Colon Delivery Article Using Secretion-Inducing Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in delivering therapeutic agents to the colon effectively while minimizing adverse effects and enhancing absorption remains unsolved due to the difficulty in achieving controlled and localized release of drugs within the gastrointestinal tract.

Innovation Solution

The development of articles comprising a secretion inducing agent and a therapeutic agent, combined with a degradable coating, which stimulates intestinal fluid release and facilitates targeted delivery of the therapeutic agent to the colon, enhancing absorption and reducing adverse effects by controlling the release location and amount of intestinal fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a therapeutic agent is delivered to the colon using conventional methods, then the drug reaches the gastrointestinal tract, but the release is uncontrolled and not localized to the colon, resulting in poor absorption and potential adverse effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled and localized releaseVSAvoiddelivery system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion containing a secretion-inducing agent and a second portion containing the therapeutic agent. This segmentation allows the secretion-inducing agent to first stimulate intestinal fluid release, creating favorable conditions for subsequent therapeutic agent release and absorption in the colon, thereby achieving controlled and localized delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secretion-inducing agent is released first to stimulate intestinal fluid secretion before the therapeutic agent is released. This preliminary action creates the necessary physiological conditions (increased intestinal fluids) that enhance the subsequent absorption and efficacy of the therapeutic agent in the colon

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the therapeutic agent is released without sufficient intestinal fluids, then the release structure is simple, but the solubility and absorption of the therapeutic agent in the colon is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of intestinal fluidVSAvoiddelivery system composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secretion-inducing agent acts as an intermediary substance that stimulates the intestinal mucosa to produce endogenous intestinal fluids. These fluids serve as a medium to enhance the solubility and absorption of the hydrophobic therapeutic agent in the colon, without requiring the delivery system to directly provide the fluid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the therapeutic agent is released in the wrong location or at the wrong time, then the delivery method is simple, but absorption is reduced and adverse effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption efficiencyVSAvoidadverse effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is designed to release the secretion-inducing agent and therapeutic agent specifically in the colon, utilizing the unique physiological environment of this location. The system exploits local colonic conditions (such as specific pH, microbial flora, and motility patterns) to achieve targeted release, improving absorption efficiency while minimizing adverse effects that would occur with systemic or upper GI tract release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach improves the solubility and absorption of therapeutic agents in the colon, reduces abdominal pain, and maintains the integrity of the delivery system during intestinal passage, achieving a controlled and extended release of the therapeutic agent.

Implementation Method 1

a degradable coating associated with the article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

the secretion inducing agent increases the amount of intestinal fluid present in the intestine of the subject

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSecretion induction:

Data Source

PatentUS12171879B2Articles and methods for administration of therapeutic agents

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH

AI summary

Articles and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent to a subject are described. These articles and methods may be useful, in some cases, for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the colon of a subject. In some embodiments, an article is configured to release a secretion inducing agent e.g., to stimulate the release of intestinal fluids. The article, in some embodiments, comprises a therapeutic agent such that the stimulated release of intestinal fluid increases the amount of therapeutic agent available for absorption by the colon. For example, in some embodiments, the articles and methods described herein advantageously promote increased absorption of therapeutic agents in subjects as compared to traditionally administered therapeutic agents without additional components such as a secretion inducing agent. In some embodiments, articles and methods described herein may increase the motility of the colon of a subject. The increase in contractions and movement of fluidic in the colon caused by increase motility may advantageously facilitate the dissolution or absorption of the therapeutic agent.