Microparticle Transdermal Delivery Through Biological Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transdermal drug delivery face challenges such as degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, liver elimination, and low permeability of skin, limiting the effectiveness of bioactive compounds, especially for large molecules, and are often invasive, painful, and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method using biocompatible microparticles that penetrate the skin's biological barrier under applied force, creating pathways for efficient delivery of bioactive compounds, including pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and vaccines, without the need for fixed arrays or complex applicators, allowing for larger and irregularly shaped surface area coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hypodermic needles are used for drug delivery, then drugs can be delivered through the skin, but the procedure causes pain, local damage, bleeding, and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single needle function into multiple microneedles arranged in an array, where each microneedle is sufficiently small to minimize pain and tissue damage while collectively providing effective drug delivery through the skin barrier
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-point needle injection to a two-dimensional array of microneedles, increasing the surface area of contact and distribution while reducing the depth and trauma of each individual penetration point
2Device complexity
If transdermal patches are used for drug delivery, then the delivery system is simple and non-invasive, but they are not effective for delivering large molecules that cannot diffuse across the stratum corneum
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedles physically pre-pierce the stratum corneum barrier before drug delivery, creating pathways that enable subsequent diffusion of large molecules that would otherwise be blocked by the intact skin barrier
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedles act as an intermediary mechanism between the transdermal patch and the skin barrier, combining the simplicity of patch application with the enhanced permeability of needle penetration to enable large molecule delivery
3Reliability
If microneedle arrays are used for transdermal delivery, then delivery of large molecules is enabled, but the devices require supporting structures and applicators that increase complexity and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex supporting structures and applicators from conventional microneedle arrays, retaining only the essential microneedle elements that can be directly applied to the skin without additional mechanical support systems
4Reliability
If conventional needle techniques are used, then drug delivery is effective, but the procedure requires administration by trained personnel and is unsuitable for long-term controlled delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle array device is designed for self-application by the patient without requiring trained medical personnel, enabling autonomous, repeated use for long-term controlled drug delivery at home or in non-clinical settings
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
This approach enhances the permeability of the skin, enabling effective delivery of both small and large molecules across the skin, reducing pain and complexity, and allowing for prolonged, controlled release of bioactive compounds, with minimal adverse reactions.
Implementation Method 1
applying a force to a plurality of microparticles on a surface of the barrier so that at least some of the microparticles penetrate the biological barrier
Implementation Method 2
Once across the SC, substances are then able to cross the viable epidermis and diffuse into the papillary dermis where they can enter the capillaries and be absorbed into the systemic circulation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for delivering a compound through a biological barrier including applying a force to a plurality of microparticles on a surface of the barrier so that at least some of the microparticles penetrate the biological barrier to facilitate delivery of the compound therethrough.