Hook and Loop Retaining Element for Transdermal Carrier Attachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transdermal delivery systems face challenges in reliably transferring a liquid-containing pharmaceutical active to the skin without manual handling or additional aids, particularly for iontophoresis, where cationic actives may not passively penetrate effectively, and the risk of skin irritation or side effects increases with higher current strengths.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elongately shaped hook and loop tape as a retaining element between the active-containing carrier material and the backing layer of the transdermal therapeutic system (TTS), allowing for secure attachment without manual handling, even in moist conditions, by increasing the adhering forces to the TTS while maintaining the system's occlusive properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the active-containing carrier material is transferred manually from its package to the TTS backing layer, then the transfer can be performed, but the risk of germ transfer increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retaining element as an intermediary component that remains on the TTS backing layer to mediate the attachment of the carrier material. This eliminates the need for manual handling during transfer, as the retaining element automatically secures the carrier material when the closure film is removed, thus preventing germ transfer while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element enables the TTS to self-secure the carrier material without external manual intervention. When the closure film is removed, the retaining element automatically engages with the carrier material, allowing the system to service itself and eliminate the need for finger contact during the transfer process.
2Reliability
If the carrier material is pressed against the TTS backing layer to ensure adhesion, then the transfer reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element serves as a mediating component between the TTS backing layer and the carrier material. It provides a dedicated attachment mechanism that simplifies the overall system structure while ensuring reliable adhesion, avoiding the need for complex pressing mechanisms or additional adhesive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is implemented as a segmented or distributed feature across the TTS backing layer, allowing simple modular attachment points that ensure reliable carrier material adhesion without requiring complex integrated systems. This segmentation approach maintains simplicity while achieving dependable transfer.
3Productivity
If higher current strengths are applied in iontophoresis to improve drug delivery effectiveness, then the transdermal delivery efficiency improves, but the skin irritation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element acts as an intermediary that ensures proper positioning and secure attachment of the carrier material containing the cationic active. This secure attachment enables effective iontophoretic delivery at optimized current strengths without slippage or poor contact, thereby achieving high drug delivery efficiency while minimizing the need for excessively high currents that would cause skin irritation.
4Ease of operation
If the closure film is removed to access the carrier material, then the transfer process can begin, but the risk of germ transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element serves as a protective intermediary that remains attached to the TTS backing layer throughout the process. When the closure film is removed, the carrier material is already pre-positioned or easily accessible without requiring fingers to touch it, as the retaining element maintains its secure attachment. This eliminates the need for manual handling and prevents germ transfer while preserving easy access.
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
Ensures reliable transfer and adherence of the active-containing carrier material to the TTS, enhancing the transdermal delivery of cationic actives, including analgesics and central nervous system drugs, while minimizing skin irritation risks by maintaining effective current levels.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elongately shaped hook and loop tape 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d as a retaining element between the active-containing carrier material 11 and the backing layer 7
Implementation Method 2
Iontophoresis is a delivery method based on the fundamental principle that the application of electrical current makes available external energy to increase the ability of a drug to permeate through the membranes of the skin
Implementation Method 3
the application of a current will cause an impulse to be exerted on these ions which moves them away from the anode in the direction of the electrical field toward the cathode
Implementation Method 4
The backing layer 7 is an occlusive backing layer
Implementation Method 5
which are suitable for passive diffusion or suitable for iontophoretic permeation of the skin
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) for delivering pharmaceutical active ingredients. The TTS includes a cover layer and at least one active-ingredient-containing carrier material. At least one retaining element is located between the active-ingredient-containing carrier material and the cover layer, with the retaining element fixing the active-ingredient-containing carrier material onto the cover layer. The invention further relates to a method for fastening an active-ingredient-containing carrier material to a cover layer of a TTS in the presence of hook-and-loop strip segments and the use of a hook-and-loop strip in transdermal or iontophoretic administration of pharmaceutical or therapeutic active ingredients to patients.