Titanium Reservoir Implant for Stable Peptide Extended Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable drug delivery systems face challenges in maintaining the stability of hydrophilic therapeutic agents like peptides and proteins, as they are prone to degradation in aqueous environments and exhibit uncontrolled release due to mismatched dimensions between the therapeutic agents and their stabilizers.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a nanoporous membrane and a reservoir containing a pharmaceutical composition with a stability enhancing agent, such as biodegradable polymers, antioxidants, or anti-microbial agents, to provide extended release and stability through an erodible process, maintaining a compatible microenvironment for the therapeutic agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If therapeutic agents are maintained in solution to enable diffusion through the membrane, then release of the therapeutic agent is enabled, but the therapeutic agent becomes prone to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the therapeutic agent from dissolved to solid form, and modifies the membrane properties to enable solid-to-liquid transition at the membrane interface. This allows the agent to remain stable in solid form in the reservoir while enabling controlled release through the membrane without requiring the agent to be in solution throughout the entire system.
2Manufacturing precision
If nanotube dimensions are matched to therapeutic agent molecular dimensions to control release, then release control is improved, but stabilizer molecules with smaller dimensions are released overly rapidly and uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional properties to different components: the nanoporous membrane is engineered with specific pore dimensions optimized for the therapeutic agent's molecular size to control its release, while the stabilizer is formulated with different physical or chemical properties (such as larger molecular size, different solubility characteristics, or binding affinity) that enable it to be retained or released at a different rate, thus achieving differential release control for different substances within the same system.
3Reliability
If therapeutic agents are kept in solid form for stability, then degradation is prevented, but release through the membrane is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the therapeutic agent from solid to dissolved form at the membrane interface by modifying membrane properties (such as incorporating solubilizing agents, changing membrane porosity or hydrophilicity), enabling the solid agent to transition to a dissolved state locally at the release site without requiring the entire reservoir content to be in solution, thus maintaining stability while enabling release.
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 configuration ensures long-term stability and controlled release of therapeutic agents, preventing degradation and maintaining therapeutic efficacy for extended periods, typically over several months.
Implementation Method 1
Extended release of therapeutic agents through nanotube-based membranes may be controlled by matching the dimensions of the nanotubes to the molecular dimensions of the therapeutic agent
Implementation Method 2
The stabilizer is incorporated in a sustained release carrier... wherein the stabilizer is incorporated in a sustained release matrix, a sustained release microcapsule or microparticle
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure pertains to implantable medical devices for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents. Some devices according to the disclosure have a titanium reservoir, and a porous titanium oxide based membrane to control the rate of release of the therapeutic agent. The reservoir contains a formulation of the active agent, including a stabilizer for the active agent, wherein the stabilizer is provided in an extended-release configuration or a sustained release carrier.