Polymer Microneedles with Complementary Sequence for Sustained Aptamer Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering therapeutic agents to treat heart disease and skin conditions, such as coronary artery disease and hair loss, face challenges including invasive procedures, uneven distribution, and systemic side effects due to oral administration, as well as difficulties in penetrating dense tissues like the scalp.
Innovation Solution
The development of polymer microneedles with complementary sequence modified and aptamer-functionalized structures that allow for local delivery of therapeutic agents by forming covalent bonds with the polymer matrix, enabling sustained release of aptamers or proteins directly to the target site, overcoming issues of invasive procedures and systemic side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If intramyocardial injection is used to deliver therapeutic agents to the heart, then the therapeutic agents can be delivered directly to the target site, but the procedure becomes invasive and requires highly specialized equipment and operator skill
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the delivery system into microneedles (for penetration) and a delivery matrix (for sustained release), eliminating the need for complex injection equipment while maintaining effective therapeutic delivery to the heart tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle patch is designed to be self-applied by the patient without requiring specialized medical equipment or operator skill, with the microneedles automatically penetrating the skin and the matrix providing sustained therapeutic release
2Quantity of substance
If suturing an implant on the surface of the heart is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the therapeutic agents can be delivered to the target site, but the sutures can damage surrounding normal heart tissues and the procedure requires very high skill level and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into discrete microneedles that penetrate without sutures, eliminating tissue damage while maintaining effective therapeutic delivery to the heart surface
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle patch is a disposable device that is applied and then discarded, eliminating the need for complex suturing procedures and specialized surgical skills while providing effective therapeutic delivery
3Quantity of substance
If oral administration of pills is used to promote hair growth, then the therapeutic agents can be delivered systemically, but it takes too long for therapeutic effects and may cause systemic side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The microneedle patch delivers therapeutic agents locally to the scalp where hair loss occurs, providing rapid localized effect without systemic distribution and associated side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a localized copy of the therapeutic effect at the scalp rather than systemic distribution, achieving rapid hair growth promotion without the delays and side effects of oral administration
4Object-affected harmful factors
If VEGF is administered locally to the bald area to promote hair growth, then the therapeutic effect can be localized, but VEGF is a large biomolecule that cannot penetrate the dense scalp
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into microneedles that physically penetrate the dense scalp barrier, enabling local delivery of large biomolecules like VEGF that cannot penetrate intact skin
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedles act as an intermediary vehicle that carries large biomolecules through the dense scalp barrier to the target site, enabling localized therapeutic delivery without requiring the biomolecule to penetrate intact skin
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 provides a minimally invasive, targeted, and sustained release of therapeutic agents, improving treatment efficacy while minimizing systemic side effects and tissue damage, as demonstrated by successful delivery of VEGF for hair growth and potential applications in heart and skin treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a complementary sequence is chemically conjugated to the polymer matrix of the microneedles forming a covalent bond
Implementation Method 2
The aptamers may be sustainably released to the target site due to dissociation of the aptamer from the CS over time. The sustained release of the aptamers is due to the hybridization kinetics between the therapeutic aptamer and CS
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing therapeutic treatment by delivering therapeutic aptamers locally to a target site using microneedles includes providing complementary sequence modified microneedles by reacting a complementary sequence (CS) with a polymer thereby forming a covalent bond between the polymer and the CS, forming microneedle patches using an initial casting solution consisting of the polymer, the therapeutic aptamer, and a covalent bond between a complementary sequence (CS) and the polymer, thereby loading the therapeutic aptamer into the microneedles, each microneedle having a base, shaft and tip, physically binding the therapeutic aptamer to the CS, inserting the microneedles into the tissue such that the tips and shafts are embedded into the target site and the bases are on a surface of the target site, and sustained release of the aptamer to the target site due to dissociation of the aptamer from the CS over time.