Intravaginal Ring Pump for Adjustable Drug Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering therapeutic compounds, such as vaginal rings, have limitations including predetermined release patterns, instability over time, exclusion of peptides and larger molecules, and inability to achieve pulsatile or on-demand treatment, while oral drug delivery faces issues like the 'first-pass' effect and low bioavailability.
Innovation Solution
A liquid formulation of therapeutically active compounds is administered via an intravaginal ring with a reservoir and a pump for controlled release, allowing for adjustable dosing and timing, including pulsatile delivery, and integration of diagnostic sensors for patient compliance monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a vaginal ring with resin is used to deliver therapeutic compounds, then the drug can be released over time, but the release pattern is predetermined and cannot be adjusted during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the static resin-based release system with a dynamic pump system that can be controlled to adjust the release pattern of the therapeutic compound. The pump mechanism allows the release rate and timing to be modified during treatment based on patient needs, transforming a fixed-release system into an adaptable one.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a vaginal ring with resin is used to deliver therapeutic compounds, then the drug can be delivered continuously, but the dosage gradually diminishes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a control system that monitors the remaining drug quantity in the reservoir and automatically adjusts the pump operation to maintain a constant dosage rate throughout treatment. This feedback mechanism ensures that the dosage remains stable and predictable from the beginning to the end of the treatment period, eliminating the gradual diminution problem of resin-based systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If a vaginal ring with resin is used to deliver therapeutic compounds, then the drug can be released from the resin, but peptides and larger molecules are excluded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical dissolution and diffusion mechanism of resin-based delivery with a mechanical pump system that can deliver liquid formulations. This mechanical substitution enables the delivery of peptides and larger molecules that cannot be effectively released from resin matrices, expanding the range of applicable compounds to include those with higher molecular weights and greater sensitivity to chemical environments.
4Ease of operation
If oral drug delivery is used, then the drug can be administered conveniently, but first-pass effect and low bioavailability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the vaginal mucosa as an intermediary absorption site that provides direct access to the systemic circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic first-pass metabolism. This alternative route maintains the convenience of non-invasive administration while achieving higher and more reliable bioavailability by eliminating the metabolic barriers present in oral delivery.
5Reliability
If pulsatile drug delivery is required for diseases with circadian rhythms, then the treatment can be optimized, but conventional delivery systems cannot achieve pulsed treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a pump system controlled by a timer or sensor that can deliver therapeutic compounds in periodic pulses synchronized with circadian rhythms or specific physiological events. This periodic action capability allows optimization of treatment for diseases with circadian patterns by delivering drug doses at the appropriate times in the circadian cycle, achieving timing precision that continuous-release systems cannot provide.
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 approach enables systemic absorption of a wide range of compounds, including peptides, with reduced side effects, stable serum levels, and user-controlled administration, suitable for conditions requiring precise dosing and timing, like circadian rhythm-related diseases.
Implementation Method 1
Absorption after intra-vaginal administration was confirmed for all test compounds... Drugs administered in liquid formulation in the vagina via a ring are now found to be absorbed in the body, where they exert systemic activity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a therapeutically active compound for the treatment of a medical condition, wherein the therapeutically active compound is administered in liquid formulation via the vagina by using an intravaginal ring. The present invention further relates to a therapeutically active compound selected from the group consisting of oxybutynin and other anti-muscarinic compounds, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and derivatives, both agonists and antagonists, nitroglycerin and other directly or indirectly acting cGMP enhancers, buprenorphine and other agonistic, antagonistic or partial (ant)agonistic opioids, nicotine and derivatives, lorazepam and other benzodiazepines, insulin and other blood glucose regulating compounds, FSH and other hormones for ovulation stimulation, pramipexol and other dopamine agonists, oxytocin and other hypothalamic peptides for the treatment of a medical condition, wherein the therapeutically active compound is administered in liquid formulation via the vagina by using an intravaginal ring.