Medicated Therapeutic Brace With Permeable Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medication delivery systems, such as medicated patches and orthopedic support structures, face limitations in providing sustained and controlled medication release directly to the skin while being worn, particularly for therapeutic braces that require flexibility and comfort around joints.
Innovation Solution
A medication delivery system integrated into a therapeutic brace, featuring a bladder with a permeable and impermeable sheet configuration that allows medication to be dispensed through a port, or a vesicle-type device, ensuring controlled release and comfort by being either releasably attachable or integrated into the brace's structure, with options for refilling and secure adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a medicated patch is used for sustained medication release, then medication delivery is improved, but the brace lacks flexibility and comfort around joints
Solution Approach 1:
The medicated patch is divided into multiple layers including a flexible substrate layer, medication reservoir layer, and permeable release layer. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specific properties: the substrate provides flexibility and conformability to joint movements, while the medication layers sustain drug delivery over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patch uses composite material construction combining flexible polymers in the substrate with controlled-release medication matrices. This composite structure enables the patch to simultaneously provide mechanical flexibility for joint mobility and pharmacological functionality for sustained medication release.
2Reliability
If a medicated patch is adhered to the skin, then medication delivery is ensured, but skin irritation and discomfort may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied only to specific portions of the patch substrate rather than the entire surface, creating zones of different functionality. The adhesive regions provide secure attachment for reliable medication delivery, while non-adhesive regions allow skin breathing and reduce irritation. The permeable medication release layer also provides a non-irritating interface with the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable release layer acts as an intermediary between the medication reservoir and the skin, controlling medication transfer while providing a soft, non-irritating contact surface. This intermediate layer prevents direct skin contact with potentially irritating adhesive and concentrated medication, reducing skin reactions.
3Reliability
If the medicated patch is integrated into the brace, then medication delivery is maintained during movement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The medicated patch is merged with the brace by integrating it into existing structural elements such as straps, pads, or lining materials. This merging approach combines medication delivery functionality with existing brace components rather than adding separate complex systems, thereby maintaining medication consistency during movement while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing brace components such as straps and padding are designed to serve multiple functions: providing structural support, ensuring patient comfort, and delivering medication. By making these existing components multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated medication delivery systems, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable medication delivery.
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 system effectively delivers medication over time, providing therapeutic benefits while ensuring comfort and flexibility, with options for refilling and secure attachment, addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The outer sheet is permeable to the medication in the bladder
Implementation Method 2
The brace-sided sheet is an impermeable material with a port
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for medication delivery to a patient wearing a therapeutic brace. The medication delivery system includes a medication delivery device working in conjunction with a brace. The delivery device includes a bladder formed from two opposing sheets that are joined at a peripheral edge. The sheet positioned adjacent the brace is impermeable to the medication and the opposite sheet is permeable and is in contact with the epidermis of the patient when the brace is worn. In one embodiment, the device includes a port that extends from the bladder through the brace, allowing medication to be introduced into the bladder when the delivery device is attached to the brace. In another embodiment, the port extends longitudinally from the bladder. A sealing sheet is releasably attached to the bladder to seal the medication in the bladder.