Stable Lactase Delivery via Neutral Oil and Push Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lactase products are not suitable for infants due to instability in infant-friendly liquids, and current formulations pose choking hazards or have laxative properties.
Innovation Solution
A shelf-stable lactase delivery system involving a pre-measured lactase powder in a neutral oil, dispensed into a bottle and mixed, then delivered via a dropper, ensuring stability and safety for infants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lactase is dissolved in water or infant-friendly liquids, then it is easy to administer to infants, but the lactase becomes unstable and loses effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a novel carrier medium that acts as an intermediary between the lactase enzyme and infant-friendly liquids. This carrier maintains lactase stability while enabling safe administration to infants, resolving the contradiction between ease of administration and enzyme stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the lactase delivery system by using a novel carrier formulation with specific pH, viscosity, and compositional characteristics. This allows the lactase to remain stable outside aqueous environments while still being safe for infant consumption.
2Stability of the object's composition
If lactase is formulated in glycerol for stability, then the lactase remains stable, but the product acquires laxative properties that are harmful to infants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful laxative property from the formulation by replacing glycerol with a novel carrier medium that provides stability without osmotic laxative effects. This removes the harmful factor while preserving the beneficial stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the stability mechanism into a beneficial form by using a carrier that provides enzymatic stability through a different mechanism than glycerol, avoiding the harmful osmotic effects while maintaining the desired stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pre-measured lactase powder is dispensed into a bottle with neutral oil, then the lactase remains stable during storage, but additional steps are required for preparation and administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-measuring and pre-formulating the lactase in stable capsules or packets before use. This allows the product to be stored stably and then quickly prepared by simply adding to the infant's formula or breast milk, reducing the complexity of actual administration.
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 system provides a stable and safe form of lactase that can be stored for extended periods and delivered in controlled doses, effectively addressing lactose digestion issues in infants without the risks associated with other formulations.
Implementation Method 1
A bottle of neutral oil is fixed with a cap containing pre-measured lactase powder. The plunger on the cap is pressed and the pre-measured lactase powder is deposited into the neutral oil. The container is agitated to dissolve the pre-measured lactase in the neutral oil.
Implementation Method 2
A dropper is used to deliver the known concentration of lactase in oil to the infant.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the storage and delivery of a stable form of lactase to an infant as a dietary supplement. The lactase is stored first as a dry powder contained in a push cap. The push cap is then fixed to a bottle containing a plurality of anhydrous neutral oils. Once the push cap is fixed on the bottle, the push cap is pressed, releasing the lactase powder into the neutral oil. The bottle is then agitated to produce a mixture of lactase in the neutral oils. Finally, a dropper is used to deliver the stable lactase-oil mixture to the infant in need thereof.