Transdermal CBD Delivery for DEE Seizures and Behavioral Symptoms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, such as Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes, fail to address behavioral problems and are associated with unwanted side effects like somnolence and sedation, while oral CBD delivery can degrade into psychoactive THC and cause gastrointestinal issues.

Innovation Solution

Transdermal administration of cannabidiol (CBD) to treat behavioral problems and seizures in subjects with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, using formulations like gels, creams, or patches to avoid first-pass metabolism and gastrointestinal adverse events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oral CBD delivery is used to treat seizures, then seizure frequency is reduced, but gastrointestinal adverse events and psychoactive effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseizure treatment efficacyVSAvoidgastrointestinal adverse events and psychoactive effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transdermal delivery system as an intermediary between CBD and the body's internal systems. The gel formulation applied to the skin serves as a mediator that enables CBD absorption through the dermal layer, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and liver metabolism that cause harmful effects, while still delivering the therapeutic compound to treat seizures effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the oral ingestion route (mechanical swallowing and gastrointestinal processing) with a transdermal absorption route. By substituting the digestive system's mechanical and chemical processing with direct dermal penetration, the treatment avoids gastric acid degradation and first-pass metabolism that lead to psychoactive THC formation and gastrointestinal adverse events

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If oral CBD is administered to treat behavioral problems, then behavioral symptoms improve, but somnolence and sedation occur which counteract benefits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebehavioral problem treatment efficacyVSAvoidsomnolence and sedation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transdermal gel acts as an intermediary delivery system that provides controlled, steady-state absorption of CBD through the skin. This intermediary route bypasses the rapid peak concentrations achieved through oral administration, delivering CBD more gradually to the bloodstream and brain, thereby improving behavioral symptoms while minimizing the intensity and duration of sedative side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If oral CBD is used to treat epilepsy, then seizure control is achieved, but CBD degrades into psychoactive THC in gastric acid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveepilepsy treatment efficacyVSAvoidCBD degradation into THC

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the oral ingestion pathway with a transdermal absorption pathway. By applying the CBD-containing gel to the skin, the compound is absorbed directly through the dermal layer into the bloodstream, completely avoiding exposure to gastric acid and the enzymatic environment of the gastrointestinal tract that catalyze the conversion of CBD to psychoactive THC

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts CBD from the gastrointestinal environment and delivers it directly through the skin. By removing CBD from the digestive system entirely and using an alternative transdermal route, the degradation process that converts therapeutic CBD into psychoactive THC is eliminated, preserving the therapeutic compound's integrity and intended effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Reduces the intensity and frequency of adverse events, improves behavioral symptoms, and significantly decreases seizure frequency, with responders showing at least a 50% reduction in seizures within 30 days.

Implementation Method 1

transdermally administering an effective amount of cannabidiol (CBD) to the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransdermal absorption: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

using formulations like gels, creams, or patches to avoid first-pass metabolism and gastrointestinal adverse events

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAvoidance of first-pass metabolism:

Data Source

PatentUS20260076984A1Treatment of behavioral impairment in developmental and epileptic encephalopathy

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 HARMONY BIOSCIENCES MANAGEMENT INC

AI summary

The present technology relates to methods of treating behavioral problems and seizures in a subject having developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) by transdermally administering an effective amount of cannabidiol (CBD) to the subject wherein behavioral problems are treated in the subject.