Dissolvable Microneedle Patch for Immune Stimulant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transdermal drug delivery methods, including microneedles, are ineffective for administering large immunogenic proteins and peptides due to the skin's barrier properties, and existing treatments for skin conditions like viral warts are painful, ineffective, and burdensome, with limited precision and sustained release capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dissolvable microneedle patch comprising microneedles of varying lengths with a biodegradable polymer and immune-stimulating therapeutics, allowing for precise and sustained delivery of immune stimulants directly into the skin, bypassing the skin's barrier and enabling controlled immune stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transdermal delivery methods are used, then the skin barrier protects underlying tissues, but large immunogenic proteins and peptides cannot reach clinically meaningful concentrations within the epidermis and dermis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and size parameters of the drug delivery system by using microneedles with lengths ranging from 100-1000 micrometers to physically penetrate the stratum corneum barrier, enabling large immunogenic proteins and peptides to reach therapeutic concentrations in the epidermis and dermis while maintaining skin barrier integrity through controlled micro-penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the skin barrier penetration function into discrete microneedle units that create controlled micro-channels, allowing selective transport of large immunogenic molecules while preserving the overall skin barrier structure and function
2Quantity of substance
If chemical penetration enhancers are added to topical formulations, then transdermal delivery is facilitated, but the preparations become greasy and cosmetically unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical penetration enhancement mechanisms with a mechanical delivery system (microneedles) that physically transports drugs through the skin barrier, eliminating the need for chemical enhancers and their associated cosmetic drawbacks while maintaining effective transdermal delivery
3Quantity of substance
If iontophoresis or cavitation ultrasound is used to augment transdermal drug delivery, then drug penetration is improved, but cumbersome equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex electrical (iontophoresis) or acoustic (cavitation ultrasound) mechanical systems with a simple mechanical microneedle insertion mechanism, achieving effective drug penetration through direct physical transport without requiring sophisticated equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle patches are designed as disposable, single-use devices that eliminate the need for complex, expensive, and reusable equipment while providing effective drug delivery through straightforward mechanical insertion
4Adaptability or versatility
If microneedles deliver immune suppressors or chemotherapeutic agents, then skin conditions can be treated, but immune stimulants for creating local immune response cannot be delivered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal microneedle delivery platform that can accommodate various drug classes including immune stimulants, expanding the versatility of microneedle technology beyond immune suppressors and chemotherapeutic agents to include vaccines and immunomodulators for treating skin diseases
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 microneedle patch provides painless, precise, and sustained delivery of immune stimulants, effectively treating skin conditions like viral warts with improved efficacy and reduced treatment burden, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by facilitating targeted and prolonged immune response.
Implementation Method 1
comprising microneedles of at least two different lengths; and a removable substrate; wherein the plurality of microneedles are attached to the removable substrate; wherein the plurality of microneedles comprise a tapered tip that extends away from the removal substrate; wherein the plurality of microneedles comprise a biodegradable polymer and a therapeutically active ingredient dispersed in the biodegradable polymer
Implementation Method 2
Microneedles create micron sized pathways or channels in the skin that allow for drugs to be directly delivered to the desired depth within the epidermis and/or dermis where they can enact their desired function
Data Source
AI summary
The application provides a dissolvable microneedle device to deliver immune stimulants to the skin. The application also provides a method of treating a skin condition comprising applying a dissolvable microneedle device to the skin.