Implantable Microneedle Patch with Dissolvable Base
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microneedle technologies face challenges in achieving sufficient mechanical strength and controlled drug release, often requiring complex manufacturing processes and high costs, while also struggling with the need for long-term application to ensure sustained release.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implantable sustained-release microneedle patch using a polylactic acid-based needle tip center layer and a water-soluble polymer material for the needle body, base, and outer layer, which enhances mechanical strength and skin penetration, allowing for efficient drug delivery and prolonged release without the need for long-term application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional metal, glass, or silicon microneedles are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but safety deteriorates due to breaking and leaving residues in the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal/glass/silicon to biodegradable polymer materials (PLA, PGA, PLGA) that maintain sufficient mechanical strength for skin penetration while eliminating the harmful effect of breaking and leaving residues. The polymer materials are specifically selected to degrade safely in the body over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining biodegradable polymer matrices with embedded drug particles or microsphere carriers. This composite approach allows the microneedle to achieve both mechanical strength for penetration and controlled drug release functionality, while the polymer matrix ensures safe biodegradation without harmful residues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer microneedles with water-soluble or biodegradable materials are used, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to specific material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by selecting polymer materials with appropriate melting points and processing characteristics. The biodegradable polymers are chosen to be processable using conventional microneedle manufacturing techniques, avoiding the need for complex specialized equipment while maintaining safety benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes biodegradable polymer materials that can be easily manufactured and disposed of after serving their purpose. The materials are designed to degrade in the body after delivering the drug payload, eliminating the need for complex retrieval mechanisms and simplifying both manufacturing and clinical application.
3Duration of action of moving object
If microneedles are designed for sustained-release, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity increases due to controlled release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates drug-loaded microsphere carriers or particles during the microneedle manufacturing process, so that the controlled release mechanism is pre-established within the microneedle structure. This preliminary action allows sustained-release functionality to be built-in without adding complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable polymer matrices that automatically control drug release through their natural degradation process. The microneedle structure itself serves as the release mechanism, with the polymer degrading over time to release the embedded drug payload without requiring external control systems or additional complexity.
4Duration of action of moving object
If microneedles require long-term application for sustained release, then duration of action is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended application period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent loads drugs into the microneedle structure during manufacturing, with the biodegradable polymer matrix designed to release the drug over a controlled period. This preliminary loading allows the microneedle to provide sustained release functionality without requiring prolonged application time from the user, as the release mechanism is activated upon insertion and degrades automatically.
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
This solution provides a microneedle patch with improved mechanical strength and skin penetration, enabling efficient drug delivery and prolonged release, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, and eliminating the need for long-term application.
Implementation Method 1
the needle tip and the needle body and the base are formed of different matrices; the needle body and the base being formed of a matrix comprising a water-soluble polymer material... the needle tip will be separated from the needle body and the base
Implementation Method 2
the needle tip center layer is formed of a matrix comprising a biodegradable water-insoluble polymer material... achieving purposes of convenience, safety, biodegradability, and efficient administration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
An implantable sustained-release microneedle patch and a preparation method therefor. The implantable sustained-release microneedle comprises a needle tip, a needle body, and a base. The needle tip comprises a needle tip center layer and a needle tip outer layer. The needle tip center layer is formed of a matrix comprising a biodegradable water-insoluble polymer material. The needle tip outer layer, the needle body, and the base are formed of a matrix comprising a water-soluble polymer material. The microneedle patch comprises the microneedle and absorbs the moisture of the skin when the microneedle acts on skin, so that the base and the needle body are quickly separated from the needle tip within 0.5-2 h. After the base is removed, the needle tip will be left in skin, and the user does not need the patch sticking for a long time to ensure long-term release of a drug in the body.