Nose-to-brain drug delivery device with compressor-driven membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems face challenges in effectively delivering drugs to the brain due to the blood-brain barrier, and existing nasal drug delivery devices are difficult to use and inefficient in targeting the brain directly.
Innovation Solution
A nose-to-brain drug delivery device that stores a freeze-dried drug and uses a restoring solvent container with a membrane and a compressor to thaw and spray the drug directly into the nasal cavity, utilizing a compressor to mix the drug with the solvent and provide a controlled spray pressure of 6 psi to 20 psi, enhancing drug delivery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a freeze-dried drug is stored separately from the solvent to maintain drug stability, then drug preservation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for a membrane and separate containers
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate compartments: a freeze-dried drug container and a restoring solvent container, allowing the drug and solvent to be stored separately to maintain drug stability while preventing premature mixing
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the drug and solvent containers. This membrane prevents direct mixing during storage but can be opened when needed, enabling controlled interaction between the two substances
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the drug is stored in a freeze-dried state to extend shelf life, then duration of action is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the additional thawing step required
Solution Approach 1:
The drug is pre-prepared in a freeze-dried state during manufacturing, which extends its shelf life. The device includes a pre-designed mechanism (membrane opening system) that simplifies the reconstitution process when needed, balancing long-term storage stability with ease of use at administration time
3Reliability
If a membrane is used to separate the drug and solvent containers, then drug preservation is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the additional component
Solution Approach 1:
The internal structure is segmented into separate containers for drug and solvent, with the membrane acting as a dividing element. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing of components that can be assembled together, potentially simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the additional component
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 device effectively delivers drugs to the brain by overcoming the blood-brain barrier and ensuring precise targeting, with improved drug preservation and ease of use, including the ability to store and exchange drugs efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane is opened by the driving force of the compressor to mix the freeze-dried drug with the solvent, thereby thawing the freeze-dried drug
Implementation Method 2
the restoring solvent container may be formed of a flexible material and may be deformed by the driving force to increase an internal pressure of the restoring solvent container, and the membrane may be opened by the increased internal pressure
Implementation Method 3
the thawed drug is sprayed by the driving force of the compressor. The thawed drug is sprayed into a nose of a subject
Data Source
AI summary
A nose-to-brain drug delivery device is provided. The nose-to-brain drug delivery device includes a freeze-dried drug container for storing a freeze-dried drug, a restoring solvent container for storing a solvent for thawing the freeze-dried drug, a membrane for preventing the freeze-dried drug from being mixed with the solvent, and a compressor for providing a driving force. The membrane is opened by the driving force of the compressor to mix the freeze-dried drug with the solvent, thereby thawing the freeze-dried drug, and the thawed drug is sprayed by the driving force of the compressor.