Immobilization Particles for Selective Microbiome Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of antibiotics and antifungals disrupts the balance of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to dysfunctional microbiomes and potential autoimmune diseases by killing beneficial bacteria and fungi, which can result in harmful interactions with the immune system.
Innovation Solution
Immobilization particles with immobilization molecules are introduced into the gastrointestinal tract to attach to target microorganisms or chemicals, preventing physical contact with tissues and allowing for their removal without causing inflammation or autoimmune reactions, using substrate structures with spacers to inhibit contact and materials like polymers, metals, or ceramics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If antibiotics and antifungals are used to kill harmful microorganisms, then the population of harmful bacteria and fungi is reduced, but beneficial bystander bacteria and fungi are also killed, disrupting the natural balance of the microbiome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phage particles as intermediary agents that specifically target and kill harmful bacteria through lytic infection, while leaving beneficial bacteria unaffected. The phages act as selective mediators between the treatment goal (killing harmful bacteria) and the microbiome balance, providing pathogen-specific elimination without broad-spectrum collateral damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by using phage particles with host-specific recognition properties that enable selective action against particular bacterial strains. Each phage preparation is tailored to target specific harmful bacteria while sparing beneficial species, creating localized specificity in the treatment approach rather than uniform broad-spectrum action.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If beneficial bacteria are killed by antibiotics, then harmful bacteria may overgrow and cause autoimmune diseases, but using stronger antibiotics to control harmful bacteria will further disrupt the microbiome
Solution Approach 1:
Phage particles serve as intermediary agents that selectively eliminate harmful bacteria responsible for autoimmune diseases without affecting beneficial bacteria. This intermediary approach prevents harmful bacteria overgrowth and subsequent autoimmune reactions while preserving the beneficial microbiome population that maintains immune balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria into a benefit by using phage therapy to specifically control these pathogens. The harmful effect of pathogen overgrowth is transformed into a controlled situation where phages eliminate the excess harmful bacteria, preventing autoimmune diseases while maintaining microbiome health.
3Reliability
If immobilization particles are used to remove target microorganisms, then the microbiome balance is maintained and autoimmune reactions are prevented, but the device complexity increases due to substrate structures with spacers
Solution Approach 1:
The immobilization particle is segmented into distinct functional components: a substrate structure for particle formation, spacer elements for physical separation, and phage particles for selective targeting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with spacers preventing tissue contact while phages eliminate harmful bacteria, thereby maintaining microbiome balance despite increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer structure acts as an intermediary element that physically separates the immobilized phage particles from gastrointestinal tract tissue. This intermediary barrier prevents direct tissue contact that could trigger autoimmune reactions, while still allowing the phages to function and maintain microbiome balance, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and device complexity.
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 immobilization particles effectively remove target microorganisms or chemicals, maintaining the balance of the microbiome and preventing autoimmune diseases by avoiding immune system activation, thus addressing the disruption caused by antibiotics and antifungals.
Implementation Method 1
immobilization molecules capable of attaching to the target microorganism or the target chemical
Data Source
AI summary
Method for immobilizing a target microorganism or target chemical found in a mammal includes introducing into a gastrointestinal tract of the mammal immobilization particles including immobilization molecules capable of attaching to the target microorganism or the target chemical, which immobilization molecules are attached to one or more portions of a structure that is capable of inhibiting contact between tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and the target microorganisms or target chemicals attached to the immobilization molecules.