Palatable Colon Cleansing Formulation with Low Chloride Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current colon cleansing solutions for colonoscopy are unpleasant to consume, often causing nausea and vomiting due to their salty taste, and can be unsafe for patients with diabetes or renal issues, while also being inconvenient and potentially leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A colon cleansing formulation that incorporates potassium bicarbonate, citric acid to produce tri-sodium citrate, and a sugar alcohol like xylitol, combined with polyethylene glycol, to create a palatable, isotonic solution with reduced chloride content, which can be either isotonic or hypertonic, improving taste and efficacy as a purgative.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional colon cleansing solutions with high chloride content are used, then effective bowel evacuation is achieved, but the solution becomes unpleasant to consume and causes nausea and vomiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the cleansing solution by replacing traditional chloride-based electrolytes (NaCl, KCl) with sulfate-based electrolytes (Na2SO4, K2SO4) and using ascorbate instead of chloride salts. This parameter change maintains the osmotic effectiveness for bowel evacuation while eliminating the unpleasant salty taste and associated nausea, directly resolving the technical contradiction between effectiveness and patient tolerance.
2Reliability
If large volumes of traditional cleansing solutions are administered, then complete bowel cleansing is achieved, but fluid and electrolyte imbalances occur in vulnerable patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrolyte composition parameters to use sulfate salts and ascorbate, which have different absorption characteristics compared to traditional chloride-based solutions. This modification allows for more stable fluid and electrolyte balance during the cleansing process, reducing the risk of imbalances in elderly and medically vulnerable patients while maintaining complete bowel cleansing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If conventional electrolyte compositions are used, then osmotic balance is maintained, but the solution has poor palatability and patient compliance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the taste profile by replacing chloride salts with sulfate salts and ascorbate, transforming the unpleasant salty taste into a more palatable formulation. This parameter change in chemical composition maintains the necessary osmotic balance for effective cleansing while dramatically improving patient compliance and willingness to complete the full dosage.
4Reliability
If traditional cleansing formulations are used, then bowel evacuation is achieved, but the procedure becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates ascorbate (vitamin C) as a pre-reacted component that provides both electrolyte function and taste improvement in a single formulation. This preliminary incorporation of multiple functions into one composition simplifies the preparation process and reduces the time required for patients to mix and prepare the solution, while maintaining effective bowel evacuation.
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 is better tolerated, safer for patients with diabetes, and effectively cleanses the colon without causing significant side effects, improving patient compliance and reducing the risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
Implementation Method 1
The modern era of colon cleansing was heralded by Davis and Fordtran in 1980 with the development of osmotically-balanced large volume solutions where there was no net absorption or secretion of fluid or electrolytes.
Implementation Method 2
Hypertonic solutions contain a greater concentration of impermeable solutes than the surrounding fluid, and have the potential to draw fluid into the intestine
Implementation Method 3
A colon cleansing formulation that incorporates potassium bicarbonate, citric acid to produce tri-sodium citrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a highly palatable colon cleansing formulation that utilizes a low chloride electrolyte-replenishing base solution. When formulated with polyethylene glycol and a selected sugar alcohol, the formulation offers the advantages of superior palatability without undesirable concomitant side effects or a decrease in cleansing efficacy.