Nonsurgical Implant Tissue Modifier Delivery System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implant technologies, such as sensors, face challenges in long-term functionality due to inflammatory and immune responses, leading to protein fouling and the formation of avascular capsules that reduce sensor sensitivity and require frequent recalibration or replacement.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a nonsurgical delivery system that positions a tissue response modifier outside the body to direct a localized biological response, using agents like collagen inhibitors and anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize tissue response and prolong implant lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is implanted into the body to provide continuous monitoring, then continuous measurement of biochemical analytes is achieved, but inflammatory and immune responses are initiated leading to protein fouling and capsule formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidinflammatory and immune responses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A tissue response modifier is introduced as an intermediary substance between the implant and the body's immune system. This modifier acts as a mediator that modifies the biological response, preventing direct harmful interactions while allowing the implant to function. The modifier is delivered via a delivery system positioned adjacent to the implant, releasing the tissue response modifier to control the local biological environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue response modifier is delivered to the implant site before the harmful inflammatory response can fully develop. By positioning the delivery system adjacent to the implant and releasing the modifier proactively, the system prevents protein fouling and capsule formation before they can occur, rather than reacting after damage has occurred.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If therapeutic agents are implanted with the sensor to control foreign body response, then the foreign body response is reduced, but the device cannot remain fully functional for long-term use due to limited drug delivery capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign body responseVSAvoidlong-term functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the implant from the drug delivery function by positioning the delivery system externally adjacent to the implant. This segmentation allows the implant to remain purely functional while the delivery system handles the therapeutic agent supply. The delivery system can be replaced or replenished independently, extending the overall functional duration beyond the limitations of implanting large drug quantities directly with the sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery system acts as an intermediary that provides continuous or extended-term therapeutic agent delivery without requiring the implant itself to contain the drugs. This intermediary approach allows for long-term functionality by decoupling the implant's sensing function from the drug delivery function, enabling the therapeutic agents to be supplied through the external delivery system for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If sensors are placed intravascularly to avoid capsule formation, then continuous contact with blood is achieved, but the recipient is at risk for thrombophlebosis, thromboembolism, and thrombophlebitis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous contact with analyteVSAvoidthrombophlebosis, thromboembolism, and thrombophlebitis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system positioned adjacent to the implant serves as an intermediary that provides the necessary therapeutic intervention without requiring direct intravascular placement of the sensor. By delivering tissue response modifiers through this external intermediary system, the patent achieves continuous analyte contact while avoiding the thrombotic risks associated with direct vascular insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2437846B1Method and system for directing a localized biological response to an implant
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 PROFUSA INC
  • EP2437846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2437846B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2437846B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention provides methods for directing a localized biological response of a mammalian body to an implant disposed within the body. In one embodiment, a delivery system is positioned outside the body and adjacent to the implant within the body. The delivery system comprises a first tissue response modifier effective for directing a localized biological response of the body to the implant. The tissue response modifier is nonsurgically delivered from the delivery system into the body in a quantity effective to direct the localized biological response of the body to the implant. The invention also provides an implant system for long-term use comprising an implant and nonsurgical means for delivering a tissue response modifier through the epidermis of the body, the tissue response modifier effective for directing a localized biological response of the body to the implant.