BUCKS NEW UNIVERSITY

OXFORD BUSINESS COLLEGE

STUDENT NAME: CRISTIAN ALIN NITA

BNU ID: 22025214

GROUP: L5

COURSE NAME: BA (Hons) BUSINESS

MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION YEAR

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2022/2023

MODULE: BM 565 Digital Business and New Technologies

ASSIGNMENT: Report: Innovation in Medicine – Skin Patches

TUTOR NAME: Owais Malik

WORDS COUNT: +- 2000 WORDS.

Executive summary

 

 

The development of medicine affects every person on the planet. It promises new drugs and devices to control and treat disease, as well as new methods to prevent, diagnose, and monitor health problems. Clinical progress also means expanding information and changing existing interactions and action plans to better meet changing requirements and assumptions. The global flurry of health-related innovation is driven by technologies like big data, artificial intelligence, and others. Remote health care has become possible thanks to new technologies. Health can now be tracked in real time, condition can be monitored remotely, data can be analysed and shared, new diagnoses can be used, and individualized treatment can be prescribed. With smart wearables offering personalized health advice, artificial intelligence and big data technologies are being used to monitor the health of patients. Remote care and monitoring are made possible by connected devices that monitor vital signs and other health parameters. This means cutting costs and further developing care outside of clinics.

Skin patches are products that stick to the skin and can be used. The integration of electronic functions such as sensors, actuators, processors and communications in one electronic element allows products to be connected and intelligent. Skin patches are in many ways the ideal portable electronic device, providing maximum comfort and minimal obstruction. As a result of the huge publicity and market expansion around “wearable devices” that began in 2014, interest in electronic skin patches has skyrocketed. As a result, the report analyses the relevant technologies, product types, competitive landscape, industry players, pricing, historical revenue, and market forecasts for each of the Electronic Skin Patch applications.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

Skin patches are considered an important topic for several reasons. Skin patches are used as a method of delivering medication through the skin and into the bloodstream, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. This method of drug delivery can be more effective and convenient than taking medication orally, especially for drugs that need to be administered at specific intervals throughout the day. Skin patches are non-invasive, which means that they do not require the use of needles or other invasive procedures. This makes them a more comfortable and less intimidating option for patients who may be afraid of needles or have difficulty with injections (Baik, 2019).

Skin patches can also be used for continuous monitoring of various physiological parameters such as blood glucose, body temperature, and heart rate. This is particularly useful for patients with chronic conditions who need to monitor their health regularly. Skin patches are also used in cosmetic and dermatological applications, such as anti-ageing patches and acne treatment patches. These patches can help to improve the appearance of the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of ageing. Overall, skin patches offer a convenient, non-invasive, and effective method of drug delivery and monitoring, making them an important topic in the fields of medicine and healthcare (Bae, 2013).

Healthcare innovation through skin patches

 

Skin patches generally require extremely thin construction. On this label, the entire device is 0.4 to 1 millimetre thick with a curvature of just 25 millimetres. Although asymptomatic patients do not develop a fever, these marks can still aid in the diagnosis. Temperature spots on the skin are an example. Various types of sensors can be integrated into wearable patches, which can also be used for drug delivery, cosmetic delivery, a chemical measurement, vital sign measurement, and more. New types of batteries have great potential with many adaptable use cases and remote use scenarios. The market for slim, flexible, and printed batteries will reach $500 million by 2030, according to IDTechEx Research’s “Flexible, Printed, and Thin-Film Batteries 2020-2030” report (Chen, 2020).

In the form of electronic skin patches, batteries used in medical, healthcare, fitness and beauty products will account for 23% of the market share by 2025. The aim of A-Patch is the development of an economical and effective alternative to sputum analysis. Chemical sensors are used in an ultra-thin, flexible patch to detect changes in the body’s organic compounds that occur when TB bacteria take hold. A-Patch accurately diagnoses TB when worn for one hour. With a patch applied to the arm, the team hopes to reduce wearing time to five minutes. The clinician can use an electronic reader to activate the disposable A-Patch and interpret the results. A one-time A-Patch costs between one and two US dollars (Donadei, 2019).

Description of technology used in skin patches.

Skin patches, also known as transdermal patches, are a type of medical device that delivers medication or other substances through the skin and into the bloodstream. These patches are used for a wide range of medical applications, including hormone therapy, pain management, and nicotine replacement therapy. The technology used in skin patches involves a combination of materials and design elements that work together to enable the delivery of the active ingredient through the skin (Dahiya, 2019). The following are some of the key components of a typical skin patch:

• Adhesive layer: This layer is responsible for holding the patch in place on the skin. The adhesive used in skin patches is designed to be strong enough to keep the patch in place for the required amount of time, but gentle enough to be removed without causing damage to the skin.

