Ultrasound Responsive Microbubbles for Localized Noble Gas Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering noble gases, such as xenon, for treating hypoxia ischemia-related injuries face challenges due to systemic delivery via inhalation, which reduces efficacy at the injury site, and existing encapsulation methods have low payload and limited diagnostic signal.
Innovation Solution
Development of microbubble compositions comprising noble gases encapsulated within a lipid, protein, or polymer shell, allowing for localized delivery and ultrasound-mediated rupture to release the gas at the injury site, enhancing therapeutic and diagnostic efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If noble gases are delivered via inhalation, then delivery is simple and systemic, but efficacy at the injury site is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delivery system by using microbubbles as individual carriers that can be targeted to specific injury sites. Each microbubble acts as an independent delivery unit that can be directed to the specific location needed, rather than relying on systemic inhalation distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microbubbles as intermediary carriers between the noble gas source and the injury site. These microbubbles serve as vehicles that can be delivered to specific locations and then rupture to release the noble gas locally, improving site-specific efficacy while maintaining ease of administration through intravenous injection.
2Reliability
If existing encapsulation methods are used, then noble gases can be delivered locally, but payload and diagnostic signal are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested doll principle by placing noble gases inside microbubble shells. The microbubbles themselves are nested within the circulatory system, and the noble gases are nested within the microbubble interior. This nested structure allows for high payload capacity while maintaining localized delivery capability at the injury site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the delivery system by using microbubbles with specific size ranges (0.5-20 micrometers) and shell compositions (lipids, proteins, or polymers). These parameter changes enable the microbubbles to carry significantly higher payloads of noble gases while maintaining stability and localized delivery capability.
3Reliability
If existing encapsulation methods are used, then localized delivery is achieved, but diagnostic signal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes principle by using echogenic shell materials that produce strong ultrasound contrast signals. The microbubble shells are designed to reflect ultrasound waves, creating a detectable diagnostic signal that allows real-time monitoring of delivery to the injury site. This enables both localized delivery and enhanced diagnostic capability simultaneously.
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 microbubble approach provides improved localized delivery of noble gases, increasing therapeutic efficacy and diagnostic signal, with stable and echogenic microbubbles capable of significant ultrasound contrast and neuroprotective effects in traumatic brain injury models.
Implementation Method 1
a microbubble comprising a noble gas and/or a perfluorocarbon encapsulated within a shell that comprises one or more of a lipid, a protein, or a polymer
Implementation Method 2
the rupture optionally being effected by application of ultrasound
Implementation Method 3
controllably effecting rupture of microbubbles of a microbubble composition
Data Source
AI summary
A microbubble composition, comprising: a plurality of microbubbles, a microbubble comprising a noble gas and/or perfluorocarbon encapsulated within a shell that comprises one or more of a lipid, a protein, or a polymer, and a microbubble optionally defining a cross-sectional dimension in the range of from about 0.5 to about 20 micrometers. A method, comprising forming a composition according to the present disclosure. A method, comprising administering a microbubble composition according to the present disclosure to a subject, the composition optionally comprising echogenic phospholipid microbubbles. A method, comprising: (a) identifying, with the application of energy, the location of a microbubble composition according to the present disclosure, the energy optionally being ultrasound, (b) controllably effecting rupture of microbubbles of a microbubble composition of the present disclosure, the rupture optionally being effected by application of ultrasound, or both (a) and (b).