Thermosensitive Oral Hydrogel for Sustained Drug Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral care agents, such as toothpastes and mouthwashes, face challenges in delivering therapeutic agents effectively to the periodontal cavity due to rapid dilution by saliva and difficulty in maintaining adhesiveness, leading to short residence times and inadequate sustained release of active ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A liquid thermosensitive hydrogel composition comprising a polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polypropylene glycol (PPG) triblock copolymer, polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate polymer, and high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which transitions from a free-flowing liquid to a high-viscosity gel upon exposure to oral temperature or mucin, enabling sustained release of active agents and enhanced mucoadhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional oral care agents (toothpastes and mouthwashes) are used, then they can be easily administered, but they are rapidly diluted by saliva and have short residence times
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the composition from liquid to thermosensitive gel that transitions at oral temperature. The composition is administered as a liquid at room temperature for ease of delivery, then transforms into a gel state at 37°C to extend residence time and enable sustained release of therapeutic agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition utilizes thermally-induced phase transition between liquid and gel states. The liquid-to-gel transition occurs when the composition reaches oral temperature (37°C), providing a mechanism to extend residence time while maintaining ease of administration in the liquid state.
2Ease of operation
If conventional oral care agents are used, then they can be easily applied, but they have difficulty maintaining adhesiveness to oral tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the rheological parameter of the composition from low-viscosity liquid to high-viscosity gel through temperature-induced transformation. This provides both ease of application in liquid form and enhanced adhesiveness in gel form to oral tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition is a composite system combining thermosensitive gel-forming polymers with therapeutic agents. The gel matrix provides adhesiveness to oral tissues while entrapping and releasing therapeutic agents, creating a multi-functional material that addresses both application ease and tissue adhesion.
3Ease of operation
If conventional oral care agents are used, then they can be easily delivered, but they fail to provide sustained release of active ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-to-gel phase transition serves as a release mechanism where therapeutic agents are delivered in the liquid state and then released in a sustained manner from the gel matrix, extending the duration of action while maintaining ease of delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite gel system combines gel-forming polymers with therapeutic agents, where the gel matrix acts as a reservoir that controls the release rate of active ingredients, providing sustained release while maintaining ease of delivery in liquid form.
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 hydrogel composition provides a controlled and sustained release of therapeutic agents, enhances adhesion to oral tissues, and forms a barrier against bacteria, promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation, while maintaining ease of administration through a syringe for precise delivery to periodontal pockets.
Implementation Method 1
which transitions from a free-flowing liquid to a high-viscosity gel upon exposure to oral temperature or mucin
Implementation Method 2
enhances adhesion to oral tissues
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to oral hydrogel compositions, more particularly to thermosensitive gel compositions, which undergo a sol-gel transition in the oral cavity, and which optionally comprise therapeutic actives for sustained release.