Thermosensitive Hydrogel Sustained Antigen Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vaccines often require multiple booster shots due to the lack of durability in the immune response, especially against pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, which can mutate quickly, leading to reduced vaccine effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A vaccine delivery platform comprising nanoparticles conjugated with antigens and adjuvants, embedded in a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel, which provides a controlled release of antigens, enhancing the immune response and reducing the need for frequent booster shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional vaccines are delivered as solution-based bolus, then the vaccine can be easily administered, but the immune response lacks durability and requires multiple booster shots
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine formulation incorporates a depot mechanism that pre-establishes sustained release capabilities, allowing the antigen to be released gradually over time without requiring multiple administrations. The hydrogel matrix is designed to maintain antigen availability in the injection site for extended periods, creating lasting immune response with a single injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation combining antigen, adjuvant, and hydrogel depot material. This composite structure allows the antigen to be retained in the injection site through the hydrogel matrix while maintaining controlled release, thereby extending the duration of action without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Speed
If multiple small doses are used to achieve slow delivery, then the release rate can be controlled, but the cost and convenience deteriorate due to multiple administrations
Solution Approach 1:
The depot formulation is pre-designed to provide controlled release kinetics in a single administration. The hydrogel matrix and antigen formulation are engineered to achieve the desired slow release rate without requiring multiple doses, thereby maintaining ease of operation and patient convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the vaccine formulation, specifically using hydrogel materials with controlled degradation rates and antigen formulations that enable sustained release. These parameter changes allow the vaccine to be released slowly over time from a single injection site, eliminating the need for multiple administrations.
3Reliability
If conventional bolus vaccination is used, then the administration is simple, but the vaccine effectiveness decreases against mutating pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The depot formulation pre-establishes a sustained antigen supply that maintains immune stimulation over an extended period. This preliminary action ensures continuous antigen availability to combat mutating pathogens, improving vaccine effectiveness without requiring repeated booster shots and reducing the time loss associated with multiple administrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel depot provides continuous antigen release over time, maintaining constant immune system engagement. This continuity of useful action ensures that the immune response remains effective against evolving pathogens without interruption, thereby improving reliability while eliminating the need for periodic booster shots.
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 platform significantly increases IgG, IgG1, and IgG2c antibody production, providing longer-lasting and more cross-reactive immune responses, thereby reducing the frequency of booster shots and addressing the challenge of mutating pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel that has been loaded or embedded with nanoparticles that comprise the antigen and the adjuvant
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides for a vaccine depot formulation that comprises a biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel that has been loaded or embedded with nanoparticles that comprise an antigen and adjuvant, and uses thereof for protecting a subject from an infection or disease.