Polymer-Encapsulated Drug Coating for Balloon Stricture Treatment
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for strictures and stenoses, such as those induced by radiation or surgical procedures, are often ineffective and require repeated interventions due to high recurrence rates, and there is a need for improved devices and methods to manage these conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of polymer-encapsulated drug particles, which are applied as a coating on balloon catheters or stents, to deliver therapeutic agents directly to the site of strictures or stenoses, using a combination of polymers and optional ionic or zwitterionic additives to enhance delivery and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments for strictures and stenoses are used, then initial treatment can be performed, but high recurrence rates require repeated interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by coating the balloon catheter with polymer-encapsulated drug particles before the procedure. The drugs are pre-loaded and released during balloon inflation, preventing stricture recurrence before it occurs rather than requiring repeated treatments after recurrence happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuity of useful action through sustained drug release from the polymer particles. The drugs are released continuously over an extended period during and after balloon inflation, maintaining therapeutic presence to prevent stricture formation throughout the healing process rather than providing a single brief dose.
2Duration of action of moving object
If polymer-encapsulated drug particles are used, then sustained release of therapeutic agents is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible polymer capsules as thin shell structures to encapsulate the drug particles. These flexible polymer shells provide sustained release functionality while maintaining a simple overall device structure, as the coated balloon catheter remains fundamentally simple despite the added drug delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer encapsulation layers with therapeutic drug particles and coating them on the balloon catheter surface. This composite structure integrates multiple functions (drug storage, sustained release, and delivery) into a unified coating system that doesn't significantly complicate the base balloon device.
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 method provides sustained and targeted drug release, reducing recurrence of strictures and stenoses, thereby improving treatment efficacy and minimizing the need for repeated interventions.
Implementation Method 1
polymer-encapsulated drug particles that include a therapeutic agent and one or more polymers that encapsulate the therapeutic agent
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of polymers and ionic or zwitterionic additives to enhance delivery and efficacy
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed relate to polymer-encapsulated drug particles and a drug-releasing coating including the same, as well as drug-coated balloon catheters for treating, preventing, or reducing the recurrence of strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes the polymer-encapsulated drug particles; or a drug-releasing coating including the polymer-encapsulated drug particles; or a therapeutic agent and a first and/or second additive; or a combination thereof.