Particle injector monitoring via optical modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery methods, particularly needle-based approaches, face challenges such as pain, needle phobia, and accidental needle sticks, and lack effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure successful drug particle delivery through the skin, which varies due to skin characteristics and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a delivery device, a spatial filter with mask features, a detector, and an analyzer that uses time-varying signals from modulated light to determine the success of drug particle delivery into biological tissue by analyzing characteristics like speed, size, and trajectory, allowing for iterative adjustment of delivery parameters for improved success rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If needle-based drug delivery methods are used, then drug delivery effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate due to pain, needle phobia, and accidental needle sticks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based injection system with a particle delivery system that propels drug-containing particles through the skin using acoustic or other non-mechanical means. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of needles while maintaining drug delivery effectiveness through the use of detectable particles that can be monitored as they traverse the skin barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces detectable particles as intermediaries to carry the drug through the skin. These particles serve as mediators between the drug and the target tissue, allowing for monitoring of delivery progress while eliminating the need for direct needle penetration. The particles can be tracked using optical detectors to confirm successful delivery.
2Reliability
If needle-based delivery methods are used, then drug delivery success is improved, but monitoring capability deteriorates due to lack of effective monitoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs particles with detectable optical properties that emit, reflect, or absorb light at specific wavelengths. As particles traverse the skin and reach the target tissue, their optical characteristics change or can be detected by wavelength-specific detectors, providing real-time information about delivery progress and success without compromising delivery effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback system where detectors monitor the position and status of drug particles during delivery. This monitoring provides information about delivery progress, allowing for real-time assessment of delivery success and potential adjustment of delivery parameters to optimize outcomes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If particle delivery methods are used, then patient comfort is improved, but delivery monitoring capability deteriorates without proper detection systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical monitoring systems with optical detection methods. By equipping particles with optical detectability features and using light-based detectors, the system achieves accurate particle tracking and delivery monitoring without the complexity of mechanical sensing systems, maintaining patient comfort while enabling effective monitoring.
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 monitoring and adjustment of drug delivery, enhancing the success rate of particle penetration into biological tissue and facilitating needle-free drug delivery methods by analyzing time-varying signals from particles moving through a spatial filter.
Implementation Method 1
The detector is positioned to detect light emanating from the particle along a detection region within the volume. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying signal in response to the detected light.
Implementation Method 2
The detected light is modulated according to the mask features as the particle moves along the detection region.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for determining the delivery success of a particle, such as a drug particle, are disclosed. A system for monitoring delivery of particles to biological tissue includes a volume, an optical component, a detector, and an analyzer. The volume comprises a space through which a particle can pass in a desired direction. The optical component is configured to provide a measurement light. The detector is positioned to detect light emanating from the particle in response to the measurement light. The detected light is modulated as the particle moves along a detection axis. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying signal in response to the detected light. The analyzer is configured to receive the time-varying signal and determine a delivery success of the particle into a biological tissue based upon characteristics of the time-varying signal.