Inactivated Bacterial Cell Formulation for Immune System Boost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current probiotic approaches rely on live, non-pathogenic bacteria that do not permanently colonize the host, requiring regular ingestion for health benefits, and existing methods fail to effectively enhance the immune system using non-viable bacterial components.

Innovation Solution

The use of lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as Bacillus coagulans, or their non-viable fragments and products, including cell wall components and culture supernatants, to boost the immune system, either in viable or inactivated forms, which can be administered in various compositions like beverages or food products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If live probiotic bacteria are administered, then immune system benefits are achieved, but the bacteria do not permanently colonize the host and require regular ingestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune system benefitsVSAvoidcolonization duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the viability parameter of the bacterial cells from live to inactivated/dead state. This parameter change allows the cells to permanently colonize the gastrointestinal tract without requiring regular re-ingestion, while still providing immune system benefits through their cellular structures and components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using live bacteria that transiently colonize, the patent inverts the approach by using inactivated bacteria that achieve permanent colonization. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining the beneficial immune effects while eliminating the need for continuous re-administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If inactivated bacterial cells are used, then permanent colonization is achieved, but conditions must be non-optimal for long-term vegetative cell viability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolonization durationVSAvoidimmune system benefits

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the typically harmful or neutral state of dead bacterial cells into a beneficial therapeutic agent. The inactivated cells, which would normally be considered non-viable waste, are instead used to provide sustained immune system benefits and permanent colonization without the risks associated with live pathogenic bacteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If purified bacterial components are used, then immune response is enhanced, but the complexity of purification and formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmune response enhancementVSAvoidpurification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates specific bacterial components, particularly cell wall components, from the whole bacterial cell. This extraction process creates purified formulations that enhance immune response while allowing for controlled and standardized production, reducing the complexity associated with using whole cell preparations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9446111B2Inactivated bacterial cell formulation

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 GANEDEN BIOTECH INC

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of lactic acid-producing bacteria to boost the immune system.