The invention concerns new polymeric films, loaded with non-toxic nanoparticles, capable of converting light into heat quickly (5-10 seconds) and by remote activation. These polymeric films will be used for therapeutic purposes, creating a new type of thermal patches capable of overcoming the disadvantages of those currently existing (low efficiency, uncontrolled heating speed, single use and skin irritation).
PATENT STATUS
GRANTED
PRIORITY NUMBER
102018000004053
PRIORITY DATE
28/03/2018
LICENSE
ITALY
MARKET
The worldwide Heating Pad market size was USD 101 million and it is expected to reach USD 139.8 million by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 4.7% During 2020-2026, According to a New Research study.
The proposed technology has the potential to create a new market segment and be expanded to the analgesic pads for thermo-activated drug delivery.
TAM – 100 M USD, on global basis
SAM – 30 M USD, on global basis
SOM – possibly 1 Million of users per year with a market of about 15 Million Euro in Italy.
PROBLEM
All of us had sometimes muscular pains for practising too much sports, for house keeping efforts or for incorrect posture in prolonged seating like in smart working. These muscular contractions can be relieved by the intervention of an experienced massage therapist or by the application of non-medical devices like thermal patches. The second option is often preferred due to our chronic everyday lack of time for long massage sessions and for economical reasons. However the patches have at least a couple of severe drawbacks. Their heat release cannot be regulated and they are single use.
Current Technology Limits
Current heating patches have several disadvantages: they are single use, have slow and uncontrolled heating.
Competitors are Thermacare commercialized in Italy by Angelini Group. These patches are chemically activated and non controllable. An alternative treatment is the Techar therapy requiring a sophisticated setup.
Killer Application
The NTP technology is specifically developed for the heating therapy of muscular contractions, specifically those due to the posture at the PC during extensive smart-working and to the long driving hours. These are located on the shoulders and the neck. The polymeric patches can be shaped on the specific muscle. Further application sectors are already under investigation.
Our Technology and Solutions
Our NanoThermoPatch technology stands on “smart” patches whose thermal load can be remotely controlled by light irradiation by means of incorporation of metal nanoparticles that convert light to heat within the patch structure. The laboratory tests proved that our patch technology provides rapid and controllable temperature growth, re-usability, absence of toxic and aggressive compounds, overcoming most of the drawbacks of existing commercial solutions.
Vantaggi
The patches that can be developed with NanoThermoPatch (NTP) technology are reusable (at least up to 100 times without losing heating efficiency), contain non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials, can be activated and deactivated remotely in a few seconds for repeated applications, the release of heat is programmable in amplitude and therapy time.
Roadmap
The next steps will be:
1.EU-required toxicity tests of the patches (test laboratory required)
2.Trials on cohorts of patients of the therapeutic validation and the setup of specific therapeutic plans (Sport medicine clinic required)
3.Optimization of the sticking pad for repeated use of the patch on the same patient (pharma-company required)
TRL
Team
