Biodegradable Micro-needle Dermal Patch for Ghrelin Blocker Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ghrelin blockers, such as immunization methods, have shown limited effectiveness in modulating appetite and weight management in humans, with no significant weight loss achieved in clinical trials.
Innovation Solution
A dermal patch with biodegradable micro-needles encapsulating ghrelin blockers, such as anti-ghrelin antibodies, that penetrate the skin and release the blockers into the circulatory system, allowing controlled modulation of ghrelin activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If vaccination is used to modulate ghrelin level, then ghrelin autoantibodies are produced, but no significant weight loss is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the delivery method from systemic vaccination to localized transdermal delivery via micro-needles, altering the administration parameters to achieve better therapeutic outcomes. The micro-needle patch delivers ghrelin blockers directly through the skin, bypassing the limitations of systemic vaccination that failed to produce significant weight loss despite high antibody production.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ghrelin blocker methods are used, then ghrelin pathway is targeted, but limited effectiveness is observed in appetite modulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a micro-needle patch as an intermediary delivery system that directly transports ghrelin blockers through the skin into the circulatory system. This intermediary mechanism overcomes the limitations of conventional administration methods, providing more reliable appetite modulation by ensuring direct and controlled delivery of the blockers to the bloodstream.
3Duration of action of moving object
If micro-needles are made larger, then dissolution time increases and release profile is modified, but insertion depth and skin penetration may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of micro-needle dimensions to optimize both penetration and dissolution characteristics. By varying the size and composition of micro-needles, the system achieves controlled dissolution rates that match the desired drug release profile while maintaining adequate penetration depth. The adhesive mechanism dynamically separates micro-needles from shafts at the appropriate time, coordinating insertion, dissolution, and release phases.
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 dermal patch effectively delivers ghrelin blockers into the circulatory system, inhibiting ghrelin's orexigenic effect, potentially providing a more effective means of appetite modulation and weight management compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the micro-needles, which are formed of a biodegradable polymeric material, will degrade and release the ghrelin blocker encapsulated therein
Implementation Method 2
The micro-needles are attached to the shafts via an adhesive that is configured to be dissolved within the skin after the patch is applied to the skin for a predetermined time, thus resulting in separation of the micro-needles from the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the innovation relate to a dermal patch, comprising a substrate; a set of projections coupled to the substrate and configured to be at least partially insertable into skin, at least a portion of each projection of the set of projections comprising a biodegradable material; and a ghrelin blocker material encapsulated in the plurality of projections. The set of projections are coupled to the substrate via an adhesive that is configured to be dissolved within the skin after the patch is applied to the skin for a predetermined time, thus resulting in separation of the set of projections from the substrate. Once embedded in the skin, the protrusions can degrade and release the anti-ghrelin antibody encapsulated therein. The released anti-ghrelin antibody can find its way into the subject's circulatory system.