Transdermal Patch Foam Island Oil Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transdermal drug-in-adhesive patches face limitations such as thickness/dose constraints, thermal degradation of drugs, and adhesion issues due to solvent use, while drug-in-reservoir, adhesive-separated patches are complex and costly to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A simplified transdermal patch design featuring a foam island for oil delivery, with a polyurethane foam island for absorbing and retaining oils, a flexible polyethylene or polyurethane outer ring for adhesion, and a medical-grade adhesive, allowing for post-assembly loading and avoiding heat processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If drug-in-adhesive patches use solvents and drying processes, then the patch can be manufactured, but the thickness and drug dose are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug doseVSAvoidpatch thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a porous foam matrix material that can absorb and hold large quantities of drug reservoir material. The porous structure provides high surface area and volume for drug loading without requiring thick non-porous layers, enabling increased drug dose while maintaining reasonable patch thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining a foam matrix with adhesive layers and reservoir material. This composite approach allows the foam to provide drug loading capacity while the adhesive provides bonding, separating the functions that were previously competing for the same space in drug-in-adhesive patches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If heating is used to remove solvent or achieve proper viscosity in drug-in-adhesive patches, then the patch can be manufactured, but thermal degradation of drugs occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoiddrug thermal degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heating step from the manufacturing process by using a foam matrix that can be loaded with drug reservoir material at room temperature or low temperature. The solvent removal and viscosity adjustment steps are eliminated, preventing thermal degradation while maintaining manufacturability through a simpler cold-loading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If liquid drug components are used in drug-in-adhesive patches, then the patch can be formulated, but adhesive properties are lost over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug formulation flexibilityVSAvoidadhesive performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the patch into distinct functional layers: a foam matrix for drug loading, an adhesive layer for skin bonding, and a reservoir material layer. This segmentation isolates the liquid drug components from the adhesive, preventing the liquid from degrading the adhesive properties over time while maintaining both drug formulation flexibility and adhesive reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foam matrix acts as an intermediary between the liquid drug reservoir and the adhesive layer. It absorbs and holds the liquid drug material, preventing direct contact with the adhesive and thus preventing adhesive degradation while still enabling drug delivery through the patch structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If drug-in-reservoir adhesive-separated patches are manufactured, then adhesion and drug loading are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadhesionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reservoir material and foam matrix into a single integrated component where the foam serves both as the structural support and the drug-loading reservoir. This eliminates the need for separate reservoir chambers and complex sealing mechanisms, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the adhesion benefits of adhesive-separated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 patch provides flexible, long-term, and discrete topical delivery of oils without thermal degradation, maintaining adhesion and reducing manufacturing complexity, while being water-resistant and breathable.

Implementation Method 1

a polyurethane foam island for absorbing and retaining oils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The thicker center foam 'island' is then compressed against the user's skin to facilitate disbursement of oil into said user's skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS10864172B2Transdermal patch for oil delivery

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 CHEMSULTANTS INT

AI summary

A transdermal patch is provided for use during oil delivery to a user's skin. The patch has a first foam member and a second foam member positioned adjacent the first foam member. An adhesive member is attached to the second foam member for securing the patch to a user's skin. A release liner covers and extends across the adhesive member. A gap can be formed between the first foam member and the second foam member and surrounds the first foam member. The first foam member has a thickness which is greater than a thickness of the second foam member.