Individualized intranasal delivery system for direct pharmaceutical administration to the brain

The technology involves a customizable nasal delivery device for precise administration of medications directly to the brain, bypassing traditional barriers. It uses imaging techniques for optimal placement, enhancing drug delivery efficiency and minimizing systemic side effects.

Background

Oral administration remains the predominant method for drug delivery, primarily targeting systemic circulation. However, treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders presents unique challenges due to barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, which impede drug access to the brain.

Intranasal administration has emerged as a promising alternative, offering a direct route to the brain via the olfactory epithelium, thus bypassing the BBB. Despite its potential, this method faces limitations, including the small volume of drug that can be administered, limited surface area of the olfactory epithelium, and short retention time for drug absorption.

Current nasal delivery systems, like metered-dose sprays and nasal drops, often fail to effectively target the olfactory region, with only a small fraction of the drug reaching the intended site. Additionally, these systems do not account for individual anatomical differences, which can significantly affect drug deposition and efficacy. As a result, there is a need for improved devices and methods that can enhance drug delivery to the brain while minimizing systemic exposure and side effects.

Technology description

The technology described is a nasal drug delivery device designed for precise administration of pharmaceutical compositions directly to the nasal cavity. This device comprises a reservoir for storing the medication, a conduit connecting the reservoir to the nasal cavity, and an anatomical positioning device that ensures accurate placement within the user’s nasal cavity. An actuator is included to facilitate the movement of the pharmaceutical composition from the reservoir through the conduit, allowing for controlled release into the nasal cavity.

The anatomical positioning device can be customized for individual users using imaging techniques like CT or MRI scans to optimize placement and delivery efficiency. The pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated as solid dispersions or foams and may include various therapeutic agents intended for intranasal delivery to the brain.

This technology differentiates itself by addressing the challenges associated with traditional nasal drug delivery methods, which often do not account for individual anatomical differences. By utilizing imaging techniques to customize the anatomical positioning device, this technology ensures more precise targeting and delivery of medications, potentially increasing the efficacy of treatments for central nervous system disorders.

The ability to formulate pharmaceutical compositions as solid dispersions or foams further enhances the delivery efficiency and stability of the medication. This approach allows for bypassing the blood-brain barrier, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods such as injections, and potentially reducing systemic side effects while maximizing therapeutic effects.

Benefits

Precise delivery of medication directly to the nasal cavity
Customizable anatomical positioning device for optimal placement
Potential for enhanced delivery efficiency via imaging techniques
Formulation options include solid dispersion or foam for effective intranasal delivery
Direct nose-to-brain delivery can bypass the blood-brain barrier
Reduces systemic side effects by limiting systemic exposure
Improved therapeutic efficacy for CNS-related disorders
Potential for individualized administration based on anatomical features