Mesoporous Silica Oral Formulation for Stable, Smooth Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral formulations of silica particles for treating metabolic disorders face challenges such as instability, uneven distribution, poor taste, and gritty texture, making them inconvenient and less palatable for consumption.
Innovation Solution
The formulation includes porous silica particles with mesoporous range pores and a thickening agent, such as xanthan gum or microcrystalline cellulose, to create a stable, palatable, and easily consumable liquid or soft solid form for oral administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If silica particles are administered orally in liquid form, then ease of consumption is improved, but stability and uniform distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thickening agent as an intermediary substance between the silica particles and the liquid medium. This thickening agent modifies the physical properties of the liquid formulation, increasing its viscosity to prevent particle separation and improve stability while maintaining oral consumability. The thickening agent acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between ease of consumption and stability.
2Ease of operation
If silica particles are administered orally in liquid form, then ease of consumption is improved, but texture and palatability deteriorate due to gritty feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the viscosity parameter of the liquid formulation through the addition of a thickening agent. This parameter change transforms the physical state of the formulation from a thin, gritty suspension to a thicker, more uniform beverage-like consistency. The thickening agent encapsulates or suspends the silica particles more effectively, eliminating the gritty texture while maintaining ease of consumption.
3Reliability
If thickening agent is added to improve stability, then stability is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of silica particles as a functional feature rather than treating porosity as a separate complexity factor. The porous silica particles naturally interact with the thickening agent and liquid medium to provide stability through their surface area and pore structure. This approach leverages the inherent properties of the silica material to achieve stability without requiring complex formulation systems.
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 formulation provides improved stability, texture, and palatability, allowing for effective delivery of silica material in treating metabolic disorders like prediabetes, diabetes, and obesity without adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
The formulation includes porous silica particles with mesoporous range pores and a thickening agent, such as xanthan gum or microcrystalline cellulose, to create a stable, palatable, and easily consumable liquid or soft solid form
Implementation Method 2
the use of such formulations in methods for delaying digestion of food and reducing uptake of biomolecules into the body from the digestive system
Implementation Method 3
porous silica particles having pores in the mesoporous range, wherein the average pore size of the pores in the mesoporous range is from about 7.0 to about 25.0 nm
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided herein an oral formulation comprising: (a) water; (b) porous silica particles having pores in the mesoporous range; and (c) a thickening agent, wherein the average pore size of the pores in the mesoporous range is from about 7.0 to about 25.0 nm; and the thickening agent is selected from xanthan gum and microcrystalline cellulose or a mixture thereof. There are also provided uses of such formulations.