Elastically Deformable Drug Delivery Device for Renal Pelvis Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drug delivery devices for the upper urinary tract are invasive and require external catheters, limiting their use for extended, ambulatory drug delivery to the renal pelvis.

Innovation Solution

Development of elastically deformable drug delivery devices with a guidewire lumen and a drug reservoir lumen, configured to deploy through the ureter and retain in the renal pelvis, allowing for sustained drug release without external supplies or catheters, using materials like dual-layer polyurethane for controlled drug release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If current drug delivery devices are used for the upper urinary tract, then drug delivery to the renal pelvis is achieved, but the devices require external catheters and are invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoiddevice retention without external catheter

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drug delivery function from the external catheter system and integrates it into a self-contained implantable device. The drug reservoir and delivery mechanism are incorporated within the device body, eliminating the need for external catheter connections while maintaining the ability to deliver drug directly to the renal pelvis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The implantable device is designed to be self-retaining through elastic deformation between compressed delivery shape and expanded retained shape. The device autonomously maintains its position in the renal pelvis using its elastic memory properties without requiring external catheters or additional retention mechanisms, making the system self-sufficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If external catheters are used for drug delivery, then continuous drug supply is possible, but the procedure requires arterial puncture and surgical intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical invasivenessVSAvoidextended period drug delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for arterial puncture and surgical catheter insertion by designing a device that can be delivered through natural lumens. The drug delivery function is extracted from the surgical catheter system and embodied in an implantable device accessible via the urethra and bladder

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the natural urinary tract lumens (urethra, bladder, ureter) as intermediary pathways to deliver the device to the renal pelvis. This intermediary route avoids direct surgical access to the kidney while still enabling reliable extended-term drug delivery through the implantable device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If the device is made elastically deformable for deployment, then the device can pass through the ureter, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice flexibility for ureter passageVSAvoidelastic body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic elasticity to enable the device to transition between a compressed delivery shape for passing through the ureter and an expanded retained shape for drug delivery. The elastic body dynamically adapts its configuration based on the mechanical environment, allowing navigation through narrow passages while maintaining functional form at the destination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes an elastic body with flexible walls that can deform during delivery and then return to a stable retained shape. The flexible shell structure allows the device to compress for passage through the ureter while maintaining structural integrity and drug reservoir function in the expanded state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 continuous, extended drug delivery directly to the renal pelvis, reducing invasiveness and maintaining the device within the body for several days or weeks, ensuring therapeutic drug levels without external support.

Implementation Method 1

the drug delivery device is elastically deformable between (a) a deployment shape configured to pass the drug delivery device through a ureter and into the renal pelvis of the patient, and (b) a retention shape configured to mitigate migration of the device from the renal pelvis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20210386978A1Drug Delivery Devices and Systems for Local Drug Delivery to the Upper Urinary Tract

Publication Date: 2021.12.16 JANSSEN BIOTECH INC

AI summary

Drug delivery devices and systems, are provided for delivery of a drug into the upper urinary tract of patients in need thereof. The drug delivery devices (100) may be deployed directly into the renal pelvis via a patient's ureter, bladder, and urethra, and the drug delivery devices can be wholly retained therein for local continuous, controlled release of a drug over an extended period.