second electrode does not directly contact the patient. An electric field can be generated using the first and second electrodes in order to cause the macromolecule delivery medium to move into the tissue of interest from the first chamber of the delivery device.