Transdermal Patch Dosing With Solvent Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoking cessation and medicinal drug delivery systems are inconvenient, socially awkward, act too slowly, and are not readily available when needed, leading to inadequate effectiveness in helping individuals quit smoking and managing nicotine addiction.
Innovation Solution
A two-part bioactive agent delivery system comprising a disposable part with a transdermal patch and a reusable part with control electronics, utilizing a solvent removal element to control the delivery of bioactive agents through a gas permeable membrane, allowing solvent evaporation and creating a flow path for ambient air, enabling programmable and controlled delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional medicinal drugs are administered frequently to maintain therapeutic effect, then the desired therapeutic effect is maintained, but the user experiences tolerance and increased side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers the bioactive agent in controlled periodic bursts through the transdermal patch, providing therapeutic effect only when needed rather than continuous exposure. The microprocessor controls the pump to deliver precise doses at intervals, avoiding constant drug presence that causes tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delivery parameters by controlling the rate, timing, and amount of drug administration. The microprocessor adjusts dosing parameters dynamically based on user needs, delivering variable doses rather than fixed frequent dosing, thereby maintaining efficacy while reducing tolerance development.
2Reliability
If multiple doses of drug are administered over time, then the desired therapeutic effect is achieved, but the convenience and social acceptability of the user decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple dosing functions into a single transdermal patch device that can deliver multiple doses over time. The reusable pump unit can be refilled and reused with different disposable patches, merging the functions of multiple single-dose applications into one convenient system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic dosing control through the microprocessor and pump mechanism, eliminating the need for users to manually time and administer multiple doses. The device self-regulates the delivery timing and amount, making the process convenient and socially acceptable.
3Speed
If the drug is delivered rapidly to provide immediate effect, then the desired effect is achieved quickly, but the user experiences harsh withdrawal symptoms and addiction challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic burst delivery rather than continuous or rapid sustained delivery. The microprocessor controls the pump to deliver the bioactive agent in controlled intervals, providing effect when needed while avoiding the harsh effects of rapid continuous administration that triggers withdrawal and addiction.
4Ease of operation
If a disposable transdermal patch system is used, then the ease of operation and social acceptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separable components: a reusable pump unit and disposable transdermal patches. This segmentation allows the complex electronic control system to be contained in a reusable unit while the disposable patches remain simple to apply and remove, maintaining ease of operation while managing complexity through modular design.
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 convenient, programmable, and controlled delivery of bioactive agents, minimizing the risk of overdose and effectively managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms by delivering multiple doses at optimal times, promoting smoking cessation and therapeutic effects.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the solvent to evaporate and flow from the transdermal membrane through a gas permeable membrane and along the flow path to ambient air around the delivery system
Implementation Method 2
a transdermal patch communicating with the agent reservoir and adapted to transdermally deliver the bioactive agent to a user
Data Source
AI summary
A two-part bioactive agent delivery system includes a disposable part, a reusable part, and a solvent removal element. The disposable part includes an agent reservoir, a transdermal patch communicating with the agent reservoir and adapted to transdermally deliver the bioactive agent to a user. The transdermal patch has a bottom surface adapted to contact skin of the user, a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a gas permeable membrane disposed over the top surface of the transdermal patch. The reusable part includes a power source and control electronics that are adapted to deliver bioactive agent dissolved in a solvent from the agent reservoir to the transdermal patch. The solvent removal element includes a gap disposed between the disposable part and the reusable part to create a flow path for gaseous solvent to flow from the gas permeable membrane to ambient air around the bioactive agent delivery system.