Nanoconduits via High-Aspect-Ratio Microstructures for Transdermal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transdermal drug delivery methods are limited by the outer skin barrier, stratum corneum, which restricts the transport of both small and large molecules, and lack innovative solutions for non-invasive delivery of biological products beyond traditional hypodermic needle injections.
Innovation Solution
Combining nanocarriers with nanoporation methods using high-aspect-ratio microstructures to generate nanoconduits in the skin, allowing for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents, vaccines, and cosmetic substances by creating a prepared skin area with microdevices that generate nanoconduits for enhanced permeation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional transdermal systems are used, then delivery of small drugs is achieved, but delivery of large molecules and biological products is limited due to the stratum corneum barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the skin barrier function by creating discrete nanoconduits through the stratum corneum using high-aspect-ratio microstructures. These microstructures penetrate the skin barrier to form multiple small channels, enabling large molecules and biological products to pass through the segmented barrier rather than attempting to cross the intact barrier as a whole.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-aspect-ratio microstructures serve as intermediary elements between the external environment and the skin barrier. These microstructures temporarily disrupt the barrier to create nanoconduits, facilitating the transport of large molecules without requiring the molecules to directly interact with or overcome the intact stratum corneum barrier.
2Productivity
If the stratum corneum barrier is intact, then skin protection is maintained, but transdermal transport of drugs is slow and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-creating nanoconduits in the stratum corneum before drug application. The high-aspect-ratio microstructures are applied to the skin surface to form the transport channels in advance, allowing subsequent drug formulations to rapidly utilize these pre-established pathways for enhanced transdermal delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a temporary porous structure in the stratum corneum through the formation of nanoconduits. These nanoscale pores are generated by the penetration and dissolution or removal of the high-aspect-ratio microstructures, transforming the intact skin barrier into a temporarily porous medium that allows rapid passage of therapeutic agents.
3Reliability
If hypodermic needle injections are used for biological products, then delivery effectiveness is high, but invasiveness and patient compliance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical needle penetration system with a non-invasive or minimally invasive approach using high-aspect-ratio microstructures that create nanoconduits through the skin barrier. Instead of using sharp needles to physically puncture and inject, the system uses microstructures that dissolve or are removed after creating transport channels, eliminating the need for invasive injection mechanics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the delivery system by using microstructures with dimensions in the high-aspect-ratio range (length much greater than width). These microstructures are designed to penetrate or interact with the skin at a microscopic scale, creating nanoscale conduits that are insufficiently invasive to cause significant discomfort or damage while still achieving effective drug delivery.
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
Enables effective, controlled delivery of both small and large molecules across the skin barrier, improving bioavailability and reducing the dependency on molecular weight, with enhanced permeation rates and controlled release of agents.
Implementation Method 1
nanoporation methods using high-aspect-ratio microstructures to generate nanoconduits in the skin
Implementation Method 2
allowing for the transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents, vaccines, and cosmetic substances by creating a prepared skin area with microdevices that generate nanoconduits for enhanced permeation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present subject matter provides methods of making and using nanoconduits for transdermal delivery of active agents. The present subject matter provides high-aspect- ratio microstructures (HARMS) and methods of using the same to generate nanoconduits.