Ultrasound-Triggered Drug Delivery via Microbubble Cavitation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery systems often require surgical implantation and external equipment for on-demand drug release, limiting patient and practitioner control over drug modulation, and frequently result in single drug release events or inefficient multiple dose delivery.
Innovation Solution
An injectable or implantable drug delivery system utilizing a drug depot with encapsulating material and microbubbles that enhances ultrasound-triggered drug release, allowing for controlled and repeated drug delivery through modulation of ultrasound frequency, intensity, and duration, enabling precise dosage administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical implantation and external equipment are used for on-demand drug release, then drug delivery control is achieved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patient self-administration of drug delivery through simple external ultrasound application. The patient can control drug release timing and dosage by applying an external ultrasound device to the implant site without requiring surgical intervention or complex external equipment, making the system self-servicing and easy to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the complex surgical implantation and external equipment requirements from the system by using a simple implantable reservoir that can be activated by non-invasive external ultrasound, eliminating the need for surgical implantation procedures and complex external control equipment
2Productivity
If particulate drug delivery systems are used, then on-demand release is achieved, but drug release is limited to single events
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static single-release particulate systems to a dynamic reusable implantable reservoir that can be repeatedly activated by ultrasound. The reservoir maintains drug supply over extended periods and can be dynamically controlled to release drug multiple times based on patient needs, enhancing both productivity and duration of action
3Duration of action of moving object
If macroscopic devices are used for multiple dose delivery, then repeated drug release is achieved, but surgical implantation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simple implantable reservoir that can be administered via minimally invasive injection rather than requiring surgical implantation. The reservoir is designed as a disposable or long-term implantable device that provides multiple dose delivery without the complexity and invasiveness of surgical procedures, making the system more accessible and easier to administer
4Ease of operation
If external electrical equipment is used for drug delivery control, then on-demand release is achieved, but patient autonomy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex electrical control systems with a simple mechanical/physical ultrasound activation mechanism. The implantable reservoir responds to external ultrasound waves through acoustic cavitation of microbubbles, eliminating the need for electrical components, batteries, or complex electronic control systems while maintaining patient autonomy and ease of operation
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 provides on-demand, ultrasound-triggered drug release capable of sustaining drug delivery for extended periods, allowing patients or practitioners to control the timing and extent of drug release, enhancing flexibility and precision in drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The microbubbles enhance the drug release when ultrasound is applied compared to the same system in the absence of microbubbles
Implementation Method 2
on-demand, ultrasound-triggered drug release
Data Source
AI summary
Injectable or implantable drug delivery systems providing on-demand ultrasound-triggered drug release and methods for controlling the release of drug in a patient are provided herein. The on-demand drug delivery systems contain a drug depot and a drug encapsulated in an encapsulating material, where the encapsulating material is different from the depot. In the preferred embodiment, the depot also contains microbubbles that encapsulate one or more gases. The microbubbles enhance the drug release when ultrasound is applied compared to the same system in the absence of microbubbles. In a preferred embodiment, the drug delivery system, contains an encapsulating material, preferably liposomes, a drug to be delivered, microbubbles, and at least two hydrogel-forming precursor components. Following injection or implantation, the patient can control the time, location and dosage released by administering ultrasound.