Intracochlear Sustained-Release Drug Implants for Otic Disorders
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for otic disorders, such as noise-induced hearing loss and ototoxicity from chemotherapeutic agents, face challenges in delivering therapeutic agents effectively to the inner ear without systemic side effects, as existing methods often require high doses and prolonged administration, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A sustained-release drug delivery system comprising core particles coated with a polymeric coating, designed for insertion into the cochlea, which slowly releases otoprotective agents or chemotherapeutic drugs, maintaining effective concentrations for extended periods to prevent or reduce ototoxicity and hearing impairments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high doses of therapeutic agents are administered to treat otic disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but systemic side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the therapeutic agent from systemic circulation and delivers it directly to the cochlea through intracochlear injection. This localized delivery extracts the drug from the systemic pathway, achieving high local concentrations for effective treatment while avoiding systemic side effects that would occur with high-dose systemic administration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the cochlear fluid and round window membrane as intermediaries to transport the therapeutic agent directly to the inner ear. This intermediary delivery pathway bypasses systemic circulation, allowing effective drug delivery to the cochlea without exposing the rest of the body to high drug concentrations and their associated side effects
2Duration of action of moving object
If prolonged administration of therapeutic agents is used to maintain effective concentrations, then treatment duration is improved, but patient compliance and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by administering a single intracochlear injection that releases the therapeutic agent over an extended period. This preliminary delivery establishes sustained drug concentrations in the cochlea without requiring repeated patient visits or ongoing administration, thereby improving treatment duration while reducing the time and effort patients must invest in compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuity of useful action through sustained-release formulations and controlled diffusion from the injection site. The therapeutic agent continues to be delivered to the cochlear tissues over an extended period, maintaining effective concentrations continuously without requiring repeated interruptions for re-dosing, thus improving treatment duration while minimizing patient compliance burden
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 system provides prolonged therapeutic effects, reducing ototoxicity and hearing loss while allowing higher and more effective dosing of ototoxic drugs, minimizing systemic exposure and side effects, and maintaining pharmacologically effective concentrations for several days to years.
Implementation Method 1
A sustained-release drug delivery system comprising core particles coated with a polymeric coating, designed for insertion into the cochlea, which slowly releases otoprotective agents or chemotherapeutic drugs
Implementation Method 2
core particles coated with a polymeric coating, designed for insertion into the cochlea, which slowly releases otoprotective agents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for pharmaceutical preparations, devices, systems and methods for the treatment of otic diseases and conditions. In various embodiments, the preparations, devices, systems and methods enable sustained drug release for the treatment or prevention of hearing loss, infections, and other pathological conditions of cochlea and inner ear.