Wireless Drug Delivery Patch Using Inductive Power and DEP Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drug delivery patches rely on passive diffusion, which is slow and inefficient, and the use of electrical wires for powering intraoral devices poses safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A wireless patch system using inductive coupling to power a drug delivery patch, employing DEP and AC electrokinetic convective vortices to transport drugs through skin, mucosa, and into teeth, eliminating the need for wire attachments and reducing systemic side-effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrical wires are used to power intraoral ACEK devices, then drug delivery efficacy is improved, but patient safety deteriorates due to potential electrical risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug delivery efficacyVSAvoidpatient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the electrical wire component from the system by implementing wireless inductive coupling for power transmission. The receiving coil and rectifier circuit extract electrical energy from the electromagnetic field generated by the transmitting coil, eliminating the need for physical wire connections while maintaining power supply functionality for the ACEK device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium to transfer power from the external transmitter to the intraoral device. The transmitting coil generates an alternating magnetic field that induces current in the receiving coil, serving as a wireless power transmission intermediary that eliminates direct electrical contact and associated safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If passive diffusion is used for drug delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but delivery speed and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddelivery speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static passive diffusion process into a dynamic active transport system by applying alternating current electric fields. The interdigitated electrodes generate time-varying electric fields that induce dielectrophoresis and electroosmosis, creating dynamic fluid flow and particle movement that significantly accelerates drug delivery compared to passive diffusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic alternating current signals to drive the ACEK effects. The alternating electric field periodically reverses direction, creating oscillating dielectrophoretic forces and electroosmotic flow that continuously propel drug particles through tissue, enhancing delivery efficiency through rhythmic mechanical action rather than relying on slow concentration gradients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If conventional patches are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but delivery precision deteriorates due to lack of targeting capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddelivery precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by concentrating the electric field and resulting ACEK effects at the specific application site between the interdigitated electrodes. The field is localized to the gap region where drug particles are suspended, enabling targeted delivery to the underlying tissue while minimizing exposure to surrounding areas, thus achieving spatial precision in drug delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves direct, non-invasive drug delivery to specific targets, reducing systemic side-effects and improving delivery efficacy while negating safety risks associated with conventional patches.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting a signal to the drug delivery patch to power the drug delivery patch by inductive coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductive coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the movement of particles under the influence of a non-uniform electrical field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectrophoresis: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

AC electrokinetics (ACEK) has been shown to deliver certain drugs into human teeth more effectively than diffusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC electrokinetics: Electro-Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS12544568B2Wireless patch system for transdermal, transmucosal and dental electrical drug delivery

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 IVANOFF ATHENA E

AI summary

Methods and systems for delivering drug particles to a target site are disclosed. An example method for implementing the subject matter described herein includes applying a drug delivery patch to a target site. The drug delivery patch can include a substrate, an electrode integrated with the substrate, and a fluid in the substrate having drug particles suspended in the fluid. The method further includes transmitting a signal to the drug delivery patch to power the drug delivery patch by inductive coupling. Powering the drug delivery patch causes the electrode in the drug delivery patch to motivate the drug particles towards a target site of the drug delivery patch.