Embedded Microchannels for Uniform Drug Release in Ophthalmic Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ophthalmic devices for ocular drug delivery suffer from heavily localized drug release, which can lead to uneven treatment distribution, and lack active control over drug release patterns, particularly in passive drug eluting devices.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of microchannels in drug dispensing ophthalmic devices to facilitate uniform and location-patterned drug release through capillary forces and diffusion coefficients, allowing drugs to spread laterally before axial diffusion to the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drugs are released from a single reservoir in traditional ophthalmic devices, then the device structure is simple, but the drug release is heavily localized and non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the drug delivery system into multiple functional components: a reservoir for drug storage, microchannels for drug distribution, and an electrode for activation. The microchannels segment the drug release pathway, allowing the drug to be distributed to multiple locations on the eye surface rather than from a single point, thereby achieving uniform release while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The microchannel acts as an intermediary component between the drug reservoir and the eye surface. It receives the drug from the reservoir, distributes it laterally through capillary forces, and enables release from multiple locations. This intermediary structure transforms the single-point release into a distributed release pattern without requiring multiple reservoirs
2Manufacturing precision
If passive drug eluting devices are used to provide more lateral drug sources, then the drug distribution is more uniform, but active control over drug release is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic control capability to the drug release system through an electrode that can be activated on demand. The electrode applies electrical energy to the hydrogel layer, dynamically controlling the release rate and timing of the drug. This transforms the static, passive release mechanism into a dynamic, controllable system that maintains uniform distribution while enabling active regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and release parameters of the drug delivery system by incorporating a controllable hydrogel layer. The hydrogel's swelling, shrinking, and drug release properties can be modified through electrical stimulation, allowing active control of release rate, timing, and duration while maintaining the uniform distribution provided by the microchannel network
3Device complexity
If drugs diffuse axially toward the eye from the reservoir, then the release mechanism is simple, but the treatment is heavily localized and not uniform across the eye surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a lateral dimension to the drug release pattern through the microchannel structure. Instead of purely axial diffusion from a single reservoir, the microchannels create lateral pathways that distribute the drug across multiple locations on the eye surface. This dimensional expansion transforms the localized release into a uniform distributed release while maintaining a relatively simple release mechanism
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 active control of drug release from multiple locations, ensuring uniform and patterned distribution across the eye surface, improving treatment efficacy for conditions like glaucoma and dry eye.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least one reservoir can be covered by an electrode configured to electrodissolve, wherein the amount of the drug is released from the at least one reservoir when the electrode electrodissolves.
Implementation Method 2
The amount of the drug spreads through an entirety of the length of the microchannel due to a capillary force inside the microchannel
Implementation Method 3
The amount of the drug diffuses from a plurality of locations along the entirety of the length of the microchannel
Data Source
AI summary
Uniform and location patterned drug release can be achieved via microchannel(s) embedded in a drug dispensing ophthalmic device. At least one reservoir can be encapsulated within the ophthalmic device at a discrete location to hold an amount of a drug. Each reservoir can be covered by an electrode that electrodissolves to release the drug. At least one microchannel having a length and holding at least water is encapsulated in the ophthalmic device between the reservoir and the side of the ophthalmic device facing the eye. After release from the reservoir, the drug spreads through an entirety of the length of the microchannel due to a capillary force inside the microchannel and a diffusion coefficient of the drug in the water. The amount of the drug diffuses from a plurality of locations along the entirety of the length of the microchannel.