Human Milk Oligosaccharide Composition for Infant Gut-Brain Pain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infants and young children experience acute pain due to gastrointestinal discomfort and diseases, which can lead to chronic issues and negatively impact their development, and existing pharmaceutical interventions pose risks and side effects, necessitating a non-pharmacological, low-risk solution.
Innovation Solution
A nutritional composition comprising a mix of human milk oligosaccharides, specifically 2-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose, is used to reduce pain perception by restoring the sensitivity of the gut-brain axis, addressing abdominal pain and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pharmaceutical pain management medicines are used in infants and young children, then pain reduction is achieved, but side effects and risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces human milk oligosaccharides as an intermediary substance that modulates the gut-brain axis and pain transmission pathways. These oligosaccharides act as a natural mediator between gastrointestinal factors and pain perception, reducing pain without the harmful side effects of direct pharmaceutical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pharmacological mechanism (direct pain blocking by medicines) with a nutritional/biological mechanism (modulation of gut-brain axis through oligosaccharides). This substitution eliminates the harmful side effects associated with pharmaceuticals while maintaining pain reduction efficacy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pain management medicines are administered to infants, then acute pain is reduced, but chronic development issues may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating human milk oligosaccharides into the infant's nutritional intake before pain episodes occur. This preventive approach supports healthy development of the gut-brain axis and pain modulation systems, reducing the risk of chronic developmental issues associated with repeated pharmaceutical use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the infant's own biological systems to manage pain through naturally occurring oligosaccharides in the gut-brain axis. This self-service mechanism reduces dependency on external pharmaceuticals and supports healthier long-term developmental outcomes.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If non-pharmacological methods are used to reduce pain, then side effects are minimized, but effectiveness may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by identifying and optimizing the specific composition and concentration of human milk oligosaccharides (2-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose) needed to effectively modulate pain transmission. This precise parameter optimization ensures both safety (no side effects) and efficacy (significant pain reduction).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions comprising a mix of human milk oligosaccharides consisting of 2′-fucosyllactose and difucosyllactose, for use in the reduction of pain and/or perception of pain in an infant or in a young child. The compositions are particularly effective in the restoration of the sensitivity of the bi-directional pain transmission pathways in the gut-brain axis to normal levels. The compositions are in particular useful in reducing abdominal pain, such as pain associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and/or gastrointestinal diseases and consequently also contribute to reducing the crying periods and to improving the quality of sleep, the general quality of life, the mood, the playfulness, the temperament and/or the happiness of the infants and young children.