Thermal Stimulation for Insulin Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subcutaneous injection devices are ineffective in quickly matching blood glucose levels after meals due to delays in insulin absorption and variability in insulin peak action, leading to hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic events.
Innovation Solution
A device with a treatment element that applies thermal stimulation or other forms of vasodilation, such as heating the tissue adjacent to the injection site, to improve insulin absorption and reduce variability, while ensuring the insulin remains within a safe temperature range to prevent degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional subcutaneous injection devices are used for insulin delivery, then the injection process is simple, but the absorption of insulin is delayed and shows large variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal stimulation (temperature parameter change) to the injection site to modify the pharmacokinetic profile of insulin. By heating the tissue to controlled temperatures (e.g., 40-45°C), the absorption rate of insulin is accelerated and the variability in peak action is reduced, directly addressing the speed and reliability contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic or pulsed thermal stimulation rather than continuous heating. The treatment element applies thermal energy in controlled intervals or pulses to the injection site, which enhances insulin absorption while preventing excessive heat exposure that could degrade the insulin or cause tissue damage
2Speed
If thermal stimulation is applied to improve insulin absorption, then the pharmacokinetic profile is improved, but the risk of heating the insulin above safe temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment element is positioned to apply thermal stimulation locally to the tissue surrounding the injection site rather than heating the insulin solution itself. This localized heating approach creates a temperature gradient where the tissue is warmed to enhance absorption while the insulin remains at safe temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue acts as an intermediary medium between the thermal stimulation source and the insulin. The heat is applied to the tissue which then facilitates enhanced absorption of the insulin without directly heating the insulin solution, preventing degradation while maintaining improved pharmacokinetics
3Productivity
If the treatment element is integrated with the injection device, then the system provides combined injection and thermal stimulation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the treatment element directly with the injection device, merging the insulin delivery function with the thermal stimulation function into a single unified device. This combination allows simultaneous or sequential administration of insulin and thermal stimulation, improving overall drug delivery effectiveness while maintaining a compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The injection device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an insulin delivery system and as a thermal stimulation apparatus. The treatment element can be configured to provide heating, cooling, or other therapeutic modalities, making the device versatile and reducing the need for separate treatment devices
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 solution enhances the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of insulin, leading to more rapid and uniform absorption, reducing the risk of glycemic events and improving glucose level management.
Implementation Method 1
The treatment element can be configured to apply a treatment to a tissue region adjacent to the injection site. The treatment may include but is not limited to, exposing the tissue region to an energy, radiation, heat, mechanical vibrations, suction, massaging, acoustic stimulation, electrical stimulation
Implementation Method 2
The treatment can be utilized to improve drug delivery process by improving the drug's pharmacokinetic ('PK') and/or pharmacodynamic ('PD') profile... leading to an improved vasodilatation of the tissue being injected
Data Source
AI summary
A therapeutic treatment device, system and method for improving administration of a temperature sensitive drug into a tissue on the body of a patient at a drug injection site are disclosed. The device includes a treatment element with a controllable heating element in temperature communicative contact with the tissue adjacent to the drug injection site. The controllable heating element is configured to heat the tissue adjacent to the drug injection site to a controllable temperature but does not heat the injected drug above a predetermined limiting temperature, above which degradation of the injected drug may occur.