Enteric Oxygen-Release Capsules for Anaerobic Gut Infections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapies are ineffective in addressing anaerobic infections in the intestinal lumen, particularly due to the anaerobic environment supporting pathogen growth and antibiotic resistance, and treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy are limited by equipment costs and inefficacy against enteric infections.
Innovation Solution
Formulations comprising oxygen-delivering agents, such as sodium percarbonate and catalase, encapsulated in multiple coatings to release oxygen in the intestinal tract, creating an aerobic environment to inhibit anaerobic bacterial growth and infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat anaerobic infections, then oxygen concentration can be increased, but equipment costs are high and it is ineffective against enteric infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the oxygen delivery function from complex hyperbaric equipment and implements it through simple oral formulations containing oxygen-generating compounds (sodium percarbonate, carbamide peroxide) that release oxygen directly in the intestinal lumen, eliminating the need for expensive hyperbaric chambers while achieving localized high oxygen concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces oxygen-generating compounds as intermediary substances that convert stored chemical energy into oxygen gas within the intestinal environment. These compounds act as mediators between the administered formulation and the anaerobic bacteria, providing therapeutic oxygen without requiring external equipment
2Reliability
If oxygen is delivered to the intestinal lumen to inhibit anaerobic bacteria, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but maintaining stable oxygen release over time is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates oxygen-generating compounds in stable solid forms (sodium percarbonate, carbamide peroxide) that can be stored and transported without degradation. These compounds perform preliminary oxygen storage in a stable state, then activate upon contact with intestinal moisture to provide sustained oxygen release throughout the treatment period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the pH and moisture parameter changes in the intestinal environment to trigger controlled oxygen release. The oxygen-generating compounds remain stable in dry form during storage, then undergo controlled decomposition when exposed to intestinal fluids, providing reliable and sustained oxygen delivery matched to the treatment duration
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple coatings are used to protect oxygen-delivering agents, then stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a segmented multi-layer coating structure where each layer serves a specific protective function: enteric coating for acid resistance, controlled-release coating for timed oxygen delivery, and protective coating for physical integrity. This segmentation allows standard pharmaceutical coating techniques to be applied sequentially, maintaining manufacturability while achieving enhanced stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite coating materials combining different polymer matrices and functional additives in each layer. These composite coatings provide synergistic protection properties (acid resistance, controlled permeability, mechanical strength) that cannot be achieved with single materials, while still being applicable through conventional coating equipment
4Productivity
If oxygen concentration is rapidly increased in the intestine, then anaerobic infection is treated effectively, but risk of oxidative damage may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized high oxygen concentration specifically in the intestinal lumen where anaerobic bacteria reside, while maintaining normal oxygen levels in surrounding tissues. The oxygen-generating compounds are confined to the gut environment, providing targeted therapy that eliminates harmful anaerobic bacteria without exposing the host to systemic oxidative stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the normally harmful anaerobic environment into a beneficial therapeutic opportunity by using the intestinal moisture and pH as triggers for oxygen generation. The same environmental conditions that support pathogenic anaerobic bacteria now serve to activate the oxygen-releasing formulation, turning the pathological environment into a delivery mechanism for therapy
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 formulations effectively oxygenate the intestinal region, inhibiting anaerobic bacterial growth and reducing inflammation, providing a therapeutic environment that is not dependent on specialized equipment and rapidly increases oxygen concentration.
Implementation Method 1
the catalase controls the rate of conversion of the prodrug to oxygen
Implementation Method 2
the catalase is configured to act on the prodrug and convert it to an active agent upon contacting the prodrug
Implementation Method 3
the first and second soluble coatings dissolve within an intestinal region and allow the prodrug and plurality of yeast cells to contact one another
Implementation Method 4
the amount of oxygen is capable of creating an aerobic environment in the target site and/or converting the anaerobic enteric environment of the target site to an aerobic environment
Data Source
AI summary
Agents, kits, and methods that utilize oxygenation to prevent and/or treat intestinal inflammation and/or infections caused by anaerobic microorganisms are provided. In several embodiments, the formulations are provided as a capsule within a capsule in order to separate an oxygen prodrug from a catalyst until the formulation is at a target site within the intestine. In several embodiments, the catalyst is provided in an excess of the oxygen prodrug. In several embodiments, the prodrug is within an inner capsule or coating and a biological material comprising a catalyst (e.g., yeast, spirulina, chlorella, etc.) surrounds the encapsulated prodrug and the biological material is within a capsule or coating. The agents, kits, and methods can be utilized to prevent and/or treat anaerobic bacterial infections of the intestinal lumen by enteric aerobization therapy.