Otic Antiviral Formulation via Tympanic Membrane Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapeutic options for treating upper respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, are limited and often require hospitalization, with a need for safe and effective therapeutics that can target the site of infection effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of an otic application that includes an antiviral agent, such as hemin or remdesivir, combined with oils like Jojoba or eucalyptus, to facilitate transport to the upper respiratory system through the ear, allowing for direct delivery and diffusion across the tympanic membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional therapeutic options are used to treat upper respiratory infections, then treatment coverage is provided, but the treatments require hospitalization and have limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the ear canal and tympanic membrane as an intermediary pathway to deliver antiviral agents directly to the upper respiratory system. The otic application serves as a mediator that transports the therapeutic agent through the intact tympanic membrane into the middle ear space, from which it can access the upper respiratory tract, thereby avoiding the need for hospitalization while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables self-administered treatment through otic drops that can be applied at home. The formulation is designed to automatically diffuse through the tympanic membrane and deliver the antiviral agent to the target site without requiring medical professional intervention or hospitalization, making the treatment accessible and easy to administer
2Reliability
If antiviral agents are administered systemically, then broad coverage is achieved, but the drugs cannot effectively target the upper respiratory system without causing systemic side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent delivers the antiviral agent locally to the upper respiratory system through the ear pathway, creating a high concentration of the drug at the target site while maintaining low or zero systemic exposure. This localized delivery through the otic application ensures the therapeutic effect is concentrated where needed, minimizing harmful systemic side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The tympanic membrane serves as an intermediary structure that allows selective transport of the antiviral agent from the ear canal to the middle ear and subsequently to the upper respiratory system. This intermediary pathway enables targeted delivery without requiring systemic circulation, thereby avoiding systemic side effects while achieving effective concentrations at the infection site
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
This approach effectively delivers antiviral agents to the primary sites of upper respiratory infections, reducing viral replication and associated symptoms, and has shown broad utility against various SARS-CoV-2 variants, including XBB and XBB1.5.
Implementation Method 1
the otic application is configured to diffuse through an intact tympanic membrane of the subject from the ear and deliver the antiviral agent to the upper respiratory system
Data Source
AI summary
An otic application for treatment of an upper respiratory infection of an upper respiratory system of a human or animal subject, the otic application including an antiviral agent to inhibit viral replication or infection, and at least one oil to facilitate transport of the antiviral agent to the upper respiratory system of the subject, such that the otic application is configured for use within an ear of the subject for treating the upper respiratory infection within the subject, and such that the otic application is configured to diffuse through an intact tympanic membrane of the subject from the ear and deliver the antiviral agent to the upper respiratory system of the subject, thereby treating the upper respiratory infection.