Transdermal Nicotine Delivery System with Pressurized Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smoking cessation products are inadequate in delivering nicotine effectively, as they are inconvenient, may cause social awkwardness, require careful dosing, act too slowly, and are not readily available when needed, leading to ineffective nicotine addiction management.
Innovation Solution
A two-part bioactive agent delivery system comprising a disposable part with an agent reservoir and a reusable part, including a valve driver, power source, and control electronics, which pressurizes the agent reservoir to deliver bioactive agents transdermally through a transdermal patch, allowing controlled and efficient nicotine delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional smoking cessation products are used, then nicotine delivery is attempted, but they are inconvenient, cause social awkwardness, require careful dosing, act too slowly, and are not readily available when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical delivery systems (patches, gums, inhalers) with an electronic controlled transdermal delivery system that uses a pump mechanism to precisely control nicotine flow rates, eliminating the need for careful manual dosing while ensuring reliable and immediate nicotine delivery when activated
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of nicotine delivery parameters including flow rate, duration, and timing through electronic control, allowing the device to adapt to user needs in real-time and provide immediate relief when cravings occur, unlike static traditional products
2Reliability
If multiple doses of medicinal drugs are taken over time to provide desired therapeutic effect, then the therapeutic effect is achieved, but tolerance develops and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user response and delivery parameters, allowing automatic adjustment of dosing to maintain therapeutic effectiveness while minimizing tolerance development and side effects through optimized delivery patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of drug delivery including controlling particle size, dissolution rate, and transdermal penetration rate to enhance therapeutic effect while reducing the total dose required and minimizing side effects
3Speed
If a pressurized delivery system is used to enable rapid nicotine delivery, then immediate effect is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pressurized reservoir system with controlled fluid dynamics to rapidly deliver nicotine through the skin, using pressure-controlled flow mechanisms that enable immediate effect while managing complexity through engineered fluid pathways and pressure regulation
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 system provides a safe, efficient, and convenient method for delivering nicotine, minimizing side effects and overdose risks, while effectively managing nicotine cravings and aiding in smoking cessation.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (or other source of stored mechanical energy) extending between the agent reservoir piston and a surface of the reusable part or of the disposable part to pressurize the agent reservoir when the spring is compressed
Implementation Method 2
delivering a drug or other bioactive agent transdermally
Data Source
AI summary
A two-part bioactive agent delivery system, the system including a disposable part comprising an agent reservoir, a bolus chamber, the volume of the bolus chamber being less than the volume of the agent reservoir, an agent outlet, and a valve having a first position communicating the agent reservoir with the bolus chamber and a second position communicating the bolus chamber with the outlet; and a reusable part including a valve driver, a power source and control electronics, the control electronics being adapted to control the valve driver to actuate the valve to deliver bioactive agent from the agent reservoir to the agent outlet; the system further having a spring extending between the agent reservoir piston and a surface of the reusable part or of the disposable part to pressurize the agent reservoir when the spring is compressed and the agent reservoir contains a quantity of bioactive agent.