Polymer Retinal Implant With Solid-Gel Transition for Targeted Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for retinal diseases and retinopathies, such as subretinal and intravitreal injections, face limitations including invasive procedures, limited access, high immunogenicity, and inconsistent dosing, necessitating the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic approaches.
Innovation Solution
A polymer-based implant that transitions from a solid to a gel phase in an aqueous environment, allowing precise delivery of therapeutic agents like AAV vectors to specific retinal locations, with controlled dosing and reduced immunogenicity, while being adaptable to various retinal structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If subretinal injection is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the dose required is lower and immunogenicity is reduced, but the procedure is highly invasive and the area that can be accessed is extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the polymer material from solid to gel upon contact with aqueous environment (vitreous humor), enabling the material to be injected through a needle and then transform into a stable gel form at the target site, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining effective drug delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer material acts as an intermediary carrier that encapsulates the therapeutic agent, allowing controlled release at the target site while reducing direct contact between the high-dose therapeutic agent and the immune system, thus reducing immunogenicity
2Quantity of substance
If subretinal injection is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the dose required is lower, but the area that can be accessed is extremely limited and the procedure is quite invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the therapeutic delivery system into a polymer matrix that can be injected and then distributed within the target area, allowing coverage of a larger retinal surface area compared to traditional subretinal injection while maintaining low doses
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer undergoes a phase change from solid to gel upon hydration, enabling the material to expand and cover a larger area at the injection site, thereby increasing the accessible area while maintaining low therapeutic agent doses
3Ease of operation
If intravitreal injection is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then the procedure is noninvasive and a large area can be accessed, but a high dose is required which leads to high immunogenicity
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer material serves as an intermediary that localizes the therapeutic agent at the subretinal space, the optimal location for retinal therapy. This targeted delivery allows intravitreal injection (noninvasive) to achieve low local doses similar to subretinal injection, thereby reducing immunogenicity while maintaining ease of administration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local concentration of the therapeutic agent at the subretinal space through the polymer gel, achieving high local efficacy with low systemic exposure. This localized quality ensures that the therapeutic agent acts where needed while minimizing immune system exposure
4Adaptability or versatility
If intravitreal injection is used to deliver therapeutic agents, then a large area can be accessed, but a high dose is required and reflux out of the eye is common
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer material acts as a retention mechanism that traps the therapeutic agent at the injection site. The gel structure prevents reflux of the therapeutic agent out of the eye, ensuring complete and controlled dosing while maintaining the ability to access large areas through intravitreal injection
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer undergoes phase change from solid to gel upon contact with vitreous humor, creating a physical barrier that retains the therapeutic agent at the target site. This parameter change ensures complete dosing delivery without reflux, improving reliability while maintaining broad accessibility
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 polymer-based implant provides targeted delivery to retinal cells, reduces immune response, and ensures consistent therapeutic dosing, enhancing treatment efficacy for retinal diseases and retinopathies.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer component is capable of absorbing water such that the polymer component transitions from a gel phase to a liquid phase as a concentration of the polymer component in the polymer-based implant decreases
Implementation Method 2
the polymer component transitions from a solid to a gel phase in an aqueous environment
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a polymer-based implant and methods of making and using the same. The polymer-based implant comprises a polymer component and a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the polymer-based implant can be used to treat and/or prevent retinal diseases and/or retinopathies. The polymer-based implant exhibits physical properties that provide the ability to safely place the polymer-based implant in an ocular region without undesired diffusion and also to allow for controlled and timely release of the therapeutic agent to a desired region of the ocular region, such as the retina. In particular disclosed embodiments, the polymer-based implant can be used for safe and effective gene therapy.