Petal Microneedle Delivery Device for Controlled Agent Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical systems are ill-equipped to handle novel pathogens, leading to challenges in vaccine production, supply chain shortages, and psychological barriers that hinder effective contact tracing and medical facility visits, exacerbating public health crises.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device with a petal-bearing main body, guide tracks, and a trigger mechanism that uses microneedles for precise agent delivery, featuring a bias member and deformable spacers to facilitate controlled deployment of medical agents through a biological barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional vaccine production and distribution systems are used, then existing medical infrastructure can be leveraged, but the systems cannot quickly respond to novel pathogens and exceed current production capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device segments the vaccine distribution system into modular components: a reusable delivery device with microneedle array and a disposable reservoir containing the medical agent. This segmentation allows rapid production of simple reservoirs while the sophisticated delivery mechanism is manufactured once and reused, simultaneously increasing productivity and adaptability to different pathogens
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable reservoirs that contain the medical agent and are discarded after use. These reservoirs can be rapidly manufactured at low cost and distributed quickly to address novel pathogens, while the expensive delivery device is reused. This approach removes the bottleneck of producing sophisticated delivery systems for each new pathogen
2Ease of operation
If PPE and testing kits are made readily available, then supply chain limitations are addressed, but psychological barriers and misgivings about visiting medical facilities persist
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is designed for self-administration or administration by caregivers without requiring visits to medical facilities. The microneedle patch can be applied at home, eliminating the need for patients to travel to clinics or hospitals. This self-service capability directly addresses psychological barriers by allowing people to receive medical agents in the comfort of their own homes
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device acts as an intermediary between the medical agent and the patient, eliminating the need for direct contact with medical facilities. The device can be distributed through various channels (pharmacies, mail-order, community health workers) and then used independently at home, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between healthcare systems and patients while removing psychological barriers
3Quantity of substance
If contact tracing is expanded to address the scale of the pandemic, then more cases can be identified, but the undertaking becomes vastly more difficult due to existing challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable nature of the reservoirs and the simplicity of the delivery device enable mass distribution to large populations for contact tracing. The low cost and ease of deployment allow thousands of devices to be distributed simultaneously, dramatically increasing the quantity of people tested while keeping the system simple enough to manage at scale
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
Enhances the efficiency and reliability of medical agent delivery, overcoming supply chain limitations and psychological barriers, ensuring effective distribution of vaccines and treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a bias member intermediate the plunger and a wall at a second end of the rigid guide body. The bias member may exert a force compelling the plunger along the guide track when in a distorted state.
Implementation Method 2
The deformable spacer may transition to a deformed state upon displacement of the trigger body to the trigger position.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for delivery of agent to a biological barrier may comprise a petal bearing main body having a set of guides each having an upstream and downstream portion. The device may further comprise a reservoir including at least one delivery sharp. The device may further comprise a plunger having a set of plunger protrusions each disposed in a respective guide. The device may further comprise a first bias member urging the plunger toward a position in which the protrusions are at an end of the downstream portions. The device may further comprise a trigger body with a first and second set of barriers. The trigger body may be displaceable between a position in which the second barriers are stowed and the first barriers obstruct displacement of the protrusions and another position in which the first barriers are stowed and the second barriers obstruct travel of the protrusions.