Variable Interval Transdermal Hormone Patch Regimen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hormone delivery methods for contraception, such as oral administration, often result in inconvenient dosing regimens and side effects like breakthrough bleeding, which can be mitigated by improving the flexibility and efficacy of hormone delivery.
Innovation Solution
A transdermal hormone delivery method involving variable treatment and rest intervals using consecutive applications of progestin and estrogen patches, allowing for flexible duration of treatment and rest periods, with the option to use low-dose hormone patches during rest intervals to minimize side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed dosing regimens are used for transdermal hormone delivery, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to individual user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic dosing regimens where treatment intervals and rest intervals can be varied in length. The system allows users to adjust the duration of treatment periods and rest periods individually, transforming a static fixed-dose system into a flexible dynamic system that adapts to user needs while maintaining operational simplicity through structured guidance.
2Reliability
If extended treatment intervals are used, then contraceptive effectiveness is improved, but the duration of continuous hormone exposure increases which may worsen side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by implementing defined treatment intervals followed by rest intervals. This creates a cyclical pattern of hormone administration that maintains contraceptive effectiveness during treatment periods while providing regular breaks that reduce cumulative hormone exposure and minimize side effects like breakthrough bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows parameter changes by enabling variable lengths for both treatment intervals and rest intervals. Users can adjust the duration parameters to optimize between contraceptive reliability and side effect minimization, with the ability to extend treatment intervals for effectiveness while controlling rest interval lengths to manage hormone exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complete hormone cessation during rest intervals is implemented, then withdrawal symptoms are reduced, but contraceptive protection may be compromised at interval boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing rest intervals that provide partial hormone cessation rather than complete interruption. The low-dose hormones administered during rest intervals are sufficient to attenuate withdrawal symptoms and maintain contraceptive protection at interval boundaries, while being low enough to reduce withdrawal effects compared to full-dose continuous administration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable dosing regimens are implemented, then adaptability and user control are improved, but device complexity and dosing regimen complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the dosing regimen into distinct treatment intervals and rest intervals. Each interval type has its own characteristics and duration parameters, allowing the complex variable dosing regimen to be broken down into manageable segments that are easier to understand and implement while maintaining overall flexibility.
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
This approach provides a flexible and effective contraceptive method that reduces the risk of pregnancy while minimizing side effects by allowing users to adjust treatment and rest intervals and using low-dose hormone patches to attenuate withdrawal symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
transdermally administering an effective amount of a progestin and, of an estrogen
Implementation Method 2
a skin permeation enhancer combination for use therein
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2
AI summary
Dosing regimen for transdermal delivery of hormones comprising a variable treatment cycle and a variable rest interval.