Lidocaine Patch for Neuropathic Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for neuropathic pain, such as systemic analgesics and local injections, are associated with significant side effects, limited efficacy, and require professional administration, whereas topical dermal patches offer a more tolerable and effective alternative for delivering local analgesics like lidocaine, but existing patches may cause skin warming and have dosage limitations.
Innovation Solution
A transdermal delivery patch comprising a therapeutically effective amount of lidocaine less than 4% by weight, optionally combined with a permeation enhancement agent like menthol, for extended pain relief, applied to the skin surface near the pain site, potentially using iontophoresis or magnetophoresis for enhanced delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional topical formulations (creams) are used to deliver lidocaine, then the application is simple and non-invasive, but they allow neither exact dosage nor continuous penetration over prolonged periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a transdermal patch comprising a flexible adhesive layer containing lidocaine in a gel or ointment form. The patch maintains continuous contact with the skin through its adhesive properties, enabling prolonged and reliable drug delivery. The flexible film structure allows exact dosage control while ensuring continuous penetration of lidocaine through the skin barrier over extended periods.
2Reliability
If existing lidocaine patches are used, then transdermal delivery is achieved, but they cause skin warming and have dosage limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the formulation parameters by incorporating specific permeation enhancement agents and adjusting the lidocaine concentration within a controlled range (0.1-10%). The gel or ointment base is formulated to maintain optimal drug release kinetics without causing skin warming. The adhesive layer is designed with specific rheological properties to ensure steady-state drug delivery at therapeutic doses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch comprises a composite structure with an adhesive layer containing lidocaine dispersed in a gel or ointment matrix. The formulation combines lidocaine hydrochloride or lidocaine base with permeation enhancement agents and stabilizing excipients to achieve effective transdermal delivery without adverse skin warming effects. The composite material structure enables controlled drug release while maintaining patient comfort.
3Reliability
If systemic analgesics are used to treat neuropathic pain, then pain relief is achieved systemically, but significant side effects occur including gastric disorders, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention delivers lidocaine locally to the site of pain through transdermal application. The drug is concentrated at the application site and penetrates the skin to reach underlying tissues and nerves, providing localized analgesia. This local delivery approach spares the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver from exposure to high systemic doses of NSAIDs and other systemic analgesics, thereby avoiding their associated toxicities.
4Reliability
If local injections are used to deliver anesthetics, then direct pain relief is achieved, but the procedure is painful and requires professional administration
Solution Approach 1:
The transdermal patch is designed for self-application by the patient without requiring professional medical intervention. The patient can easily attach the patch to the skin over the painful area and remove it after the desired duration. This eliminates the need for painful injections and professional administration while maintaining effective local analgesia through controlled transdermal delivery of lidocaine.
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 patch provides sustained pain relief for neuropathic, osteoarthritis, back, and muscle-related pain for 12 to 24 hours or more with reduced systemic absorption, minimizing side effects and allowing easy self-administration, while maintaining effective analgesia.
Implementation Method 1
the composition further comprises a treatment enhancing amount of a permeation enhancement agent
Implementation Method 2
potentially using iontophoresis or magnetophoresis for enhanced delivery
Implementation Method 3
potentially using iontophoresis or magnetophoresis for enhanced delivery
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to a transdermal delivery patch comprising local anesthetic agent and optionally a permeation enhancement agent for reducing neuropathic pain.