Biodegradable Ketorolac Drug Depots for Sustained Postoperative Pain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ketorolac formulations require frequent dosing every 4 to 12 hours, leading to inconvenient and disruptive pain management for patients, as they experience breakthrough pain and anxiety waiting for the next dose, interfering with postoperative recovery and activities.

Innovation Solution

Development of biodegradable drug depots containing ketorolac that provide long-acting analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects for 3 to 10 days, allowing precise and minimally invasive implantation at the surgical site, enabling sustained pain relief without the need for frequent administrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If frequent dosing of ketorolac is administered every 4 to 12 hours, then pain relief is maintained, but patient convenience deteriorates and breakthrough pain occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief maintenanceVSAvoidpatient convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous pain relief by embedding ketorolac in a biodegradable polymer matrix that provides sustained release over 3-10 days. The polymer degradation continuously releases the drug at therapeutic levels, eliminating the need for frequent dosing while maintaining reliable pain control throughout the postoperative period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies ketorolac preemptively by implanting the drug depot before surgery or during the surgical procedure. This preliminary action ensures pain relief is established before postoperative pain begins, and the sustained release continues through the critical recovery period without requiring subsequent frequent interventions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If frequent dosing is required, then adequate pain control is achieved, but patient anxiety increases due to waiting for next dose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain control adequacyVSAvoidpatient anxiety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sustained release formulation maintains continuous therapeutic ketorolac levels in the tissue for 3-10 days, eliminating the anxiety associated with waiting for the next dose. Patients experience consistent pain control without the psychological distress of knowing when the next administration will occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If frequent administrations are needed, then pain management is effective, but recovery process is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain management effectivenessVSAvoidrecovery continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The single-implant sustained release system provides uninterrupted pain management for 3-10 days, allowing patients to recover continuously without disruptions from frequent medical visits or dosing schedules. This supports uninterrupted physical therapy and rehabilitation activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of operation

If single implantation is used, then patient trauma is minimized, but drug release duration must be extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient trauma minimizationVSAvoiddrug release duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the drug delivery system by using a biodegradable polymer matrix with controlled degradation rate. This allows a single small implant to release ketorolac steadily over 3-10 days, achieving both minimal patient trauma and extended drug release duration through material science rather than repeated procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ketorolac drug depots offer continuous pain management over an extended period, reducing patient anxiety and improving recovery by providing consistent pain relief with minimal physical and psychological trauma, allowing patients to engage in daily activities and sleep without the burden of frequent dosing.

Implementation Method 1

one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ketorolac

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

administering one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ketorolac to a target tissue site beneath the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS8956636B2Methods and compositions for treating postoperative pain comprosing ketorolac

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Methods and compositions are provided for reducing, treating or preventing postoperative pain or inflammation in a patient in need of such treatment, the methods and compositions comprising administering one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of ketorolac or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a target tissue site, wherein the drug depot releases an effective amount of ketorolac or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof over a period of 3 to 10 days.