Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer for Localized Heparin Lung Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for COVID-19 and viral lung diseases, such as parenteral administration of heparin, result in systemic effects and increased risk of hemorrhage, with limited local action on the lungs, and existing inhalation devices pose risks of contamination and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Administration of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) using soft mist inhalers or vibrating mesh technology (VMT) nebulizers for direct local delivery to the lungs, minimizing systemic effects and contamination risks while optimizing drug accumulation and bioavailability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parenteral administration of heparin is used, then anticoagulant effect is achieved, but systemic side effects and hemorrhage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from systemic parenteral administration to localized inhalation delivery of heparin. The drug is delivered directly to the lungs via aerosol or nebulized formulations, creating a localized high concentration at the target site while minimizing systemic distribution. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining anticoagulant efficacy in the lungs without the widespread systemic exposure that causes hemorrhage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the administration route from systemic (parenteral) to localized (inhalation). By dividing the delivery system into aerosolized or nebulized particles that target specific lung regions, the treatment achieves localized anticoagulant effect while reducing overall systemic exposure. This segmentation allows the drug to act where needed without causing widespread harmful effects.
2Ease of operation
If conventional inhalation devices are used, then local delivery to lungs is achieved, but contamination risk and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable single-use inhalation devices or single-dose vials containing heparin formulations. Each device is used once and then discarded, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between patients and ensuring sterility. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of local delivery while eliminating contamination risks associated with reusable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heparin from bulk storage and prepares it as a single-use aerosolized or nebulized formulation. By taking the drug out of the bulk container and delivering it through a single-use system, the patent eliminates the contamination pathway that would exist with repeated access to bulk storage, while maintaining the ease of inhalation delivery.
3Reliability
If parenteral heparin administration is used, then anticoagulant effect is achieved, but local action on lungs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical injection system (parenteral administration) with an aerosol or nebulized delivery system. This substitution allows the drug to be delivered as fine particles or droplets that can be inhaled and deposited directly in the lungs, dramatically increasing local drug accumulation compared to systemic circulation. The anticoagulant effect is maintained while local concentration is enhanced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional systemic circulation (parenteral route) to three-dimensional aerosol distribution in the lung parenchyma. By delivering the drug as an aerosol cloud that distributes throughout the lung tissue, the patent achieves vastly superior local accumulation compared to systemic administration, where the drug must diffuse from blood vessels to reach lung tissue.
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
Enhances local treatment efficacy in COVID-19 and viral lung diseases by achieving high bioavailability and reducing side effects, with improved lung localization and reduced infection risk for healthcare personnel, while preventing environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
administration of heparin or its derivatives, especially low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for use in the treatment of especially COVID-19, viral lung diseases, acute and/or chronic lung diseases by means of soft mist inhaler or vibrating mesh technology (VMT) nebulizer through inhalation route
Implementation Method 2
administration of heparin or its derivatives, especially low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for use in the treatment of especially COVID-19, viral lung diseases, acute and/or chronic lung diseases by means of soft mist inhaler or vibrating mesh technology (VMT) nebulizer through inhalation route
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the administration of heparin or its derivatives, which are anticoagulant, especially low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the treatment of especially COVID-19, viral lung diseases, acute and/or chronic lung diseases by means of soft mist inhaler or vibrating mesh technology (VMT) nebulizer through inhalation route. In the present invention, heparin and its derivatives may be administered by means of the passive vibrating mesh nebulizer or active vibrating mesh nebulizer. Anticoagulant heparin or its derivatives reach the lungs efficiently and quickly, and local pulmonary administration is performed such that it provides an effective treatment. Since the drug is targeted directly to the lungs without getting into systemic circulation via local (direct) administration, its concentration is higher at the application region, thereby reducing the side effects and costs per application of the drug, and increasing its efficacy. The pulmonary route is an optimal route of administration for drugs that are poorly absorbed or quickly metabolized through the oral route.