Microneedle Vaccine Patch With Collapsible Reservoir Laminate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle novel pathogens, leading to challenges in vaccine distribution, PPE shortages, and psychological barriers that hinder effective contact tracing and medical facility visits, exacerbating public health crises.
Innovation Solution
A laminate medical agent delivery device with a collapsible reservoir and microneedles, featuring a manifold cavity and a weakened section, designed to deliver vaccines through a microneedle array, which can be filled with various vaccine types and administered manually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vaccine distribution systems are used, then medical infrastructure can deliver vaccines, but the systems are ill-equipped to handle novel pathogens and create logistical barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine delivery system is segmented into modular components: a flexible laminate structure with separate reservoir, microneedle array, and adhesive layers. This segmentation enables the system to be adapted to different vaccine types and delivery scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that overcomes logistical barriers in novel pathogen responses.
2Ease of operation
If PPE and testing are made readily available, then public health measures can be effective, but psychological barriers and misgivings about facility visits persist
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle patch enables self-administration of vaccines without requiring visits to medical facilities. Users can apply the patch themselves, overcoming psychological barriers associated with facility visits while maintaining ease of operation through simple peel-and-apply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vaccine is pre-loaded into the reservoir and the microneedles are pre-positioned in the laminate structure before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex administration procedures at the point of care, making the system both accessible and psychologically acceptable for self-use.
3Productivity
If microneedles are used for vaccine delivery, then efficient and accessible delivery is achieved, but the device requires precise manufacturing of the laminate structure
Solution Approach 1:
The laminate structure uses flexible thin films that can be manufactured using standard flexible printing and lamination techniques. The microneedles are integrated into this flexible substrate, allowing for scalable production while maintaining the precision needed for effective vaccine delivery through the thin film format.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple materials in a composite laminate structure: flexible substrate, adhesive layers, reservoir material, and microneedle materials. This composite approach allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while being manufactured together as an integrated unit, balancing productivity with manufacturing precision.
4Volume of moving object
If a collapsible reservoir is used in the laminate, then the device maintains a compact form factor, but the reservoir requires weakened sections for controlled rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is constructed as a flexible thin-film structure that can collapse as vaccine is delivered. Weakened sections are incorporated into this flexible membrane, allowing controlled rupture at predetermined locations. The flexible nature of the thin film enables compact volume while the weakened sections provide precise control points for vaccine release.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir structure incorporates localized parameter changes through weakened sections with altered thickness or material properties. These parameter changes create predictable rupture points that maintain the overall compact flexible form factor while enabling controlled vaccine delivery when the reservoir is pressurized or collapsed.
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
Facilitates efficient and accessible vaccine delivery, overcoming logistical and psychological barriers, ensuring broad vaccine distribution and reducing the burden on medical systems during pandemics.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic sheet may be in a stretched state and exert a bias force upon the contents of the reservoir when the reservoir is in a filled state
Data Source
AI summary
A medical agent delivery device may comprise a laminate of a number of layers coupled together. The device may further comprise a collapsible reservoir within the laminate. The device may further comprise a sharp bearing body having at least one microneedle. The device may further comprise a collar element attached to the sharp bearing body. The device may further comprise a removable cover assembly including a microneedle encasing body coupled to the sharp bearing body and to a release liner. The microneedle encasing body may be attached more weakly to the sharp bearing body than to the release liner.