Screen-Printed Drug Delivery System with Layered Paste Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery systems struggle to provide controlled and precise release profiles for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), particularly for APIs with narrow therapeutic windows, leading to inefficiencies and potential toxic effects.

Innovation Solution

A method for producing a drug delivery system using screen-printing and curing techniques, where a base paste and a first paste, each containing API, are applied separately to achieve a controlled and tailored release profile. The arrangement of the pastes allows for precise control over the release rate and timing of the API.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a homogeneous mixture of API and excipients is used in conventional tablets, then the manufacturing process is simple and fast, but the release profile cannot be controlled precisely and may cause toxic effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease profile controlVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the homogeneous mixture into spatially separated paste layers containing different APIs and excipients. Each layer is screen-printed separately to create distinct regions with controlled composition, enabling independent dissolution rates and precise release profiles for multiple APIs without requiring complex mixing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different paste compositions to different spatial locations within the tablet structure. By screen-printing base paste and medicament-containing paste in specific patterns and ratios, each region achieves locally optimized dissolution characteristics, allowing precise control over API release timing and rate while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the API is released quickly to achieve therapeutic effect, then the efficacy is improved, but toxic effects increase due to excessive concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic efficacyVSAvoidtoxic effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the tablet to release APIs in periodic phases through sequential dissolution of different paste layers. The base paste dissolves first to provide initial API release, followed by controlled release from medicament-containing paste layers at different rates, creating a periodic release pattern that maintains therapeutic levels while avoiding toxic peaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses varying ratios of base paste to medicament-containing paste across different layers to modulate release rates. Some regions are designed with excess base paste to delay release, while others have higher medicament concentration for faster release, creating a balanced overall profile that achieves reliable therapy without toxicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Duration of action of moving object

If a constant release rate is maintained over prolonged period, then the therapeutic window is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease durationVSAvoidpaste arrangement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple paste layers with different dissolution characteristics into a single integrated tablet structure. The base paste and medicament-containing paste work together synergistically, with the base paste providing structural matrix and controlled porosity while the medicament paste provides sustained API release, achieving prolonged constant release without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite tablet structure combining hydrophilic base paste material with hydrophobic or differently cross-linked medicament-containing paste material. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different materials to achieve sustained release profiles through controlled water penetration and dissolution kinetics, reducing sensitivity to manufacturing variations.

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 method enables the production of drug delivery systems with optimized pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, allowing for controlled and precise release of APIs, reducing the risk of toxic effects and improving therapeutic efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

screen-printing a base paste; screen-printing a first paste separate to the base paste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScreen-printing:

Implementation Method 2

curing the base paste; curing the first paste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring:

Data Source

PatentUS12290604B2Method for producing a drug delivery system

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 LAXXON MEDICAL AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing a drug delivery system. The method comprises the steps of screen-printing a base paste, and curing the base paste. Furthermore, the method comprises the steps of screen-printing a first paste separate to the base paste, and curing the first paste.