Transdermal Patch for Neuropathic Pain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for neuropathic pain, such as TENS and acupuncture, have limitations in effectiveness and safety, while medications often come with side effects and high costs, necessitating a novel composition for effective and cost-effective pain management.

Innovation Solution

A composition consisting of eleutheroside-C, pinitol, and sugars derived from Trigonella species, obtained through a process involving chromatographic extraction and ion exchange, for use in treating neuropathic pain or managing neuropathy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TENS therapy is used to relieve neuropathic pain, then pain relief is achieved, but effectiveness is reduced on areas of numb skin and skin irritation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disposable transdermal patch that delivers a single dose of active ingredients (capsaicin, lidocaine, and alpha-lipoic acid) and is then discarded. This eliminates the need for repeated application and reduces cumulative skin irritation while maintaining effective pain relief through controlled release of multiple active compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patch combines multiple active ingredients (capsaicin, lidocaine, and alpha-lipoic acid) in a single formulation to address neuropathic pain through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, improving overall effectiveness while reducing the need for multiple separate applications that could cause cumulative skin irritation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If acupuncture is used to reduce neuropathic pain symptoms, then pain relief is achieved, but risk of infection and complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical needle insertion method of acupuncture with a non-invasive transdermal patch delivery system. This eliminates all risks associated with needle insertion (infection, organ rupture, improper insertion) while maintaining pain relief effectiveness through pharmacological action of the active ingredients delivered directly to the affected area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional medications are used to treat neuropathic pain, then pain relief is achieved, but side effects and high costs occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delivers active ingredients locally to the affected area through a transdermal patch, concentrating the therapeutic effect at the site of neuropathic pain while minimizing systemic absorption. This local delivery approach reduces side effects compared to oral medications that distribute throughout the body, while maintaining effective pain relief at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If conventional medications are used to treat neuropathic pain, then pain relief is achieved, but treatment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain relief effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disposable patch with a limited supply of active ingredients designed for short-term use (typically 3-5 days per patch). This approach reduces overall treatment cost compared to long-term prescription medications by using simpler, generic active ingredients (capsaicin, lidocaine, alpha-lipoic acid) that are less expensive than specialized neuropathic pain medications, while maintaining effective symptom management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 composition demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing neuropathic pain symptoms, as evidenced by improved motor nerve conduction velocity and reduced sensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli in animal models, with potential for effective management of conditions like sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Implementation Method 1

contacting sample of Trigonella species with a solvent in a chromatographic column, followed by draining the solvent to obtain de-lipidized solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChromatography: Chromatography

Implementation Method 2

exposing the first extract to ion exchange column, followed by passing the extract through an adsorbent column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon Exchange: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP2981259B1A composition for treating neuropathy, a process and a method of treatment thereof

Publication Date: 2021.06.09 INDUS BIOTECH PVT

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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a composition comprising eleutheroside-C, pinitol and sugars optionally along with pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or a combination thereof; a process of obtaining said composition from fenugreek seeds, a method of treating neuropathic pain or managing neuropathy, and the use of the said composition in treating neuropathic pain or managing neuropathy.