Microporation Triptan Patch for Migraine Drug Delivery Through Skin

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transdermal delivery methods for triptans are limited by the stratum corneum barrier, leading to inefficient drug delivery and skin irritation, with existing microporation technologies causing adverse reactions.

Innovation Solution

A transdermal patch system with a middle layer containing a triptan, skin irritation reducer, and stabilizer, combined with a microporation apparatus to create micropores, providing a stable and irritation-reduced delivery method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional transdermal delivery is used, then the stratum corneum barrier is maintained, but drug delivery efficiency is poor and skin irritation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug delivery efficiencyVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patch applies a microporation agent to the skin surface before the triptan is delivered, pre-treating the stratum corneum to create micropores that enhance drug penetration. This preliminary action reduces the barrier function of the stratum corneum, allowing the triptan to be delivered more efficiently while reducing skin irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The microporation agent acts as an intermediary substance that temporarily modifies the stratum corneum barrier. It creates micropores in the skin layer, serving as a bridge that allows the triptan to penetrate the skin more effectively without causing direct irritation from the triptan itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If microporation technology is used to enhance delivery, then drug penetration improves, but adverse reactions and skin irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug penetrationVSAvoidadverse reactions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the parameters of microporation by adjusting the concentration and composition of the microporation agent, the duration of application, and the characteristics of the delivered triptan. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves effective drug penetration while minimizing adverse skin reactions and irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the stratum corneum barrier is compromised to improve delivery, then triptan penetration increases, but skin irritation and adverse effects worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriptan penetrationVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The microporation agent is designed as a temporary, disposable component that is applied only during the drug delivery process and then removed or absorbed. This short-living agent creates the necessary micropores for triptan penetration and then ceases to be present, minimizing prolonged skin irritation and adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enhances triptan delivery through the skin with reduced irritation and adverse reactions, offering a convenient and effective treatment for migraines.

Implementation Method 1

thermal ablation of the stratum corneum under each filament to create the microchannels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal ablation: Ablation

Implementation Method 2

These aqueous channels enable water-soluble drugs to flow from a transdermal patch, enter the viable epidermis and then the systemic circulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3989970B1Triptan microporation delivery system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 PASSPORT TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3989970B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3989970B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3989970B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transdermal delivery system for delivery of a triptan into a tissue membrane of a subject. The system includes a transdermal microporation apparatus for heating a skin surface and a triptan drug delivery patch. The drug delivery patch comprises a top layer comprising an adhesive, a middle layer comprising the triptan, and a bottom layer. A method for treating a subject comprises identifying a subject having a migraine, using the transdermal microporation apparatus to open a plurality of micropores in the skin of the subject, and applying the triptan drug delivery patch to the subject's skin over the micropores for a period of time effective to deliver the triptan through the micropores in an amount effective to treat the subject's migraine.