Fecal Microbiota Purification Using Density Gradient Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fecal microbiota transplantation face health risks due to the use of fecal matter and lack effective alternatives for isolating and purifying intestinal microbiota for treating urinary tract infections and other medical conditions, while existing purification techniques result in significant loss of bacterial diversity and viability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving homogenization in a saline solution with a reducing agent, purification by density gradient, washing with a reducing solution, concentration, and cryopreservation to isolate and preserve intestinal microbiota, maintaining high bacterial diversity and viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fecal matter is used for microbiota transplantation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates intestinal microbiota from fecal matter through a purification process that separates beneficial microorganisms from harmful fecal components. This extraction allows the therapeutic benefits of microbiota transplantation while eliminating the health risks associated with using raw fecal matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a purification system as an intermediary between the source material (fecal matter) and the final therapeutic product. This intermediary process removes pathogens and harmful substances while preserving beneficial microbiota, acting as a mediator that enables safe treatment without direct use of fecal matter.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional purification techniques are used, then fecal matter is removed, but bacterial diversity and viability are significantly lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the form of density gradient centrifugation, where microorganisms are separated based on their density characteristics rather than being subjected to harsh filtration or chemical treatments. This physical separation method removes fecal matter while preserving bacterial diversity and viability by exploiting natural density differences between microorganisms and fecal components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If intestinal microbiota is purified and isolated, then health risks are reduced, but treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical filtration systems with density gradient centrifugation, which uses centrifugal force and density differences to achieve separation. This substitution simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for multiple filtration steps, sterile barriers, and complex handling procedures while maintaining effective purification.
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 method achieves a purified intestinal microbiota product with high stability and similarity to the original microbiota, reducing health risks and improving treatment efficacy by maintaining over 95% of bacterial taxa and viability, suitable for medical treatments and adjuvants.
Implementation Method 1
homogenization in a saline solution with a reducing agent
Implementation Method 2
purification by density gradient
Implementation Method 3
cryopreservation to isolate and preserve intestinal microbiota
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a purified microecosystem of human intestinal microbiota, its method of obtention and its use as a biological medicine useful in the prevention or treatment of recurrent urinary infections. The purified microecosystem may be also sed as an adjuvant in medical treatments of diseases involving a disruption of the intestinal microbiota (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and prolonged antibiotic treatments, among others).