In Situ Biodegradable Microimplant Arrays for Sustained Tissue Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug and cell delivery methods face challenges such as limited bioavailability, side effects, compliance issues, penetration problems, mechanical weakness of soft materials, and inefficiencies in manufacturing and administration, particularly in the use of microneedle arrays for local and systemic delivery.
Innovation Solution
The development of biodegradable or biostable polymer-based microimplants formed in situ within the body, using devices like microneedle arrays, which create artificial cavities for sustained drug or cell delivery, eliminating the need for external manufacturing and reducing human error, and enabling delivery of drugs like Botox in solid form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If microneedle arrays are made with sharp edges for tissue penetration, then insertion capability is improved, but material selection is limited to hard materials and soft materials like hydrogels cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle array is divided into two functional parts: a sharp-edged insertion layer that penetrates the tissue, and a soft material body (hydrogel) that provides drug delivery functionality. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft hydrogel material is nested within or combined with the sharp-edged microneedle structure. The hydrogel core is surrounded by or integrated with the insertion-capable outer layer, allowing the soft material to benefit from the structural support and sharp edges of the outer layer.
2Manufacturing precision
If microneedle arrays are made externally in pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, then manufacturing control is improved, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel material exhibits self-assembly properties that enable the microneedle array to form its structure automatically under physiological conditions (pH, temperature, ionic strength), eliminating the need for complex external manufacturing processes and equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process utilizes changes in physical-chemical parameters (pH, temperature, ionic strength) to trigger self-assembly of the microneedle array from a precursor solution, simplifying production to basic solution preparation and application without requiring sophisticated manufacturing equipment.
3Duration of action of moving object
If sustained drug delivery is achieved through microneedle arrays, then therapeutic effect duration is improved, but drug release control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel matrix is engineered with specific local properties (crosslinking density, porosity, composition) that control drug release kinetics at different locations and times, enabling precise control over the sustained release profile while maintaining long-duration therapeutic effects.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses methods and composition to form biodegradable polymer implant arrays in the live tissue. Artificial cavities are created in the live tissue by using laser ablation, oscillating needle, microneedle array and other methods. The cavities are then filled with biodegradable polymer solution. The solvent in the polymer solution is dissipated in the tissue to form a biodegradable polymer implant in artificial cavities. The cavities and implants formed are arranged to form of an array of implants. The biodegradable polymer in the cavity can also be loaded with drug to form biodegradable drug delivery array in the live tissue.