BME100 f2016:Group8 W8AM L1
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LAB 1 WRITE-UPHealth Care IssueAllergic rhinitis-- commonly referred to as nasal allergies-- is an “inflammatory process affecting the lining of the nose” when an individual comes into contact with an allergy-triggering substance (1). It is the most common chronic disease of childhood and is a major health problem for individuals of all ages. These substances are known as allergens, and when these allergens come into contact with the nasal passage or are inhaled by an individual, the immune cells lining the inside of the nose and lungs react, prompting a change in the individual’s immune system, leading to allergic symptoms. Allergies are simply defined as a malfunction in the human immune system where the body perceives these harmless substances (allergens) as a threat, and acts accordingly. When the allergen is first introduced to the body (a process known as sensitization), the white blood cells in an individual's blood stream become activated once coming into contact with the allergen fragments. Once these white blood cells (called type 2 helper cells) are activated, they interact with the immune cells in an individual’s body (known as B cells) and cause these cells to transform into antibody-producing plasma cells. These antibody-producing cells create large amounts of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody molecule that is different for each type of allergen. For example, the IgE molecule for a dust allergen would not cause a allergic reaction for another allergen, such as a grass allergen. This antibody IgE then binds to the mast cells in the lining of the tissue. Once an individual has been sensitized to an allergen and is exposed to the same allergen again, the allergen binds to the IgE on the surface of these mast cells that have already been created and is circulating in the bloodstream, which then causes histamines to be released from inside the mast cells, which then travel around the body and attack anything it detects as harmful. This then cause an allergic reaction to occur (1). Allergy symptoms, specifically in the nasal area of the face, are caused by the histamine released from the mast cells. The histamine, which is released when the body detects a harmful substance, causes inflammation near the site where the allergen and histamine is present. This inflammation is what we view as an allergic reaction, causing symptoms like runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, and nasal blockage. Over 50 million are affected by nasal allergies per year, and over 11.1 million people visit a physician and are diagnosed with allergic rhinitis per year. Being the 6th leading cause in chronic illness in the United States, the loss of productivity from allergies costs $18 billion per year, according to the CDC (2). It is a chronic illness that affects "one in four school children (6–7 year olds) and one in two teenagers (13–14 year olds)" (1). The current medication in the market for fighting allergies are antihistamines. Antihistamines work by binding to the cite of the mast cell where the allergen is supposed to bind to, thus not allowing the allergen to bind to the mast cell, which then does not allow the mast cell to release more histamines (3). These antihistamines are found in allergy pills like Claritin, and can also be bought generically over the counter in a near-by pharmacy. Over a 4-month period, these allergy pills (with daily use) can cost an individual anywhere from $60-$150. Some individuals can also be allergic to such drugs and therefore cannot consume these allergy pills. Our product provides a more long-term solution to combat allergy symptoms as opposed to the daily consumption of allergy medicine. The device is installed 1 time under the skin, near the neck so that when histamines are created the antihistamines can be released to the site of inflammation. Refills occur every 4 months in order to replace the old "cartridges" and is capable of holding multiples of these "cartridges" of allergy medicine (antihistamines). An app or standalone device would also be provided in order to administer the dosage of medicine needed whenever needed. Our device will eliminate the need to go buy allergy medication very often, thus reducing costs and time in the long run, thus allowing the life of the patient to be more productive.
(2) "National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2002." ICPSR Data Holdings (n.d.): 30-31. National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Center for Disease Control, 2010. Web. 6 Sept. 2016. (3) Church, Martin K, and Diana S Church. “Pharmacology of Antihistamines.” Indian Journal of Dermatology 58.3 (2013): 219–224. PMC. Web. 7 Sept. 2016.
CompetitorsOur main competitor is any company that sells antihistamine pills. Advantages: Disadvantages: - Allergy pills are easily accessible, as they can be found - Pills must be taken everyday for effectiveness. Individuals may forget to take pills. off the counter. - May cost up to $150 in a 4-month period in allergy pills. - Almost anyone is able to take allergy pills. - Effect only lasts a short amount of time. - Relatively cheap method of fighting histamines and reducing - An inconvenience to some to keep buying and using. allergies. - Pills are widely used. Customer ValidationPatient Payer Physician Provider Purchaser
IP PositionPatents for parts of implanted chemical distribution devices created from few companies with no direct patent on an allergy medication distributor Method for controlling insulin pump through internet Publication number US7231263 B2 Publication type Grant Application number US 11/546,110 Publication date Jun 12, 2007 Filing date Oct 10, 2006 Priority date May 23, 2003 Fee status Paid Also published as US20070032891 Inventors Soo Bong Choi Original Assignee Soo Bong Choi Export Citation BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
Publication number US7751907 B2 Publication type Grant Application number US 11/753,420 Publication date Jul 6, 2010 Filing date May 24, 2007 Priority date May 24, 2007 Fee status Paid Also published as EP2160694A1, 9 More » Inventors Michael Blomquist Original Assignee Smiths Medical Asd, Inc. Export Citation BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
Publication type Grant Application number US 08/890,834 Publication date Apr 20, 1999 Filing date Jul 10, 1997 Priority date Aug 14, 1995 Fee status Paid Also published as US5681289, US5891101 Inventors Todd Wilcox, E. Marlowe Goble, Alan Chervitz Original Assignee Medicinelodge, Inc. Export Citation BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
Publication number US3923060 A Publication type Grant Publication date Dec 2, 1975 Filing date Apr 23, 1974 Priority date Apr 23, 1974 Also published as CA1038044A, CA1038044A1, DE2544884A1 Inventors Jr Everett H Ellinwood Original Assignee Jr Everett H Ellinwood Export Citation BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
Publication number US4360031 A Publication type Grant Application number US 06/186,106 Publication date Nov 23, 1982 Filing date Sep 11, 1980 Priority date Sep 11, 1980 Inventors David L. White Original Assignee Medtronic, Inc. Export Citation BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan Fundability Worksheet ScoresCustomer Validation 2- People have expressed interest to purchase this product and would be willing to buy such a product, since there is no other product on the market like ours; however some have expressed an opinion against the sub-dermal procedure, and some do not think the product to be effective. Market Size 3- There is a potential market size of around 2.5 billion due to the price of the product to be $50, and a customer base of around 50 million people affected by seasonal, nasal allergies. Competition 2- There are some competitors in the allergy medication field, but none in the exact sub-dermal implant field. Our competitors are allergy medication companies like Claritin, but there are no competitors in this field allergy medication. IP Position 2- Weak patents designed for chemical dispensers, but none for allergy relief, like ours.
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