• Drug reservoir: This is where the active ingredient is stored. The drug reservoir is typically made of a polymer matrix that is impregnated with the drug.

• Permeation enhancers: These are substances that are added to the drug reservoir to help the active ingredient penetrate the skin. Permeation enhancers work by temporarily altering the structure of the skin, making it more permeable to the drug.

• Backing layer: This layer provides a protective barrier between the drug reservoir and the external environment. The backing layer is typically made of a thin, flexible material such as polyester or polyurethane.

• Release liner: This is a layer of material that covers the adhesive layer and protects it from contamination before the patch is applied to the skin.

• Control membrane: In some patches, a control membrane is used to regulate the rate at which the drug is released from the patch. The control membrane is typically made of a polymer material that is designed to be permeable to the drug, but only at a controlled rate.

The technology used in skin patches is designed to provide a safe, effective, and convenient way to deliver medication through the skin. By using a patch instead of pills or injections, patients can avoid some of the side effects and inconveniences associated with these other delivery methods. Additionally, skin patches can provide a steady, continuous dose of medication over an extended period, which can help to improve treatment outcomes for many medical conditions (Jiang, 2019).

Traditional skin patches have been used for common medical purposes such as fixation of medical devices, simple drug release, and wound healing. However, conductive gels, tape, and mechanical clips are often required because traditional medical patches are heavier and contain more wires. This can make it difficult for patients to comply by limiting the duration of use. This is a space that needs development. In the last five years, investors and researchers have paid a lot of attention to it. Passive skin patch drug delivery systems use only natural diffusion to transport drugs from the patch to the skin and body (Kai, 2019).

They provide a reliable dissipation rate depending on the quality of the skin and the correction plan. Dynamic scaffolds for transdermal drug fixation use a specific technique to support drug exchange with the skin and within the body. These techniques include physical aids such as micro needling, low electrical current techniques such as iontophoresis, and chemical enhancers and permeators. The skin, the characteristics of the product and the active method affect the degree of diffusion (Krysiak, 2023).

Some transdermal patch designs are much more complex than others. Depending on the APIs they include and how they are consumed, additional saturation boosters, stabilizers, or other packages may be required. Finding the perfect combination of all the components needed to create an effective drug delivery system is essential to the development of successful transdermal patches. A lot of work goes into making a transdermal patch that works. The procedure has been known to take several years, despite the potential for significant benefits. Underestimating the complexity of formulating compounds for transdermal delivery may be the biggest hurdle (Luo, 2020).

The type of business and organisation that uses the technology.

Skin patches can be used by various types of businesses and organizations for a variety of purposes. Some examples include:

• Pharmaceutical companies: These companies often develop and manufacture skin patches that are used to deliver medication through the skin.

• Medical clinics and hospitals: Skin patches can be used in a clinical setting to monitor patients’ vital signs, administer medication, or treat various medical conditions.

• Sports and fitness companies: Some companies develop skin patches that can monitor athletes’ performance, measure hydration levels, or track other physiological data.

• Cosmetics companies: Skin patches can also be used in the beauty industry to deliver ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, or anti-aging compounds to the skin.

• Research organizations: Skin patches can be used in research studies to collect data on various biological processes, including drug absorption rates, hormonal changes, or immune responses.

How it is used as a business tool and how effective it is

Skin patches are a versatile tool that can be used by many different types of businesses and organizations, depending on their specific needs and goals. Skin patches can be used as a business tool in several ways, such as:

Promoting a brand or product: Companies can create custom-designed skin patches with their logos or brand messages and distribute them as promotional items to create brand awareness and increase visibility (Makvandi, 2021).

Employee identification: Skin patches can also be used as an identification tool for employees. For example, a company can create skin patches with their employee ID numbers, which can be worn on the uniform or badge.

Event promotion: Skin patches can be used to promote events such as trade shows, conferences, and festivals. Companies can distribute custom-designed skin patches with the event details to attendees, creating a lasting memory and increasing the chances of repeat attendance.

Medical purposes: Skin patches are commonly used for delivering medication, such as nicotine patches for smoking cessation or birth control patches. Companies that produce these patches can use them as a business tool to generate revenue.

