Mixed Allergen Composition Microwave Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing allergen compositions do not effectively prevent or treat allergies, particularly for food allergies, as they often fail to eliminate aerobic organisms and maintain the protein structure and allergenic effect of the allergens, leading to potential contamination and reduced efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mixed allergen composition with 6 or more allergens and a bulking agent, milled to a consistent particle size, then treated with microwaves or radio frequency interference to achieve at least 190° F for 30 minutes, resulting in a substantially aerobic organism-free composition with reduced microbial load while maintaining protein structure and allergenic effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current methods are used to produce allergen compositions, then the production process is simple, but the aerobic organisms are not effectively eliminated and the allergenic effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or chemical sterilization methods with microwave irradiation technology. The microwave system delivers electromagnetic energy that penetrates the composition and heats it internally, effectively eliminating aerobic organisms without requiring complex mechanical sterilization equipment or chemical agents. This substitution achieves reliable sterilization while maintaining relatively simple production process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies microwave irradiation to change the thermal parameters of the composition, heating it to temperatures sufficient to eliminate aerobic organisms. By controlling the microwave power, duration, and temperature parameters, the method achieves effective sterilization while preserving the allergenic proteins. The parameter changes enable reliable organism elimination without overly complicating the production process.
2Reliability
If high heat treatment is applied to eliminate organisms, then microbial load is reduced, but protein structure may be damaged and allergenic effect lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional external heat sources (steam, hot air) with microwave irradiation, which generates heat internally within the composition. This internal heating mechanism allows for more uniform and controlled temperature distribution, reducing the risk of localized overheating that could damage protein structures. The substitution achieves effective microbial load reduction while better preserving protein structure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave irradiation process can be applied in periodic cycles, allowing for controlled heating intervals followed by cooling periods. This periodic action enables thorough microbial elimination while giving proteins time to recover and maintain their structural integrity. The cyclic heating pattern prevents sustained high-temperature exposure that would denature allergenic proteins.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sterilization methods are used, then the process is straightforward, but the allergenic effect is compromised and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional sterilization methods with microwave irradiation, which provides more reliable elimination of aerobic organisms while maintaining process simplicity. The microwave system penetrates deeply into the composition, ensuring thorough sterilization without requiring multiple processing steps or complex equipment arrangements. This substitution enhances both safety and efficacy while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
By adjusting microwave irradiation parameters (power level, duration, frequency), the process achieves reliable sterilization and preservation of allergenic effect through controlled parameter changes. These parameter optimizations ensure that the treatment is sufficiently intense to eliminate organisms but not so intense as to damage proteins, thereby maintaining both safety and efficacy without complicating the manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces a composition with significantly reduced aerobic organisms and coliforms, ensuring safety and maintaining the allergenic effect, thus addressing the need for effective allergen treatment and prevention.
Implementation Method 1
applying microwaves or radio frequency interference to the milled composition so that the milled composition is heated to at least 190° F. for at least 30 minutes
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of making mixed allergen compositions, e.g., substantially aerobic organism free mixed allergen compositions, and the resulting allergen composition, are provided.