Implantable GnRH Polymer Matrix for Sustained Therapeutic Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments with GnRH agonists or antagonists require frequent administration, leading to poor patient compliance due to the need for daily oral doses or monthly injections, which is inconvenient and burdensome.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device containing a core polymer matrix with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, which disperses the therapeutic agent, allowing for sustained release over an extended period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GnRH agonist or antagonist is administered via oral or injectable dosage forms, then the therapeutic agent can be delivered to the patient, but the treatment requires frequent administration which decreases patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the therapeutic agent into an implantable device that is inserted into the patient's body. The device is prepared in advance with the GnRH agonist or antagonist embedded in a polymer matrix, allowing sustained release over time without requiring frequent patient intervention. This resolves the contradiction by establishing the treatment regimen beforehand, improving compliance while reducing the need for frequent administration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device applies self-service by automatically delivering the therapeutic agent through sustained release from the polymer matrix without requiring patient action. Once implanted, the device self-regulates the release of GnRH agonist or antagonist over an extended period, eliminating the burden of frequent oral or injectable administration while maintaining reliable therapeutic delivery.
2Duration of action of moving object
If GnRH agonist or antagonist is administered continuously over a long period, then sustained treatment effect is achieved, but patient compliance decreases due to the burden of continual administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action through the implantable device that provides continuous sustained release of the therapeutic agent from the polymer matrix. The device maintains a steady release rate of GnRH agonist or antagonist over an extended period (months to years), ensuring continuous therapeutic effect without interruption. This resolves the contradiction by making the continuous action automatic and passive, eliminating the compliance burden associated with continual patient administration while maintaining long-duration treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device applies self-service by autonomously providing long-duration treatment without requiring patient intervention. The polymer matrix continuously releases the therapeutic agent over months or years after a single implantation, making the prolonged treatment self-sustaining and eliminating compliance issues associated with long-term continual administration.
3Ease of manufacture
If oral dosage forms are used for GnRH agonist or antagonist, then the therapeutic agent can be administered, but patients must take multiple doses per day which is inconvenient and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple doses of the therapeutic agent into a single implantable device. Instead of requiring patients to take multiple separate oral doses throughout the day, all the GnRH agonist or antagonist is incorporated into one implant that releases the medication continuously over time. This resolves the contradiction by simplifying the dosage form from multiple discrete oral administrations to a single integrated implant, dramatically reducing the operational burden on patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-combining the therapeutic agent with the polymer matrix in the implantable device before implantation. The multiple doses that would otherwise be administered separately over time are prepared in advance as a single integrated formulation, allowing sustained release without requiring patients to remember or execute multiple daily dosing operations.
4Reliability
If injectable dosage forms are used for GnRH agonist or antagonist, then the therapeutic agent can be delivered, but patients must receive multiple injections each month which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating multiple monthly injections into a single implantable device. The therapeutic agent is incorporated into the polymer matrix of the implant, which releases the medication continuously over an extended period. This resolves the contradiction by merging multiple separate injection events into one implantation procedure, maintaining reliable therapeutic delivery while dramatically reducing the frequency and burden of administration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable device applies self-service by automatically providing the therapeutic delivery function that previously required repeated injection operations. Once implanted, the device autonomously releases the GnRH agonist or antagonist over months or years without requiring patient visits for injections, maintaining reliable drug delivery while eliminating the operational burden of frequent injections.
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 implantable device provides a convenient and sustained delivery of GnRH agonists or antagonists, reducing the frequency of administration and improving patient compliance.
Implementation Method 1
a core comprising a core polymer matrix within which is dispersed a therapeutic agent
Implementation Method 2
The core polymer matrix includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a melting temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable device for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided. The device includes a core including a core polymer matrix within which is dispersed a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent includes one or more GnRH agonist or antagonists or antagonists. The core polymer matrix includes an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer having a melting temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C. as determined in accordance with ASTM D3418-15 and/or a melt flow index of from about 0.2 to about 100 grams per 10 minutes as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238-13 at a temperature of 190° C. and a load of 2.16 kilograms.