Particle Delivery System Using Segmented Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering particles into biological tissue, such as advanced gene therapies, face challenges in penetrating cells due to the lack of sufficient momentum of lighter functional materials coated on dense carrier particles, which limits their depth of penetration and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a conduit system with a propellant source to propel heavier, denser particles to create micropores in biological tissue, followed by lighter functional particles to enhance penetration and delivery, incorporating focusing mechanisms for precise particle alignment and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lighter functional material particles are used to deliver therapeutic substances, then the active payload is improved, but the momentum and depth of penetration into biological tissue deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into two distinct particle types: heavy inert particles for creating micropores and light functional particles for delivering therapeutic substances. This segmentation allows each particle type to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Heavy inert particles act as intermediaries that first create micropores in the tissue, enabling subsequent penetration of lighter functional particles. The heavy particles serve as a mediator that facilitates the delivery of the lighter therapeutic particles.
2Quantity of substance
If dense carrier particles are used to carry functional material, then the active payload is improved, but the ability to penetrate biological tissue deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the functions of carrying functional material and penetrating tissue into two different particle types. Dense carrier particles are used only for carrying functional material, while lighter particles are used for penetration, eliminating the contradiction between payload capacity and penetration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Lighter particles serve as intermediaries that penetrate the tissue barrier first, creating pathways through which the dense carrier particles with functional material can subsequently be delivered to the target.
3Speed
If particles are accelerated to high speed for deep penetration, then the depth of penetration is improved, but the precision and control of delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers particles with different properties to different locations: heavy inert particles are delivered at high speed to create micropores at the tissue interface, while lighter functional particles are delivered with controlled velocity to precise locations within the created pores, achieving both penetration depth and delivery precision.
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 allows for more efficient and precise delivery of functional materials to target cells by creating temporary porosity in the tissue, enabling deeper penetration and higher doses of therapeutic or cosmetic substances.
Implementation Method 1
a propellant source configured to release a propellant into the conduit... The propellant source and the conduit are configured to propel the particles in a collimated stream toward the biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
the focusing mechanism can be configured to provide aerodynamic focusing using a sheath fluid
Implementation Method 3
The first particles are configured to penetrate the biological tissue to create micropores that increase porosity of the biological tissue
Implementation Method 4
the particle delivery device is further configured to provide at least one of electrostatic and magnetic particle acceleration
Implementation Method 5
the particle delivery device is further configured to provide at least one of electrostatic and magnetic particle acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivery of particles into biological tissue includes at least one conduit and a propellant source configured to release a propellant into the conduit. A source of first particles is configured to release first particles into the conduit. A source of second particles is configured to release second particles into the conduit. The second particles comprise a functional material intended to interact with the biological tissue and having a density less than a density of the first particles. The propellant source and the conduit are configured to propel the particles in a collimated stream toward the biological tissue. The first particles are configured to penetrate the biological tissue to create micropores that increase porosity of the biological tissue and the second particles configured to enter the porous biological tissue.