Portable Transdermal Drug Delivery Device with Segmented Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems face challenges in controlling the temporal profile of medication release, leading to inefficiencies and side effects due to the lack of synchronization with biological rhythms and circadian patterns, and they often require invasive methods or complex dosing regimens that reduce patient compliance.
Innovation Solution
A portable transdermal drug delivery device with a reusable control unit and a detachable disposable portion, featuring a micropump and a heating element, allows for programmable and automated delivery of drugs through a patch or membrane, enabling synchronized dosing with biological rhythms and allowing for precise control over drug release and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a patch-based transdermal delivery system is used for continuous drug administration, then patient comfort and portability are improved, but control over the temporal profile of medication release becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable control unit and a detachable disposable portion. The disposable portion contains the drug reservoir and patch, while the reusable unit contains the micropump and control circuitry. This segmentation allows the control system to be refined and reused while the consumable parts are discarded, improving control capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The micropump system automatically controls drug delivery timing and dosage without requiring active patient participation. The programmable control circuitry autonomously manages the temporal profile of medication release, eliminating the need for patient intervention while maintaining comfort.
2Measurement precision
If invasive needle injection or intravenous drip is used for drug delivery, then precise control over dosing is achieved, but patient comfort and liberty of action are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invasive mechanical needle injection system is replaced with a transdermal patch-based system. The micropump delivers drug through the patch at precisely controlled rates, achieving dosing precision without mechanical invasion of the skin through needles or catheters.
3Measurement precision
If a programmable micropump system is implemented for automated drug delivery, then dosing precision and synchronization with biological rhythms are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex programmable control system is isolated in a reusable unit that can be manufactured with high precision and then paired with simple disposable portions. This allows the complex functionality to be refined without increasing the complexity of the consumable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable control unit with micropump can work with multiple different disposable portions containing different drugs. This multi-functionality justifies the investment in complex control electronics by allowing it to serve multiple purposes across different treatment regimens.
4Reliability
If continuous drug administration is provided, then therapeutic effectiveness is maintained, but skin irritation and drug tolerance develop
Solution Approach 1:
The micropump system is programmed to deliver drug in periodic pulses rather than continuous flow. This allows intervals between dosing where the skin can rest, preventing irritation and tolerance while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through strategically timed delivery.
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 enhances drug efficacy by synchronizing delivery with circadian rhythms, reducing side effects, improving patient compliance, and minimizing drug amounts needed, while providing a non-invasive and convenient method for timed and measured dosing.
Implementation Method 1
a micropump or other actuator that serves as a dispensing mechanism and has an active portion provided with the reusable portion of the device and a passive portion provided with the detachable and disposable portion of the device so as to move the drug formulation from the drug reservoir onto or into the patch or membrane
Implementation Method 2
A programmable heating element may also be utilized to automatically heat the skin at precise times or intervals to assist in permeation
Implementation Method 3
allows for programmable and automated delivery of drugs through a patch or membrane, enabling synchronized dosing with biological rhythms
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transdermal drug delivery and administration of differing dosages at specific times of the day automatically pursuant to a pre-programmed dosage profile. The device includes a control and display unit, a two-part dispensing mechanism, a drug reservoir, an administration element, and a solvent removal element. The dispensing mechanism may be a peristaltic pump having an active portion with a motor, a roller, a mounting plate and a detachable passive portion with tubing and a housing. The motor and roller are mounted in the reusable portion of the delivery device with the control unit and a power source. The speed of the micromotor is controlled by the control unit, so that the turning speed of the roller is controlled which, in turn, controls the flow rate to the administration. The passive portion and drug reservoir are detachable along with the administration element for attaching a new dosing reservoir.