Implantable Analgesic Composition for Sustained Post-Operative Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for postoperative pain management using systemic drugs and external infusion systems are ineffective due to short duration of action and inability to maintain analgesic presence at the operative site, leading to inadequate pain relief after surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Development of an implantable, slowly absorbable composition combining a finely powdered biocompatible solid material with an organic liquid and an anesthetic agent, allowing for extended release of analgesics at the surgical site through a non-aqueous, anhydrous or essentially anhydrous formulation, which includes both water-soluble and water-insoluble forms of anesthetics for sustained pain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If aqueous solutions of local anesthetics are infused into the operative site, then pain relief is achieved during surgery, but the duration of action is short and pain relief is not maintained post-operatively
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is placed at the operative site during surgery to preemptively provide pain relief before the patient experiences post-operative pain. The implant begins releasing anesthetic immediately upon placement, ensuring continuous pain management transitions from intraoperative to postoperative periods without interruption or additional interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The biocompatible polymer implant serves as an intermediary carrier that holds and gradually releases anesthetic agents. This mediator system replaces direct infusion methods, providing controlled delivery of the anesthetic from the implant matrix to the surrounding tissue over an extended period, thereby prolonging pain relief duration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If external pumps are used to infuse aqueous solutions of local anesthetics, then pain relief is provided, but the system is complex and not totally acceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the anesthetic delivery function from complex external infusion systems and integrates it into a simple implantable device. The implant contains the anesthetic and delivery mechanism within a single biocompatible polymer matrix, eliminating the need for external pumps, reservoirs, and control systems while maintaining prolonged pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is self-contained and autonomously delivers anesthetic without requiring external power sources, control systems, or manual intervention. The biocompatible polymer matrix automatically releases the anesthetic through diffusion and erosion mechanisms, making the system self-service and eliminating the complexity of external infusion equipment.
3Ease of operation
If soluble local anesthetics are used for infiltration anesthesia, then pain relief is achieved, but the anesthetics are short-lived and require repeated administration
Solution Approach 1:
The implant provides continuous anesthetic release over an extended period through controlled diffusion and gradual erosion of the biocompatible polymer matrix. This continuous delivery mechanism eliminates the need for repeated administrations required by short-lived soluble anesthetics, maintaining effective pain relief throughout the postoperative period.
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 composition provides prolonged pain relief for up to 8 days post-surgery by gradually releasing analgesics, offering a more effective and sustained pain management solution compared to conventional methods, while being biocompatible and absorbable, minimizing tissue reaction and promoting bone healing.
Implementation Method 1
an organic liquid Component 2 capable of dispersing or suspending Component A
Implementation Method 2
The composition is surgically implanted for pain relief wherein the active analgesic is released therefrom over a period of from about 0 to 8 days post-surgery
Data Source
AI summary
At least three component, body-implantable, absorbable, biocompatible, putty, and non-putty pain-relieving compositions for use in surgery comprising in intimate admixture: an analgesic having local pain-relieving activity for internal relief of pain, a finely powdered bulking material, preferably less than 50 microns, e.g. the metal salts of fatty acid, hydroxyapatite, DBM, polyglycolide, polylactide, polycaprolactones, absorbable glasses, gelatin, collagens, mono, and polysaccharides starches.An organic liquid capable of solubilizing, dispensing or suspending the analgesic, such as esters of monohydric alcohols with aliphatic monocarboxylic acids; C2-C18 monohydric alcohols with polycarboxylic acids; C8-C30 monohydric alcohols; tocopherol and esters thereof with mono or polycarboxylic acids; free carboxylic acids such as oleic, capric, and lauric; dialkyl ethers and ketones; polyhydroxy compounds and esters and ethers thereof; random or block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.