Intranasal Unit Dose Container Olfactory Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nasal drug delivery devices face challenges in effectively targeting the olfactory region of the nasal cavity for direct nose-to-brain delivery, as they often result in inconsistent propulsion and wide spray plumes, leading to low deposition of drugs on the olfactory epithelium, and existing methods struggle to bypass the blood-brain barrier for therapeutic agents.
Innovation Solution
A unit dose container system with a POD device that includes a canister, diffuser, and nozzle, capable of delivering compounds directly to the olfactory region using a propellant to ensure precise deposition, bypassing the natural downward air movement in the nasal cavity and utilizing a puncture member with adjustable angles to optimize drug delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional nasal spray devices are used to deliver drug to the nasal cavity, then the drug can be easily administered, but the drug deposits on the lower nasal cavity and is absorbed into the bloodstream instead of reaching the CNS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aiming guides that provide spatial orientation in multiple dimensions (horizontal and vertical angles) to direct the spray plume toward the olfactory region. This dimensional guidance system enables precise targeting of the upper nasal cavity while maintaining ease of administration through intuitive alignment markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a diffuser as an intermediary component between the propellant and the nasal cavity. The diffuser modifies the spray plume characteristics to achieve optimal deposition patterns in the olfactory region, acting as a mediator that transforms the propellant flow into a controlled delivery mechanism.
2Productivity
If nasal spray devices deliver drug to the lower nasal cavity, then the drug is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, but this eliminates the advantage of using the nasal route for CNS delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nasal cavity delivery target into distinct regions (lower nasal cavity versus olfactory region) and uses aiming guides to selectively target the olfactory region. This segmentation allows the system to bypass the bloodstream absorption pathway and directly access the CNS through the olfactory nerve pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by directing the spray plume to a specific localized region (the olfactory epithelium in the upper nasal cavity) rather than distributing it throughout the entire nasal cavity. This localized delivery ensures that the drug reaches the CNS pathway while minimizing systemic absorption.
3Device complexity
If existing nasal devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the spray plume is too wide resulting in low deposition on the olfactory epithelium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds aiming guides with horizontal and vertical angle markers that introduce dimensional precision to the spray delivery system. These guides provide angular reference frames that narrow the effective spray plume direction without fundamentally redesigning the nozzle structure, thus maintaining relative simplicity while improving deposition accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable or movable aiming guides that can be positioned at different angles to match the user's nasal anatomy. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to adapt to individual variations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 achieves higher brain exposure and lower plasma exposure of therapeutic agents, with significant deposition in the olfactory region, effectively bypassing the blood-brain barrier and improving the delivery of compounds to the central nervous system.
Implementation Method 1
a canister capable of containing a propellant... the device is capable of delivering the compound to the olfactory region of the nasal cavity
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser in communication with the canister... capable of delivering the compound to the olfactory region
Data Source
AI summary
A unit dose container for the containment of an intranasal formulation for use with the POD device.