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

YouTube video thumbnail
A red defibrillator inside a white wall-mounted cabinet labeled DEFIBRILLATOR. A red arrow points to it, with overlay text reading ‘Locked away?’ in bold black letters on a white highlight.

Even the best-designed devices, prepared with careful simulations and usability studies, can behave very differently when used in actual clinical or emergency situations.

A hand holds a blue asthma inhaler against a light blue background. A red arrow points to the inhaler. Overlay text reads: ‘Used Wrong?’ in bold black letters on a white highlight.

Nigel Syrotuck and Nick Allan explore the surprising reality of inhaler spacer use. While these devices are often thought of as tools for children with asthma, research shows that adults struggle with them too.

Futuristic laboratory with multiple glowing blue cylindrical tanks emitting mist. A red arrow points to one tank. Overlay text reads: ‘Bacta tank. For real?’ in bold white letters on a black background.

Ariana Wilson and Mark Drlik take inspiration from a scene in The Empire Strikes Back to talk about real-world parallels to the Star Wars bacta tank.

A medical professional wearing a white coat and blue gloves holds a red cooler labeled ‘Organ Transport.’ Overlay text reads: ‘The call came’ in bold black letters on a white highlight.

In this Before the Build episode, Eric Olson and Paul Charlebois dive into the importance of organ transplant logistics when designing effective medical devices.