Magnetic Skin Delivery Device for Non-Invasive Therapeutic Agent Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering therapeutic agents through the skin are hindered by the skin's barrier function, leading to inefficiencies and invasiveness, such as pain and risk of infectious disease transmission from needle injections.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a delivery device capable of generating a magnetic field to direct therapeutic agents, including nanoparticles, into and through the skin, eliminating the need for needles and invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hypodermic needle injection is used to deliver therapeutic agents through the skin, then delivery efficiency is improved, but pain and risk of infectious disease transmission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle injection system with a magnetic field-based delivery system. Magnetic nanoparticles carrying therapeutic agents are guided through the skin using external magnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical needle penetration while maintaining delivery efficiency to target tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic nanoparticles as intermediary carriers that can be magnetically controlled. These nanoparticles serve as mediators between the external magnetic field and the therapeutic agents, enabling non-invasive delivery while protecting the agents and allowing precise positioning at the treatment site.
2Reliability
If the skin's barrier function is maintained, then protection from foreign materials is improved, but therapeutic agent delivery is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of therapeutic agents by encapsulating them in magnetic nanoparticles with controlled size, surface charge, and magnetic properties. This allows the agents to interact with the skin barrier differently while maintaining the barrier's protective function, enabling delivery without compromising skin integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies magnetic field gradients locally at the treatment site to guide nanoparticles through specific regions of the skin. The magnetic field is concentrated at the target area, allowing selective delivery of therapeutic agents to specific depths and locations while leaving the rest of the skin barrier intact and functional.
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 allows for non-invasive, efficient delivery of therapeutic agents directly to treatment sites within the skin, reducing pain and the risk of infection, while also avoiding the limitations of chemical permeabilization.
Implementation Method 1
providing a delivery device capable of generating a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
directing the agent into the patient's skin via the device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating a patient includes providing a delivery device capable of generating a magnetic field, placing the device above or below the skin, and directing the agent into the patient's skin via the device. The therapeutic agent is directed to a treatment site through the skin. Systems for directing agents are also included herein.