Epicutaneous Vaccination Patch With Skin Micro-Perforation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vaccination methods, particularly for Bordetella pertussis, face challenges such as pain, needle phobia, and adverse effects due to injection-based administration, leading to vaccine refusal and insufficient immune response enhancement.

Innovation Solution

Epicutaneous administration of antigens using a skin patch combined with skin micro-perforation, specifically targeting the epidermis layers without penetrating the dermis, to enhance immune response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional injection-based vaccination is used, then immune response can be induced, but pain and adverse effects occur due to needle injection and adjuvant coadministration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune response inductionVSAvoidpain and adverse effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful adjuvant component from the vaccination system by using epicutaneous administration of antigen alone through skin micro-perforation, achieving effective immune response without adjuvant-related adverse effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical injection system (needles and syringes) with a non-invasive epicutaneous delivery system using skin micro-perforation and patch technology, eliminating needle-related pain and fear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If injection-based vaccination with adjuvant is used, then immune response is enhanced, but vaccine refusal increases due to pain and anxiety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune response enhancementVSAvoidvaccine acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the normally harmful stratum corneum barrier into a beneficial delivery mechanism by using micro-perforation technology to create controlled access pathways, enabling effective antigen delivery without the need for painful injections or adjuvants

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and delivery parameters of the antigen by using micro-perforation to create pores of specific dimensions (1-100 μm) and controlling antigen concentration (1-100 μg/cm²), achieving effective immune response without adjuvants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If epicutaneous administration without micro-perforation is used, then pain is avoided, but immune response is insufficient due to skin barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain avoidanceVSAvoidimmune response strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a temporary porous structure in the skin stratum corneum through micro-perforation, enabling enhanced antigen penetration and immune cell access while maintaining skin integrity and avoiding pain associated with deeper needle penetration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary skin micro-perforation before antigen application to pre-establish delivery pathways through the skin barrier, ensuring subsequent antigen penetration without requiring painful injection procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 combination of skin micro-perforation with epicutaneous delivery significantly enhances antibody responses, achieving immunogenicity comparable to commercial vaccines and reducing antigen dose requirements, while being well-tolerated.

Implementation Method 1

skin micro-perforation (also called herein skin microporation) at the site of application of said skin patch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicro-perforation:

Data Source

PatentUS20260108593A1Optimized epicutaneous vaccination

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 DBV TECH INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to improved epicutaneous administration methods for vaccination of a subject. In particular, the present invention discloses the use of an antigen for epicutaneous immunization, wherein the antigen is administered by epicutaneous application with a skin patch device in combination with an epidermal skin treatment.