Bio Break: Surprising Innovations in Olfactory Drug Delivery

Resources

Bio Break: Surprising Innovations in Olfactory Drug Delivery

Topic: Bio Break

In this episode of Bio Break, Joris van der Heijden and Nick Allan explore one of the most innovative approaches in drug delivery: olfactory drug delivery. This cutting-edge method targets the olfactory region of the nose, offering a direct pathway to deliver drugs into the brain while bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Unlike traditional intranasal delivery, this highly specialized technique uses neural pathways to achieve precise and effective results.

Nick shares insights from a fascinating project that leverages the olfactory bulb and cribriform plate—a thin, porous structure within the skull—to transport therapeutic agents directly to the brain. These pathways allow drugs to reach the brain without systemic circulation, overcoming the challenges of the blood-brain barrier that typically blocks most substances.

The discussion also delves into the complexity of nasal anatomy, highlighting the natural defenses that prevent substances from entering the brain. Structures like the nasal valve and turbinates serve critical roles in filtering air and protecting the body, but they also pose significant challenges for targeted drug delivery. Through precise engineering and careful design, the device Nick describes achieves a delicate balance of usability and effectiveness, allowing for safe and accurate drug delivery to the olfactory region.

This approach is especially promising for conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain tumors, and other neurological diseases that require direct access to the brain for treatment. By bypassing traditional barriers, olfactory drug delivery opens new opportunities for targeted therapies that were previously inaccessible.

This episode is a must-watch for medical device developers, pharmaceutical innovators, and healthcare professionals interested in the latest advancements in drug delivery technology. Gain insights into how precision engineering and biological understanding can come together to solve complex challenges and unlock groundbreaking treatments for patients.

Surprising Innovations in Olfactory Drug Delivery

Engineer presenting a 3D CAD model during a design review meeting at StarFish Medical.

A structured, well-documented design review process is a critical component of successful product development, particularly in the medical device industry.

Project manager using digital tablet to update cloud-based Gantt chart for medical device development planning.

In medical device development, we deal with complex projects that span multiple disciplines, timelines, and regulatory gates. It’s a constant balance between moving fast enough to innovate, but slow enough to stay compliant.

Sterilizing medical devices using various FDA-approved methods - Image showing three medical-related items—a pulse oximeter, surgical scissors, and a catheter with a Luer lock—on a light background. A bold label at the top reads ‘How to sterilize?’ with an arrow pointing to the pulse oximeter, indicating a question about sterilization methods for these devices.

Ariana and Mark walk through FDA-approved options and explain how to select the right one for your product. From metals to plastics and electronics, not all devices can handle the same process.

X-ray image showing two human knees side-by-side. The right knee appears intact with natural bone structure, while the left knee has a visible knee replacement implant, including metallic components. A bold caption in the upper center reads "Bone or not?" and a red curved arrow points from the text to the knee with the implant, emphasizing the contrast between natural bone and artificial joint.

In this episode of MedDevice by Design, Ariana and Mark dive into the biomechanics and materials science behind osseointegration for implants.