Thermo-responsive Liquid Delivery Composition for Controlled Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a delivery vehicle that can target active substances to specific sites in the body, maintain them for prolonged periods, and provide controlled release, especially for in-situ delivery systems, while ensuring biocompatibility and minimizing systemic side effects.

Innovation Solution

A liquid composition comprising a combination of thermo-responsive and ion-sensitive polymers, optionally with bio-adhesive polymers, which transitions from a liquid to a gel state at body temperature, enhancing adhesion and controlled release of active substances at the target site.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a delivery vehicle is designed to provide prolonged residence time and controlled release, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidence timeVSAvoiddelivery vehicle complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite delivery vehicle comprising multiple polymers (thermo-responsive polymer, ion-sensitive polymer, and bio-adhesive polymer) combined with hydrocolloid and hydrogel components. This composite structure enables prolonged residence time and controlled release through synergistic mechanisms: the thermo-responsive polymer provides temperature-triggered gelation for sustained localization, the ion-sensitive polymer responds to physiological ions for enhanced retention, and the bio-adhesive polymer ensures attachment to target tissues. This multi-component composite approach achieves the desired prolonged action without requiring complex external control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery vehicle utilizes parameter changes in response to physiological conditions to achieve controlled release. The thermo-responsive polymer undergoes phase transition from sol to gel state upon encountering body temperature, while the ion-sensitive polymer modifies its properties in response to physiological ion concentrations. These automatic parameter changes enable the system to adapt to the target environment and provide prolonged residence time without external intervention, thereby reducing the need for complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If site-specific delivery is achieved through in-situ gelation, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesite-specific deliveryVSAvoidformulation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery vehicle is designed to be self-activating upon contact with physiological conditions at the target site. The thermo-responsive polymer automatically undergoes gelation when exposed to body temperature, and the ion-sensitive polymer automatically responds to physiological ion concentrations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manufacturing precision controls, as the system activates autonomously in the target environment without requiring precise control during manufacturing or administration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes automatic parameter changes triggered by physiological conditions to achieve site-specific delivery. The phase transition of the thermo-responsive polymer and the ion-responsive behavior of the ion-sensitive polymer occur automatically when the delivery vehicle reaches the target site, providing reliable site-specific delivery without demanding high manufacturing precision. The formulation only needs to be stable during storage and administration, while the activation occurs naturally in the physiological environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If frequency of administrations is reduced through prolonged release, then patient compliance is improved, but loss of time for dosing intervals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient complianceVSAvoiddosing interval
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery vehicle provides continuous and sustained release of the active substance through the synergistic action of its multi-component formulation. The thermo-responsive polymer maintains gelation state for prolonged periods, the ion-sensitive polymer continuously responds to physiological ions, and the bio-adhesive polymer ensures ongoing attachment to target tissues. This continuous action eliminates the need for frequent dosing intervals, improving patient compliance by reducing the frequency of administrations while maintaining therapeutic levels throughout the extended duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 composition ensures prolonged residence time and controlled release of active substances at the target site, reducing the frequency of administrations and minimizing systemic side effects, thereby improving patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

A liquid composition comprising a combination of thermo-responsive and ion-sensitive polymers, optionally with bio-adhesive polymers, which transitions from a liquid to a gel state at body temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermo-responsive gelation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

A liquid composition comprising a combination of thermo-responsive and ion-sensitive polymers, optionally with bio-adhesive polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon-sensitive gelation:

Data Source

PatentEP4574173A1Liquid delivery composition
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 COSMO TECHNOLOGIES LTD
  • EP4574173A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4574173A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4574173A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention provides a composition for use as a delivery vehicle comprising at least one thermoresponsive polymer (polymer A) and at least one ion-sensitive polymer (polymer B) in a liquid formulation. Polymer A is preferably a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer or a cellulose derivative. Polymer B a polysaccharide. The composition can include an active substance for delivery or can be used as a delivery vehicle for a substance added at the time of administration such as mesenchymal stem cells.