Hydrophilic Sustained-Release Material for Bladder Cavity Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for Superficial Bladder Cancer and other internal cavity diseases face challenges in maintaining effective drug concentration and duration due to the bladder's natural movements and mucosal membrane properties, leading to limited efficacy and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophilic biocompatible sustained-release material comprising Pluronic F-127 and Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) is developed, forming a hydrogel that can be injected into internal body cavities, providing a continuous, controlled release of therapeutic agents while adhering to mucosal tissue without damaging it, and degrading naturally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional topical treatments are applied to internal cavities, then the treatment can be administered easily, but the drug concentration is rapidly reduced due to natural cavity movements and mucosal membrane properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of administrationVSAvoidduration of drug concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment material is applied to the mucosal surface before the natural flushing action occurs, allowing it to adhere and form a protective layer that releases drug over time. The material is prepared and positioned in advance to counteract the subsequent natural movements and fluid flow that would otherwise rapidly wash away conventional treatments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite material system comprising a biocompatible polymer matrix combined with therapeutic agents. This composite structure provides both the adhesive properties needed to withstand natural cavity movements and the controlled release characteristics needed to maintain drug concentration over extended periods, resolving the contradiction between ease of administration and duration of action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If higher drug concentrations are used to improve therapeutic effect, then treatment efficacy increases, but toxic side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidtoxic side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temporal parameter of drug delivery by implementing controlled release kinetics. Instead of administering a single high concentration dose that causes toxicity, the system maintains a sustained, optimized concentration range over time. This parameter change from acute high concentration to sustained moderate concentration achieves therapeutic effect while avoiding toxic side effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment material provides continuous drug release over an extended period, maintaining therapeutic drug concentrations consistently at the target site. This continuous action ensures reliable therapeutic effect without the need for repeated high-dose administrations that would accumulate toxic effects, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the treatment material adheres strongly to mucosal tissue to remain in place, then duration of action increases, but the mucosal membrane may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention time of treatment materialVSAvoidtissue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment material exhibits local quality differentiation where the adhesive component provides strong binding to mucosal tissue for retention, while the biocompatible polymer matrix ensures gentle, non-damaging interaction with the tissue. This spatial and functional differentiation allows the material to adhere sufficiently for extended duration without causing harm to the delicate mucosal membrane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful strong adhesion that could damage tissue into a beneficial controlled release mechanism. The adhesive properties are harnessed to maintain material position and sustained drug release, while the biocompatible nature of the polymer ensures that even strong adhesion does not result in tissue damage, effectively transforming the potential harm into therapeutic benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 solution enhances the therapeutic effect by maintaining higher drug concentrations for longer durations, reducing recurrence rates of cancer and minimizing systemic side effects, while also providing mechanical support and pain relief during minimally invasive surgeries.

Implementation Method 1

adhering to mucosal tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

degrading naturally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

hydrophilic biocompatible sustained-release material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2525777B1Material and method for treating internal cavities
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 UROGEN PHARMA LTD
  • EP2525777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2525777B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2525777B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A hydrophilic biocompatible sustained-release material is disclosed. The material comprises amounts of Pluronic F-127, PEG-400, HPMC and water, effective to produce a composition of sufficiently low viscosity at room temperature to be injectable into an internal body cavity via a tube inserted within a urinary catheter. At body temperature, the material exhibits a much higher viscosity and will stably adhere to the internal surface of a body cavity. As the material dissolves, a therapeutic agent incorporated therein is slowly released to the body cavity, while the material itself is excreted from the body.