Soluble Microneedle Patch With Battery-Triggered Tissue Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patches for sticking to biological tissue face challenges in promoting the permeation of high-molecular-weight active ingredients and require complex steps to initiate battery reactions due to the use of metal-air batteries and biofuel cells, which can corrode with liquid or gel-shaped active ingredients, and pose environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A patch for sticking to biological tissue that includes a battery unit and soluble microneedles containing an active ingredient, where the microneedles dissolve in the tissue to initiate a battery reaction, utilizing a magnesium-air battery principle without an electrolyte, and uses bacteria-produced cellulose carbide for the positive electrode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal-air battery or biofuel cell is used, then battery reaction can be initiated, but electrode corrodes when liquid, creamy, or gel-shaped active ingredient is continuously in contact with the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the partition wall that separates the active ingredient from the battery, allowing direct contact between the active ingredient and the battery components. This extraction of the separating barrier enables the battery reaction to start easily while avoiding the corrosion problem by using a soluble microneedle that dissolves in the tissue without causing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a soluble microneedle made of biodegradable material that dissolves in the biological tissue after serving its purpose of delivering the active ingredient and initiating the battery reaction. This disposable approach eliminates the need for long-lasting electrodes that would corrode, as the microneedle is designed to be temporary and biocompatible.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If partition wall separating active ingredient from battery is used, then electrode corrosion is prevented, but complicated step of removing partition wall is required before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the partition wall that separates the active ingredient from the battery, allowing direct contact between the active ingredient and the battery components. This extraction of the separating barrier enables the battery reaction to start easily while avoiding the corrosion problem by using a soluble microneedle that dissolves in the tissue without causing harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The soluble microneedle is pre-designed to dissolve in the biological tissue upon insertion, automatically initiating the battery reaction without requiring any additional steps to remove partition walls or prepare the active ingredient separately. The microneedle itself serves as both the delivery vehicle and the initiation trigger.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional patch is used, then low-molecular-weight active ingredient permeation is promoted, but high-molecular-weight active ingredient permeation is not effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical permeation method (relying on small molecular size to pass through skin barriers) with an electrochemical system. The battery reaction generates electrical current that actively transports active ingredients through the skin, enabling high-molecular-weight molecules to permeate effectively without being limited by the 500 dalton rule.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanism of permeation from passive diffusion (dependent on molecular weight) to active electrochemical transport. By introducing electrical energy through the battery reaction, the system can transport molecules of any size through the skin barrier, fundamentally changing the parameter that limits permeation from molecular weight to electrical current capability.
4Power
If general dry battery is used, then power supply is provided, but harmful materials and rare metals are used increasing environmental load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a soluble microneedle made of biodegradable material that dissolves in the biological tissue after serving its purpose of delivering the active ingredient and initiating the battery reaction. This disposable approach eliminates the need for long-lasting electrodes that would corrode, as the microneedle is designed to be temporary and biocompatible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanism of permeation from passive diffusion (dependent on molecular weight) to active electrochemical transport. By introducing electrical energy through the battery reaction, the system can transport molecules of any size through the skin barrier, fundamentally changing the parameter that limits permeation from molecular weight to electrical current capability.
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 patch effectively promotes the permeation of high-molecular-weight active ingredients and easily initiates a battery reaction, reducing environmental impact by avoiding the use of harmful materials and simplifying the application process.
Implementation Method 1
a battery reaction is started by inserting the soluble microneedle into the biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
an active ingredient that permeates into the biological tissue is said to have a molecular weight of 500 daltons or less
Data Source
AI summary
A patch for sticking to a biological tissue includes a battery unit, and a soluble microneedle in contact with the battery unit, in which the soluble microneedle contains an active ingredient, and a battery reaction is started by inserting the soluble microneedle into the biological tissue.