Calcium Supplement Casing for Rumen Disintegration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current calcium supplementation methods for preventing and treating milk fever in dairy cows are plagued by issues such as poor taste, gastrointestinal irritation, slow absorption, and the risk of metabolic acidosis, making them impractical and ineffective for rapid administration during acute events.

Innovation Solution

A solid, dry, non-fatty powdered calcium source enclosed in a water-soluble cellulose or gelatinized starch casing, designed to quickly disintegrate in the rumen, providing a balanced mixture of calcium chloride and calcium propionate for rapid and sustained calcium release without mucosal irritation or acidosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If calcium chloride is administered orally to treat hypocalcaemia, then calcium absorption is rapid, but the composition causes gastrointestinal irritation and metabolic acidosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcium absorption speedVSAvoidgastrointestinal irritation and metabolic acidosis

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines calcium chloride with calcium propionate and calcium acetate in specific ratios (3:1:1 to 7:1:1) to create a composite calcium composition. This composite approach allows rapid calcium absorption from calcium chloride while the other calcium salts buffer against metabolic acidosis and reduce gastrointestinal irritation, thus resolving the contradiction between fast absorption and harmful side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating calcium propionate and calcium acetate alongside calcium chloride, changing the overall chemical profile of the administered calcium source. This parameter change enables the composition to provide rapid calcium release while simultaneously reducing the harmful effects of pure calcium chloride through the buffering action of the other calcium salts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If calcium is administered via intravenous injection, then calcium levels are rapidly corrected, but the treatment requires veterinary intervention and is not suitable for farm use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcium level correction speedVSAvoidadministration convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive intravenous injection system with an oral administration system. The specially formulated calcium composition is designed to be administered orally through a balling gun, eliminating the need for venous access and veterinary intervention while maintaining effective calcium delivery through the rumen's absorptive surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If calcium compounds are administered in liquid or gel form, then absorption is relatively quick, but the products are cumbersome to store and administer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalcium absorption speedVSAvoidstorage and administration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition by formulating the calcium composition as a dry powder that can be easily stored and handled. The powder form transitions to a dissolved state in the rumen fluid, providing quick absorption without the storage and handling complexities of liquid or gel formulations. This phase transition approach resolves the contradiction between quick absorption and ease of storage/administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 allows for safe, quick, and clean administration of a large calcium dose, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and metabolic acidosis, while ensuring rapid and sustained calcium absorption, thus effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

a substantially water soluble, dispersible or disintegrable casing mainly composed of cellulose or gelatinized starch material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

designed to quickly disintegrate in the rumen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDisintegration: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

ensuring rapid and sustained calcium absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9393196B2Preparation for preventing or treating calcium deficiency conditions in mammals

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 R2 AGRO

AI summary

An essentially dry powdered preparation containing a calcium source for the prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency conditions in mammals, e.g. dairy cows, is enclosed in a substantially water soluble, dispersible or disintegrable casing mainly composed of a cellulose material such as e.g. paperboard, cardboard, millboard, or pasteboard, or a gelatinized starch material. The calcium source is preferably a mixture of calcium chloride and calcium propionate enclosed in a cylindrical paperboard or cardboard tube or a gelatinized starch shell closed at both ends, which is administered to an animal with a bolus or bullet gun. The administration is safe and clean and the powdered mixture is quickly released in the stomach or rumen without causing erosion, irritation or inflammation of the mucosa.