Ascorbate PEG Colon Cleansing Solution Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current colon cleansing solutions require large volumes for effective cleansing, leading to poor patient compliance due to unpleasant taste and volume challenges, and result in inadequate preparation for procedures like colonoscopy, with a significant portion of the ascorbate component being absorbed into circulation rather than expelling waste from the colon.
Innovation Solution
A colon cleansing solution comprising 300 to 2000 mmol per litre ascorbate anion and 10 to 200 g per litre polyethylene glycol, with optional electrolytes, sulphates, flavouring agents, and sweeteners, designed to provide effective cleansing with a smaller volume and reduced absorption of ascorbate, enhancing patient compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large volumes of colon cleansing solution are ingested to achieve effective cleansing, then colon cleansing effectiveness is improved, but patient compliance deteriorates due to unpleasant taste and volume challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleansing solution by incorporating ascorbate component (vitamin C) at specific concentrations (50-450 g/litre) alongside polyethylene glycol and electrolytes. This parameter change modifies the solution's properties to achieve effective cleansing at lower volumes (2 litres or less) while improving palatability through the ascorbate's taste-masking effects and antioxidant properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite cleansing solution combining multiple active components: polyethylene glycol (10-200 g/litre) for osmotic cleansing action, ascorbate component (50-450 g/litre) for taste improvement and antioxidant benefits, and electrolytes for physiological balance. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects that enable effective colon cleansing at reduced volumes with improved patient acceptance.
2Ease of operation
If ascorbate component is included in colon cleansing solution to improve taste and reduce volume, then patient compliance is improved, but absorption of ascorbate into circulation increases reducing cleansing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of ascorbate component to 50-450 g/litre, a range that balances two competing requirements: sufficient concentration to improve taste and enable lower volume ingestion (improving compliance), but controlled concentration to minimize excessive absorption into circulation. This parameter optimization ensures that the ascorbate remains primarily in the gastrointestinal tract to aid cleansing while providing taste-beneficial concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local concentration gradients by formulating the ascorbate component at high local concentrations (50-450 g/litre) within the cleansing solution, ensuring that the ascorbate acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract to improve taste and aid cleansing. The formulation ensures that despite the high local concentration, systemic absorption is minimized through the controlled release and local action mechanisms of the osmotic cleansing process.
3Reliability
If standard colon cleansing solutions are used, then adequate volume is available for cleansing, but wasteful absorption of ascorbate component occurs reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters of both ascorbate component (50-450 g/litre) and polyethylene glycol (10-200 g/litre) to optimize the balance between maintaining adequate cleansing volume and minimizing ascorbate absorption. These parameter changes enable the formulation to achieve effective osmotic cleansing with reduced total volume requirements, thereby reducing the absolute amount of ascorbate that could be absorbed and wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the semi-permeable membrane properties of the gastrointestinal tract to create selective retention of ascorbate component. The formulation leverages the natural porous structure of the intestinal wall to allow passage of water and small molecules while retaining larger polyethylene glycol molecules and controlled amounts of ascorbate, thereby minimizing wasteful absorption while maintaining cleansing effectiveness.
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 solution effectively clears stools from the colon with a smaller volume than standard solutions, improving patient compliance and reducing wasteful absorption of ascorbate, ensuring satisfactory colon preparation for procedures.
Implementation Method 1
These osmotically active agents are non-absorbable or only poorly absorbable and thus retain water in the bowel, resulting in copious diarrhea and cleansing of the colon
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a colon cleansing solution comprising: a) 300 to 2000 mmol per litre ascorbate anion provided by ascorbic acid, one or more salts of ascorbic acid, or a mixture thereof; and h) 10 to 200 g per litre polyethylene glycol. The invention also provides methods and kits associated with, or making use of the solutions. The invention also provides a method of cleansing the colon of a subject comprising: —administering to the subject an effect amount of a first cleansing solution; and then after a time interval—administering to the subject an effective amount of a second cleansing solution, wherein the two cleansing solutions are as described in the specification.