Abstract

The goal of the design is to create a safe and effective transdermal hydrogel patch that delivers ibuprofen topically to an affected muscle group. Muscle pain is a very common affliction that is treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or a variety of over the counter drugs. Ibuprofen is typically chosen to relieve such pain. However, some people are unable to take the drug orally. An alternative to oral ibuprofen is ibuprofen gel, where users must apply the gel topically and wait for the medication to absorb into the skin. A transdermal hydrogel patch is a more efficient way of delivering ibuprofen to a specific area of the body due to permeation rate and placement directly on the source of pain. Certain challenges of the design process include research of hydrogel formation, testing of hydrogel durability and permeability, and creation and testing of the final design. Working prototype and data are the final deliverables.