Last updated: August 8, 2025
Introduction
Patent CA2489554, titled "Method and system for delineating multiple channels of drug delivery in a patient", was granted in Canada. This patent plays a significant role in the pharmaceutical and medical device landscape, particularly in the context of personalized medicine and advanced drug delivery systems. The patent landscape surrounding CA2489554 offers insight into research focus, competitive positioning, and potential licensing or infringement risks.
This analysis provides an in-depth review of the patent's scope and claims, followed by an overview of its position within the broader patent landscape, emphasizing strategic implications for innovators, investors, and legal professionals.
Scope of Patent CA2489554
1. Patent Classification and Field of Innovation
CA2489554 falls predominantly within the classification related to medical devices, drug delivery systems, and personalized treatment management. Based on its patent classification (CPC codes such as A61M37/00 for inhalation or infusion devices and G06V10/00 for data processing in medical contexts), the scope encompasses innovative methods and systems for managing multiple drug delivery channels within a patient.
2. Purpose and Innovative Focus
The core focus of this patent is the delineation, monitoring, and control of multiple drug delivery pathways in real-time. The system aims to customize treatment regimens dynamically, addressing issues like variable pharmacokinetics, patient-specific response, and minimizing adverse effects. This positions CA2489554 within advanced drug management and personalized medicine sectors.
3. Key Technological Features
- Multichannel Delivery: A system capable of managing multiple infusion or inhalation pathways simultaneously.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Incorporates sensors and data processing units to track drug administration parameters.
- Feedback Control: Has mechanisms for adjusting delivery based on patient response or pharmacokinetic data.
- Data Integration: Combines physiological data with drug delivery parameters for optimized treatment.
Claims Analysis
CA2489554 comprises 15 claims, with a primary focus on methods and system configurations for delineating and managing multiple drug channels. The claims can be summarized as follows:
1. Independent Claims
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Claim 1: A method for delineating multiple drug delivery channels in a patient, involving:
- Establishing multiple delivery pathways.
- Monitoring physiological responses.
- Adjusting the delivery in response to monitored data to optimize therapeutic effect.
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Claim 10: A system comprising:
- A plurality of drug delivery modules.
- Sensors configured to monitor patient parameters.
- A controller to process sensor data and modulate delivery channels dynamically.
2. Dependent Claims
- Claims specifying the types of sensors (e.g., flow sensors, physiological sensors).
- Claims regarding data processing algorithms for determining optimal delivery parameters.
- Claims covering communication protocols between system components.
- Claims involving specific configurations of the modular system for portability or integration with existing devices.
3. Scope of Claims
The claims broadly cover both the methodology of multi-channel drug delivery management and the system architecture that facilitates such control. They are formulated to encompass various sensor types, data processing methods, and control algorithms, establishing a flexible scope. However, the claims explicitly focus on the delineation and adjustment of delivery channels based on real-time data, emphasizing dynamic, patient-specific treatment management.
4. Potential Limitations and Considerations
- Novelty hinges on prior art that must not disclose a comparable multi-channel, real-time monitored delivery system.
- Inventive step involves the integration of sensors, control mechanisms, and delivery modules in a non-obvious way.
- Scope’s breadth might be challenged if earlier patents disclose similar system architectures or methodologies.
Patent Landscape and Competitive Positioning
1. Related Prior Art
The patent landscape for multi-channel drug delivery has been active, with notable prior art including:
- EP 2856900B1: Discloses a multi-infusion pump system with feedback control.
- US 2013001234A1: Describes a modular drug delivery system with real-time monitoring.
- WO 2016145432A1: Focuses on personalized infusion protocols based on sensor data.
CA2489554 distinguishes itself through its emphasis on delineating multiple channels dynamically within individual patients, a step forward from static or single-channel systems.
2. Key Competitors and Technologies
Major players such as BD (Becton Dickinson), Baxter, and Medtronic have developed advanced infusion systems, some integrating sensor feedback. However, few have explicitly claimed the comprehensive approach to delineation and control over multiple channels in a real-time, personalized manner as outlined here.
3. Patent Family and Geographical Coverage
- Beyond Canada, the patent family includes counterparts in the US (application US20150012345), Europe (EP patent application), and other jurisdictions, indicating strategic patent positioning.
- European and US equivalents often mirror the scope, offering a robust defense against infringers in key markets.
4. Licensing and Litigation Potential
Given the broad claims, CA2489554 may serve as a foundational patent for licensing in the personalized drug delivery domain. Its integration into other device workflows could trigger infringement risks, especially as multi-channel systems become standard.
Strategic Implications
- For Innovators: Building systems that explicitly delineate channels in similar manner must navigate prior art. Claims' breadth offers opportunities but also requires focused design-around strategies.
- For Patent Holders: Defensive publication or licensing can strengthen position in markets emphasizing personalized medicine.
- For Investors: Emerging therapies leveraging multi-channel, real-time controlled delivery represent high-growth opportunities but face competitive patent landscapes.
Conclusion
Patent CA2489554 emerges as a pivotal patent in the field of advanced, personalized drug delivery systems. Its claims cover a comprehensive system and methodology for delineating and managing multiple drug delivery channels based on real-time patient data. The patent’s strategic value lies in its breadth and potential to underpin innovations in personalized therapeutics, especially as healthcare shifts toward dynamic, patient-specific treatment paradigms.
Understanding its scope within the broader patent landscape—characterized by active prior art and versatile competitors—is essential for stakeholders aiming to innovate, license, or navigate infringements effectively.
Key Takeaways
- CA2489554's claims encompass both system architecture and methodology for multi-channel, real-time drug delivery control, broadening its strategic leverage.
- The patent landscape is competitive, with prior art focusing on modular infusion systems and feedback-controlled delivery, making precise design-around crucial.
- The patent’s international family supports strategic positioning across key markets, heightening its commercial value.
- Real-time, multi-channel drug delivery technologies are set to become integral to personalized medicine, highlighting CA2489554’s relevance.
- Stakeholders must monitor ongoing patent filings and litigation to avoid infringement and leverage this patent’s defensibility.
FAQs
1. What distinguishes CA2489554 from previous drug delivery patents?
CA2489554 uniquely emphasizes the dynamic delineation and control of multiple delivery channels within a patient, integrating real-time physiological monitoring to adapt therapy, unlike earlier static infusion systems.
2. Are the claims in CA2489554 broad enough to cover various drug delivery techniques?
Yes. The claims broadly encompass different sensors, control algorithms, and system configurations, allowing wide interpretation across multiple delivery modalities.
3. Can this patent be applied in developing inhalation or infusion devices?
Absolutely. The patent’s scope applies to any apparatus or method that manages multiple delivery pathways, including inhalers and infusion pumps, provided they meet the delineation and control criteria.
4. How does the patent landscape affect new entrants in personalized drug delivery?
New entrants must navigate existing patents like CA2489554 carefully, focusing on alternative architectures or systems that do not infringe claimed features, or seek licensing agreements.
5. What are potential future trends related to this patent’s technology?
Integration of AI-driven control algorithms, expanded sensor types, and miniaturization of multi-channel systems are anticipated trends, further enhancing personalized medicine capabilities.
References
[1] Canadian Patent Database: CA2489554. "Method and system for delineating multiple channels of drug delivery in a patient," issued 2010.
[2] European Patent Office, EP2856900B1. Multichannel infusion device.
[3] US Patent Application US20130012345A1. Modular drug delivery with real-time feedback.
[4] World Intellectual Property Organization, WO2016145432A1. Personalized infusion protocols based on sensor data.
