Intestinal Microenvironment Transfer via Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fecal microbial transfer (FMT) techniques face challenges such as the risk of transferring unknown pathogens, undetectable defects, and procedural discomfort, which limits their effectiveness and safety for treating intestinal dysbiosis-related diseases.
Innovation Solution
The development of intestinal microenvironment transfer (IMEnT) methods involving a microbiota-depleted stool preparation filtered through a ≤450 nm pore size, allowing for the transfer of metabolites and mediators to normalize intestinal microbiota, eliminating live microbiota risks and enabling standardized, safer administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fecal microbial transfer (FMT) techniques are used to treat intestinal dysbiosis, then the intestinal microbiota can be restored, but there is a risk of transferring unknown pathogens and undetectable defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the microbiota component from the fecal preparation through filtration, retaining only the metabolites, nutrients, and mediators. This separation eliminates the risk of transferring live pathogens while preserving the therapeutic beneficial substances that normalize intestinal microbiota.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a filtration system as an intermediary between the donor fecal material and the recipient. The filter with pore size ≤450 nm acts as a mediator that selectively allows passage of beneficial small molecules while blocking larger pathogenic organisms, thus resolving the safety concern.
2Reliability
If conventional FMT techniques are used, then intestinal microbiota can be restored, but procedural discomfort limits patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transferring the complete fecal material which causes discomfort, the patent creates a filtered copy or derivative preparation containing only the essential therapeutic components (metabolites, nutrients, mediators). This simplified preparation maintains treatment effectiveness while eliminating procedural discomfort associated with conventional FMT.
3Reliability
If live microbiota is transferred via conventional FMT, then colonization can occur, but unknown defects and pathogens cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the live microbiota component through filtration, eliminating the ability of undetectable pathogens to colonize. The filtered preparation contains only non-living therapeutic substances that can be safely administered without the risk of introducing hidden pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the biological mechanism of live microbiota colonization with a chemical/metabolic mechanism where filtered metabolites and mediators directly influence and normalize the recipient's existing microbiota. This substitution eliminates detection problems associated with live organisms while maintaining therapeutic benefit.
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
IMEnT preparations effectively normalize intestinal microbiota without the risks associated with live microbiota transfer, providing a safer, more standardized treatment for intestinal dysbiosis-related diseases with improved patient tolerance and compliance.
Implementation Method 1
depletion of the microbiota from this liquid stool preparation, by filtration with a filter having a maximum pore size of ≤ 450 nm
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for positively influencing or normalising the human intestinal microbiota. The invented technique is termed intestinal microenvironment transfer (IMEnT) and comprises the preparation of a mixture of metabolites, nutrients and mediators produced by both the intestinal microbiota and the body cells of a healthy animal, especiallymammal, andparticularlypig or human, donor and transfer of this mixture (the IMEnT preparation)to a recipient of the same or another species suffering from intestinal dysbiosis in order to revitalise and/or normalise the recipient's endogenous microbiota. In particular, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and formulations as well as dietary supplements for specific and/or selective delivery of the IMEnT preparations into the small intestine and/or the large intestine.