Epicutaneous Allergen Patch for Eczema Immunotherapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for atopic eczema are not curative and often involve avoiding allergens, using topical corticosteroids, or UV therapy, which can have side effects and risks, necessitating a safer and more efficient immunotherapy method.

Innovation Solution

Epicutaneous immunotherapy using a skin patch device with allergens, such as milk, peanut, or dust mite proteins, applied to non-eczematous skin areas to decrease skin reactivity through the epicutaneous route, avoiding adjuvants and chemical interactions, and utilizing electrostatic or Van der Waals forces to maintain allergens on the patch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If topical corticosteroids or UV therapy are used to treat eczema, then skin inflammation is reduced, but side effects and risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin inflammationVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an occlusive patch as an intermediary delivery system that applies allergens directly to intact skin. This mediator enables controlled immunotherapy delivery without the harmful side effects of corticosteroids or UV radiation, achieving anti-inflammatory effects through immune tolerance induction rather than suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful allergic reaction (eczema) into a beneficial therapeutic mechanism by applying controlled amounts of allergens through the patch. This deliberate exposure induces immune tolerance and reduces skin reactivity, transforming the pathological immune response into a protective mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If allergens are applied through traditional immunotherapy methods, then skin reactivity decreases, but adjuvants and chemical interactions are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin reactivityVSAvoidadjuvants and chemical interactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for adjuvants and complex chemical formulations from traditional immunotherapy. By using the occlusive patch to deliver pure allergens through intact skin, the invention removes harmful chemical components while maintaining therapeutic efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the delivery parameters of allergen administration by using trans epidermal delivery through an occlusive patch. This physical delivery method replaces chemical adjuvant-based approaches, altering how allergens are presented to the immune system without requiring additional chemical substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If eczema is treated by avoiding allergens, then symptoms are reduced, but curative effect is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeczema symptomsVSAvoidcurative effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional avoidance strategy by deliberately exposing patients to allergens through the occlusive patch. Instead of avoiding allergens to reduce symptoms, the treatment uses controlled allergen exposure to induce long-term immune tolerance, achieving both symptom reduction and curative effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If epicutaneous immunotherapy is applied to non-eczematous skin, then skin reactivity decreases globally, but local application is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin reactivityVSAvoidapplication area

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies allergens locally to specific non-eczematous areas of intact skin using the occlusive patch. This localized application creates a focused immune response at the application site that subsequently reduces systemic skin reactivity, combining local delivery with global therapeutic effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 method significantly decreases skin reactivity, reducing eczema symptoms and inflammation, even outside the application area, with a progressive reduction in skin lesions and inflammatory responses, as demonstrated in animal models and human trials.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing electrostatic or Van der Waals forces to maintain allergens on the patch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic forces: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

utilizing electrostatic or Van der Waals forces to maintain allergens on the patch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVan der Waals forces: Van der Waals Force

Implementation Method 3

a substance that causes a cutaneous inflammatory reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCutaneous inflammatory reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP2405904B1Method of treating eczema

Publication Date: 2018.12.05 DBV TECH INC

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AI summary

The present invention relates to the treatment of eczema. More specifically, the invention relates to a new method of treating eczema through the epicutaneous route. In particular, the method of the invention comprises applying to a non eczematous area of the skin of the subject a skin patch device, comprising a composition, under conditions allowing a contact between said composition and the skin. The present invention also relates to the skin patch device.