Medicinal Solution for Continuous Ocular Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for corneal conditions like keratoconus and other ocular diseases are labor-intensive, uncomfortable for patients, and require frequent medical intervention due to intermittent delivery of medications, which increases costs and discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A new medicinal solution combining ocular medications with anesthetics, such as proparacaine or lidocaine, is delivered continuously using a sponge and scleral contact lens system, allowing for prolonged retention and reduced need for medical intervention, enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If intermittent delivery of topical anesthetic solutions is used, then patient comfort is maintained during procedures, but the treatment process becomes labor-intensive and expensive requiring frequent medical intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidtreatment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the therapeutic medication (riboflavin) with the topical anesthetic (proparacaine) into a single unified solution. This merging eliminates the need for separate application of anesthetic before each treatment step, reducing the frequency of medical intervention while maintaining patient comfort throughout the continuous treatment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combined solution enables continuous delivery of both therapeutic and anesthetic effects throughout the treatment procedure. The medication is delivered continuously over the treatment period (5-45 minutes) without interruption for re-application of anesthetic, maintaining both therapeutic efficacy and patient comfort continuously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If epithelium removal is performed to enhance riboflavin absorption, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but corneal protection and safety are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidcorneal vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the solution by combining riboflavin with proparacaine anesthetic. This parameter change allows the solution to simultaneously achieve effective corneal penetration and absorption enhancement while the anesthetic component provides protective effects and reduces patient discomfort, eliminating the need for epithelium removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple separate medications are applied intermittently, then specific treatment targets are addressed, but treatment time and medical intervention frequency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment target accuracyVSAvoidtreatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple medication functions into a single combined solution containing riboflavin (for corneal crosslinking) and proparacaine (for anesthesia and comfort). This single combined application replaces multiple separate intermittent applications, reducing total treatment time and medical intervention frequency while maintaining reliability of treatment effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combined solution exhibits multi-functionality by simultaneously providing therapeutic riboflavin delivery, topical anesthesia, and patient comfort. This universal solution addresses multiple treatment requirements in one application, eliminating the need for sequential application of separate medications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides continuous and comfortable delivery of medications, reducing the need for frequent medical intervention and maintaining effective medication levels on the eye, thereby improving treatment outcomes and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The medicinal solution is formulated with an anesthetic, such as proparacaine or lidocaine, in a concentration that will provide comfort to the patient's eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTopical anesthesia:

Implementation Method 2

Riboflavin is a topical medication that is conventionally used for the purposes of corneal saturation in connection with corneal collagen crosslinking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorneal saturation through absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

photosensitizing of the human cornea with ultraviolet-A rays in the presence of oxygen order to strengthen the cornea

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosensitizing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS10231968B2Medicinal solution to be continuously or pulse-delivered to the eye for treating ophthalmological conditions/maladies

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 HARDTEN DAVID R

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to a medicinal solution, and more particularly to a medicinal solution which is to be continuously or pulse-delivered for the purpose of treating various ocular diseases, conditions, or maladies, such as keratoconus, infectious keratitis, severe inflammatory conditions, and ocular surface neoplasia. In particular, the medicinal solution comprises the combination of a medication for treating one of the aforenoted or similar diseases, conditions, or maladies, and an anesthetic for rendering the patient comfortable during the treatment procedure.