In Situ Drug Microparticle Formation via Oscillating Needle Injection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sustained drug delivery through biodegradable microspheres are costly and prone to bacterial contamination due to high surface area and require factory-based manufacturing, lacking in situ delivery capabilities during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

Development of a method using an oscillating needle to deliver drug-bearing microparticles encapsulated in biodegradable polymers, which can be synthesized and injected in situ, allowing for precise control over drug dosage and visualization during injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If biodegradable microspheres are used for sustained drug delivery, then drug delivery duration is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and bacterial contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the patient or practitioner to prepare and administer the drug delivery system at the point of care without requiring external factory manufacturing. The liquid composition is converted to solid microparticles in situ through body heat or environmental conditions, eliminating the need for complex factory-based microsphere fabrication processes while maintaining sustained drug delivery functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If biodegradable microspheres are used for sustained drug delivery, then drug delivery duration is improved, but susceptibility to bacterial contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the vulnerability to bacterial contamination by removing the factory manufacturing step where high surface area microspheres are exposed to environmental contaminants. Instead, the liquid composition is administered and converted to solid particles in situ within the sterile body environment, where the patient's own immune system provides protection against contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional approach is inverted: instead of manufacturing solid microspheres and then administering them, the system administers a liquid composition that converts to solid particles after administration. This reversal places the phase change step after the sterile barrier of the skin is crossed, eliminating contamination risks associated with handling and storing solid microspheres.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If factory-based microsphere manufacturing is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different surgical procedures decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves adaptability through parameter changes: the liquid composition can be formulated with different polymers, drugs, and physical properties to suit various surgical procedures and delivery sites. The phase transition temperature and viscosity can be adjusted to control where and how the particles form, allowing customization for different applications while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 precise, cost-effective, and contamination-reduced sustained drug delivery directly in the body, reducing unwanted side effects and facilitating local, controlled release of medications like pain management and cosmetic treatments.

Implementation Method 1

injecting the neat liquid solution into the tissue at an oscillation rate of 10 to 12000 oscillations per minute

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOscillation: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

providing a method of forming an implant in the tissue by injecting an injectable liquid composition having a neat liquid carrier, wherein the neat liquid carrier is substantially liquid at room temperature and/or about body temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS11911352B2Compositions, methods and devices for forming implants from injected liquids

Publication Date: 2024.02.27

AI summary

A method of forming an implant in tissue can include: providing a polymer solution having an effective amount of polymer dissolved in a biocompatible, water-soluble organic solvent; injecting a plurality of droplets of the polymer solution in the tissue; fusing the injected droplets together; dissipating the biocompatible, water-soluble organic solvent in the tissue; and precipitating the polymer from the injected polymer solution so as to form the implant.