PLGA Disc Microparticles for Sustained Lung Drug Accumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery systems for lung diseases, particularly lung cancer, face challenges in efficiently targeting and accumulating in lung tissues while minimizing side effects and ensuring sustained drug release.

Innovation Solution

A lung disease drug delivery carrier using biodegradable polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) disc particles, sized 1-5 μm, designed to accumulate in lung tissues, allowing for high drug load and controlled release, reducing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional drug delivery systems are used for lung diseases, then drug delivery to lung tissues is achieved, but intensive accumulation in lung disease sites is not realized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug accumulation in lung tissuesVSAvoidtargeting efficiency to lung disease sites

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the drug carrier by using disc-shaped particles with specific size range (1-5 μm) and aspect ratio, which enables intensive accumulation in lung disease sites through enhanced retention and reduced clearance compared to conventional spherical particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite formulation combining PLGA biodegradable polymer with specific surface modification agents to create disc-shaped particles that possess both sustained drug release capability and enhanced lung disease site targeting, achieving simultaneous improvement in drug accumulation and targeting efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If drug delivery carrier size is reduced to enhance lung tissue penetration, then drug delivery efficiency is improved, but drug load capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug delivery efficiency to lung tissuesVSAvoiddrug load capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the size parameter of the drug carrier to 1-5 μm diameter with controlled aspect ratio, which provides the optimal balance between sufficient lung tissue penetration capability and adequate drug load capacity, overcoming the trade-off between size reduction and drug loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If immediate-release drug formulations are used through lung delivery, then fast systemic circulation is achieved, but sustained drug release is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystemic circulation speedVSAvoiddrug release duration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates drug loading into disc-shaped PLGA particles before administration, where the particles are pre-prepared with controlled drug encapsulation and sustained release properties, enabling both fast lung delivery and prolonged drug release action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The use of PLGA biodegradable polymer in composite formulation provides sustained release capability while maintaining fast lung delivery, creating a dual-function system that achieves both immediate circulation and prolonged therapeutic action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The carrier achieves intensive accumulation in lung tissues, providing sustained drug release and improved bioavailability, reducing side effects, and effectively diagnosing or treating lung diseases like lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.

Implementation Method 1

the carrier delivers and/or releases the drug therein into the lung... achieves intensive accumulation in lung tissues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassive accumulation:

Implementation Method 2

the drug is not subjected to the first pass metabolism... speed of the systemic circulation of the drug is fast

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

microparticles for drug delivery using biodegradable polymers... safety in decomposition thereof into substances harmless to the human body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250387322A1Drug delivery agents for prevention or treatment of pulmonary disease

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 YONSEI UNIV WONJU IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND

AI summary

Provided is a lung disease drug delivery carrier. The lung disease drug delivery carrier includes a disc particle having a diameter of 2 μm to 4 μm. The disc particle is injected into the human body. The disc particle includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactide (PLA), polyglycolide (PG), polyphosphazene, polyiminocarbonate, polyphosphoester, polyanhydride, polyorthoester, and combinations thereof, polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA), and a drug. The disc particle is decomposed after 24 hours after being injected into the human body and delivers or releases the drug into a lung. The lung disease drug delivery carrier is accumulated in the lung, and the lung disease includes pulmonary fibrosis.