Irregular Flexible Lines for Gastric Residence Pyloric Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gastric residence systems often prematurely pass through the pylorus before the intended residence period, leading to incomplete delivery of agents.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating flexible lines with irregular cross-sections, such as braided configurations, into gastric residence systems to enhance gastric retention by increasing the force required to compress the system through the pylorus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gastric residence system is designed to remain in the stomach for the desired residence period, then the agent delivery is improved, but the system may prematurely pass through the pylorus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagent delivery reliabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gastric residence system is divided into multiple arms that can be independently configured. The flexible line connects these arms to maintain the expanded configuration, preventing premature passage through the pylorus while ensuring reliable agent delivery over the desired residence period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible line is incorporated into the system to maintain the structural configuration of the gastric residence system. The flexible line prevents premature compression and passage through the pylorus, thereby improving agent delivery reliability without compromising system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the flexible line is embedded within the distal end of each arm, then the gastric residence is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegastric residence reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible line is embedded within the distal end of each arm, creating a nested structure. This embedding maintains the expanded configuration and prevents premature passage through the pylorus, improving gastric residence reliability. The embedding process is integrated into the manufacturing workflow, balancing complexity with effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Force

If the flexible line has an irregular cross-section, then the force required to compress the system increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression force resistanceVSAvoidcross-section precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible line is designed with an irregular or asymmetric cross-section that provides enhanced resistance to compression forces. This asymmetric design increases the force required to compress the gastric residence system through the pylorus. The manufacturing process incorporates measures to ensure consistent asymmetric geometry, balancing precision requirements with functional effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS20250295901A1Flexible line configurations for gastric residence systems

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 NORTIVA BIO INC

AI summary

A gastric residence system comprising: a plurality of arms connected at a proximal end of each arm, the plurality of arms extending radially from the proximal ends, at least one arm comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient-containing portion and a separate tip portion at a distal end of the at least one arm; and a flexible line connecting the plurality of arms, wherein a respective portion of the flexible line is embedded within a distal end of each arm, wherein the flexible line comprises an irregular cross-section.