Inductive Microheaters for Transdermal Skin Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transdermal drug delivery systems face limitations due to the impermeable nature of human skin, particularly the stratum corneum, which restricts the delivery of a wide variety of active agents and requires physical connections for power supply, limiting their application and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of thermal treatment devices with microheaters that create micropores in the skin using ohmic or inductive heating, allowing for controlled delivery of active agents and analyte sampling without physical connection to the power supply, thereby increasing skin permeability and enabling the transdermal delivery of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biotechnology-derived compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal treatment devices with microheaters are used to create micropores in the skin, then skin permeability is increased and transdermal delivery of active agents is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for power supply connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrical connection methods with inductive heating technology. The microheater component is wirelessly powered through inductive coupling with a power supply component, eliminating the need for physical wire connections to the skin. This substitution of mechanical connection with electromagnetic energy transfer reduces device complexity while maintaining thermal treatment effectiveness for creating micropores and enhancing transdermal delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inductive coupling mechanism as an intermediary between the power supply and microheater. The power supply component generates an electromagnetic field that inductively couples with the microheater component, transferring energy wirelessly. This intermediary electromagnetic field mechanism enables thermal treatment without direct physical connections, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable power delivery for skin permeability enhancement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional transdermal delivery systems are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but the impermeable stratum corneum barrier limits the delivery of a wide variety of active agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal treatment to change the physical state and permeability parameters of the stratum corneum barrier. By heating the skin surface with microheaters to controlled temperatures, the patent temporarily alters the barrier properties of the stratum corneum, creating micropores that enhance permeability. This parameter change enables the delivery of a broader range of active agents including proteins and nucleic acids, while the device structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary thermal treatment to the stratum corneum before delivering active agents. The microheater component is first activated to create micropores in the barrier layer, preparing the skin surface to enhance permeability. This preliminary action of barrier modification enables subsequent delivery of diverse active agents more effectively, while the device structure remains simple and focused on the essential heating function.
3Ease of operation
If physical connections to power supply are required for thermal treatment, then reliable power delivery is ensured, but flexibility and ease of application are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wire connections with inductive electromagnetic coupling for power delivery. The power supply component generates an electromagnetic field that inductively couples with the microheater component, eliminating the need for physical wires to contact the skin. This substitution provides application flexibility and ease of use while maintaining reliable power delivery to the heating element for thermal treatment.
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 method enhances the transdermal delivery of active agents by creating controlled micropores in the skin, allowing for efficient permeation of drugs and analyte sampling, offering a non-invasive, flexible, and effective alternative to conventional delivery methods.
Implementation Method 1
The microheaters are heated by ohmic or inductive heating
Implementation Method 2
The microheaters are heated by ohmic or inductive heating
Implementation Method 3
The microheaters may provide controlled, precise thermal ablation and create a micropore in the barrier
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises methods and devices for thermal treatment of a barrier to increase the permeability of the barrier. One form of increasing the permeability of the barrier comprises forming micropores which may be used for administration of active agents across the barrier, or may be used for sampling or collecting fluids, or may be used for detecting, measuring or determining analytes, or may be used for monitoring of physiological or other conditions. Devices of the present invention may comprise microheaters that are activated by inductive or ohmic heating power supply components.