In terms of effectiveness, the success of using skin patches as a business tool depends on the specific use case and how well the patches are designed and distributed. For example, if the goal is to create brand awareness, the effectiveness of the skin patch will depend on how many people wear them and how often they are seen by others. Similarly, the success of using skin patches for medical purposes will depend on the efficacy of the medication being delivered and how well the patches are received by patients. Skin patches can be an effective business tool when used strategically and creatively. Skin patches can be an effective way to deliver medications, hormones, or other substances into the body. The effectiveness of a skin patch depends on several factors, such as the type of medication being delivered, the patch’s design, and the location of the body where the patch is applied (McHugh, 2019).

Skin patches are designed to release medication gradually over a set period, which can provide a steady and constant level of the medication in the body. This can be advantageous in certain medical conditions, where a stable blood level of the medication is required for optimal treatment (Samant, 2020). However, the effectiveness of a skin patch can vary depending on individual factors such as skin type, sweat rate, and other skin conditions. It’s important to follow the instructions for use carefully and to speak with a healthcare professional if there are any concerns about the effectiveness of a skin patch. Overall, skin patches can be an effective way to deliver medications or hormones into the body, but their effectiveness will depend on the individual and the specific circumstances (Pagneux, 2020).

Conclusion

Health care must become more efficient and reliable considering the pandemic, the growing world population, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. An electronic skin patch that can continuously monitor physiology wirelessly is an important form of wearable technology that is increasingly being used in healthcare systems. Technology enables this transformation. In its latest report, Electronic Skin Patches 2023-2033, research firm ID TechX explores the many areas where these new devices could improve healthcare. Electronic skin patches are products that stick to the skin and can be used (Wong, 2023). Products can become connected and intelligent by integrating electronic functions such as sensors, actuators, processors, and communications into one electronic element. Electronic skin patches are, in many ways, versatile portable electronic devices, providing maximum comfort and minimal disruption to the user. Patients often pull on the cords of these existing monitors, resulting in false readings because they are bulky, wired, and uncomfortable for them. The most significant benefit of skin patches is patient comfort and adhesion control, which is the biggest challenge facing healthcare professionals. These devices have allowed caregivers to monitor multiple patients at the same time through virtual rooms. They did this by providing wireless connectivity, continuous and automated monitoring, and battery-powered quarantine periods (Wang, 2016).

References

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Bae, W.G., Kim, D., Kwak, M.K., Ha, L., Kang, S.M. and Suh, K.Y., 2013. Enhanced skin adhesive patch with modulus‐tunable composite micropillars. Advanced healthcare materials, 2(1), pp.109-113.

Chen, S., Pang, Y., Yuan, H., Tan, X. and Cao, C., 2020. Smart soft actuators and grippers enabled by self‐powered tribo‐skins. Advanced Materials Technologies, 5(4), p.1901075.

Donadei, A., Kraan, H., Ophorst, O., Flynn, O., O’Mahony, C., Soema, P.C. and Moore, A.C., 2019. Skin delivery of trivalent Sabin inactivated poliovirus vaccine using dissolvable microneedle patches induces neutralizing antibodies. Journal of Controlled Release, 311, pp.96-103.

Dahiya, R., 2019. E-skin: From humanoids to humans [point of view]. Proceedings of the IEEE, 107(2), pp.247-252.

Jiang, S., Li, L., Xu, H., Xu, J., Gu, G. and Shull, P.B., 2019. Stretchable e-skin patch for gesture recognition on the back of the hand. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 67(1), pp.647-657.

Kai, H., Suda, W., Yoshida, S. and Nishizawa, M., 2019. Organic electrochromic timer for enzymatic skin patches. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 123, pp.108-113.

Krysiak, Z.J. and Stachewicz, U., 2023. Electrospun fibers as carriers for topical drug delivery and release in skin bandages and patches for atopic dermatitis treatment. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, 15(1), p.e1829.

Luo, J., Yang, J., Zheng, X., Ke, X., Chen, Y., Tan, H. and Li, J., 2020. A highly stretchable, real‐time self‐healable hydrogel adhesive matrix for tissue patches and flexible electronics. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 9(4), p.1901423.

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McHugh, K.J., Jing, L., Severt, S.Y., Cruz, M., Sarmadi, M., Jayawardena, H.S.N., Perkinson, C.F., Larusson, F., Rose, S., Tomasic, S. and Graf, T., 2019. Biocompatible near-infrared quantum dots delivered to the skin by microneedle patches record vaccination. Science translational medicine, 11(523), p. eaay7162.

Pagneux, Q., Ye, R., Chengnan, L., Barras, A., Hennuyer, N., Staels, B., Caina, D., Osses, J.A., Abderrahmani, A., Plaisance, V. and Pawlowski, V., 2020. Electrothermal patches driving the transdermal delivery of insulin. Nanoscale Horizons, 5(4), pp.663-670.

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