Non-invasive Ocular Drug Delivery via Electric and Ultrasonic Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering drugs, peptides, and other molecules to biological tissues, such as the eye, often require invasive injection, which poses risks and requires skilled personnel, especially for sensitive areas like the eye, where complications like intraocular infection and retinal detachment are common.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system that uses an electric field to release molecules bound within a polymeric or ceramic material and an ultrasonic signal to transport them through the material for non-invasive delivery to biological tissues, utilizing a handheld device with a disposable applicator head and piezoelectric transducers to enhance permeability and control the depth of delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If injection is used to deliver drugs to biological tissues, then delivery effectiveness is improved, but safety and risk of complications worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery effectivenessVSAvoidsafety and risk of complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical injection system with a non-invasive electromagnetic system. Electric fields are applied to release molecules from the polymeric material, and ultrasonic fields are used to transport them through the material and into biological tissues, eliminating needles and injection-related complications while maintaining effective drug delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a polymeric or ceramic material as an intermediary carrier that stores molecules. This material acts as a reservoir that can be applied to the tissue surface, releasing and transporting drugs through electric and ultrasonic fields without direct injection into the tissue, thereby reducing safety risks while preserving delivery effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If injection is used to deliver drugs to sensitive areas, then therapeutic outcome is improved, but skill requirement and operational complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic outcomeVSAvoidskill requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical skill of needle injection is replaced with application of a handheld device that generates electric and ultrasonic fields. The device automatically releases and transports molecules through controlled field application, eliminating the need for specialized injection skills while achieving the same therapeutic outcome

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sterile conditions and patient care are implemented for injection, then safety is improved, but device complexity and patient care requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsterile conditions and patient care requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invasive injection system requiring sterile fields and complex patient care protocols is replaced with a non-invasive electromagnetic delivery system. The handheld device applies electric and ultrasonic fields through the skin surface, eliminating breach of sterile barriers and reducing patient care complexity while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable applicator heads that contact the patient, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures. Each applicator head is discarded after single use, simplifying infection control while maintaining safety standards without requiring elaborate sterile environments

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

Enables safe, painless, and precise delivery of drugs and nanoparticles to ocular tissues without injection, reducing the risk of complications and allowing for controlled release and depth of delivery, enhancing the therapeutic outcome while minimizing side effects.

Implementation Method 1

applying an electric field to a material to release molecules and/or particles substantially bound within said material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

applying an ultrasonic signal to said material to transport said molecules and/or particles through said material to a surface for delivery to an entity placed in contact with said surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic signal: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS10518073B2Delivery system and process

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 POLYPHARMA PTY LTD

AI summary

A delivery system, including: a material for storing molecules and/or nanoparticles by substantially binding said molecules and/or nanoparticles to said material; a means for applying an electric field to said material to release said molecules and/or nanoparticles; and a means for applying an ultrasonic signal to said material to transport said molecules and/or nanoparticles through said material to a surface for delivery to an entity.