Interpenetrating Polymer Delivery Device Controlled Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery devices using polymer matrices, such as hydrogels, often experience rapid uptake and release of chemical compounds, lacking control over the delivery profile and resulting in short delivery times.

Innovation Solution

The method involves creating an interpenetrating polymer substrate with a rubber-based continuous polymer and a hydrogelable precursor, where the chemical compound and loading solvent are selected to achieve a specific work of adhesion, allowing for controlled release by regulating the interaction between the second polymer and the chemical compound, thereby extending the delivery time and improving the release profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polymer matrix such as hydrogel is used for delivering chemical compounds, then the delivery device can be gentle to the compound and maintain compound stability, but the uptake and release of the chemical compound occurs rapidly resulting in short delivery time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompound stabilityVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure combining a rubber-based continuous polymer with a hydrogelable precursor. This composite structure allows the rubber matrix to provide mechanical stability and compound protection while the hydrogel network provides controlled diffusion pathways, resolving the contradiction between compound stability and extended delivery time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention controls the work of adhesion parameter between the second polymer and chemical compound to be at least about 0 J/m2. By regulating this adhesion parameter, the system achieves controlled release kinetics that extend delivery time while maintaining compound stability, transforming the rapid uptake/release issue into a controllable feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the loading solvent swells the second polymer to load the chemical compound, then the delivery device can be gentle to the compound, but the release profile is difficult to control and delivery time is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompound stabilityVSAvoidrelease profile control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention precisely controls the work of adhesion parameter between the second polymer and chemical compound to be at least about 0 J/m2. This parameter control enables the system to maintain compound stability during loading while achieving predictable, controlled release profiles, resolving the contradiction between gentleness and release control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The IPN structure acts as an intermediary system between the loading solvent and the chemical compound. The rubber-based continuous polymer and hydrogelable precursor create a complex network that mediates the interaction between solvent and compound, providing both gentle loading conditions and controllable release characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a simple polymer matrix is used for drug delivery, then the device complexity is low, but the delivery time is short and release profile cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematrix structureVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprising a rubber-based continuous polymer and a hydrogelable precursor. This composite structure increases device complexity only moderately while dramatically extending delivery time through the synergistic effects of the rubber matrix (providing structural stability) and hydrogel network (providing controlled diffusion), achieving superior delivery performance without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 a prolonged and controlled release of chemical compounds, maintaining the release profile within a desired interval for an extended period while ensuring the delivery device is gentle to the compound, allowing for a higher amount of compound to be released effectively.

Implementation Method 1

loading the IP substrate with the chemical compound by subjecting the IP substrate to the loading solvent comprising the chemical compound under conditions where the loading solvent at least partially swells the second polymer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling:

Implementation Method 2

The chemical compound, the second polymer and the loading solvent are selected such that the work of adhesion (Whc) between the second polymer and the chemical compound during at least a part of the loading is at least about 0 J/m2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWork of adhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10023708B2Method of producing a delivery device
Publication Date: 2018.07.17 PTT HLDG APS

AI summary

A method of producing a delivery device for delivering a chemical compound includes i) providing an interpenetrating polymer substrate (IP substrate) having a first continuous polymer comprising rubber and a second polymer having hydrogel or a hydrogelable precursor, where the second polymer is interpenetrating in the first polymer; ii) providing the chemical compound and a loading solvent for the chemical compound; and iii) loading the IP substrate with the chemical compound by subjecting the IP substrate to the loading solvent having the chemical compound under conditions where the loading solvent at least partially swells the second polymer. The chemical compound, the second polymer and the loading solvent are selected such that the work of adhesion (Whc) between the second polymer and the chemical compound during at least a part of the loading is at least about 0 J/m2.