Microneedle Array with Heat-Generating Element for Drug Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microneedle systems for intradermal drug delivery have a short dwell time in the skin, leading to interrupted release of active ingredients, and are limited by the stability and effectiveness of their carrier matrices.

Innovation Solution

A microneedle array with a heat-generating element, such as a latent heat store or an electrically conductive textile fabric, that accelerates the dissolution of water-soluble formulations containing active ingredients, allowing for increased release and faster onset of action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If microneedle systems are used for intradermal drug delivery, then painless administration is achieved, but the dwell time in skin is too short causing interrupted release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepainless administrationVSAvoiddwell time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the microneedles from the carrier after application, allowing them to remain detached in the skin for extended periods. The microneedles are designed to be removable from the carrier while maintaining their functional integrity and continued drug release capability in the intradermal space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The microneedles are pre-loaded with active ingredients in a controlled-release formulation before application. This preliminary preparation ensures that the drug release mechanism is already in place and will continue functioning after the microneedles detach from the carrier, extending the effective dwell time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If self-dissolving microneedles are used to extend dwell time, then no extra storage container is needed, but the dissolution speed is limited by skin water content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveno extra storage containerVSAvoiddissolution speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the microneedle formulation to enhance dissolution speed. This includes selecting polymers with appropriate hydrophilicity, optimizing the drug-to-polymer ratio, and adjusting the crystalline or amorphous state of the formulation to accelerate dissolution in the intradermal environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The microneedles utilize composite material formulations combining multiple polymers and excipients with complementary properties. This composite approach balances mechanical strength for penetration with enhanced dissolution characteristics, achieving both structural integrity and rapid drug release in the skin environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If water-soluble formulations are used in microneedles, then complete penetration and dissolution is achieved, but the effective delivery area is limited by mechanical stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete dissolutionVSAvoideffective delivery area

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the drug delivery system into multiple microneedles arranged in an array, each capable of independent penetration and dissolution. This segmentation increases the total effective delivery area by providing multiple penetration points across the skin surface while maintaining the water-soluble formulation's complete dissolution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microneedles incorporate porous material structures that enhance surface area and facilitate rapid drug release. The porous architecture provides increased contact area with skin fluids, accelerating dissolution while maintaining mechanical integrity during penetration, thereby expanding the effective delivery area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 use of a heat-generating microneedle array significantly shortens the lag time for active ingredient release, increases the amount and rate of release, and enhances the therapeutic effect by ensuring consistent delivery regardless of skin type.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a microneedle array having a heat-generating element, wherein the microneedle array contains a heat store, particularly a latent heat store

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

an electrically conductive textile fabric, that accelerates the dissolution of water-soluble formulations containing active ingredients

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12208228B2Microneedle array comprising a heat-producing element

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 LTS LOHMANN THERAPIE SYST AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a microneedle array having a heat-generating element and its use for the intradermal application of active ingredients, particularly active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and drugs, wherein this microneedle array is suitable for skin penetration on humans or animals and the microneedles consist of a water-soluble formulation, which contains at least one active ingredient.