Thermoplastic Elastomer Drug Release Device for Mucosal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a limited number of effective drug release products available for animals, particularly for mucosal drug delivery, which hampers the synchronized estrus cycles and artificial insemination in cattle, leading to inefficiencies in breeding and calving seasons.
Innovation Solution
A drug release device utilizing a Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) polymer formulation, specifically polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-block-polystyrene (SEBS), impregnated with drugs, designed to contact mucosal membranes and release drugs effectively, allowing for prolonged therapeutic effects without the need for rate controlling barriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drug delivery systems are used for mucosal delivery in animals, then drug delivery is possible, but the number of effective products is limited and therapeutic effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional polymers to Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) with specific properties (hardness 20-90 Shore A, melt point 80-250°C) to achieve improved drug release characteristics and therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material construction with TPE polymer as the base material and incorporates drugs (such as progesterone) within the matrix, creating a composite system that provides both structural integrity and controlled drug delivery functionality
2Duration of action of moving object
If drug release devices are designed for prolonged release, then therapeutic duration is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rate controlling barrier component from the device structure, relying instead on the intrinsic properties of the TPE polymer matrix to control drug release rates, thereby simplifying the overall device design while maintaining prolonged release capability
Solution Approach 2:
The TPE polymer matrix provides self-regulating drug release properties through its inherent material characteristics, eliminating the need for additional complex rate-controlling mechanisms and enabling prolonged therapeutic effect with simpler device architecture
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 device provides a therapeutically effective release of drugs, such as progesterone, maintaining plasma concentrations above 2 ng/mL for at least 7 days, enhancing estrus synchronization and artificial insemination processes by ensuring optimal drug delivery to animals.
Implementation Method 1
a device with a drug delivery component made of a specific Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) polymer formulation impregnated with the one or more drugs, provides an improved device that is capable of releasing one or more drugs in an amount that is able to provide a therapeutic effect
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Disclosed is a drug release device and uses of such a device. The device comprises a drug release component and a support. The drug release component comprises one or more thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) polymers and one or more drugs wherein at least one of the TPE polymers is a styrenic TPE block co-polymer (TPE-S). The drug release component is impregnated with the one or more drugs and is moulded to the support.