Mixed Alkali Salt Dietary Supplement for Kidney Stone Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for kidney disorders like nephrolithiasis, particularly hypocitraturia, face challenges due to patient compliance issues with potassium citrate therapy and the lack of effective dietary measures to increase urinary citrate levels without high potassium intake, which is risky for individuals with chronic kidney disease.
Innovation Solution
A dietary supplement comprising alkali salts such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, and magnesium citrate, optionally with a sugar alcohol, formulated as a low or ultra-low potassium beverage, tablet, or powdered mixture, designed to increase urinary citrate levels and manage kidney stone formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If potassium citrate is used as first line therapy for hypocitraturia, then urinary citrate levels are increased, but patient compliance deteriorates due to gastrointestinal disturbances and medication expense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the therapy by using alternative alkali salts (sodium bicarbonate, magnesium citrate) instead of potassium citrate, thereby maintaining the citrate-raising effect while avoiding the gastrointestinal side effects that reduce compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs non-prescription dietary supplements rather than expensive prescription medications, making the therapy more accessible and sustainable for long-term use, thereby improving patient compliance
2Quantity of substance
If dietary modification is used to increase urinary citrate, then medication expense is reduced, but the dietary measures become arduous and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive dietary supplement products that are easy to consume (beverages, tablets, powdered mixtures) rather than requiring complex dietary changes, making the therapy affordable and simple to adhere to long-term
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional product that serves both as a dietary supplement and a citrate-raising therapy, combining the benefits of dietary modification with the efficacy of medication in a single easy-to-use format
3Object-affected harmful factors
If low potassium diet is implemented for chronic kidney disease patients, then hyperkalemia risk is reduced, but urinary citrate increase for kidney stone prevention is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ionic composition parameters by using sodium and magnesium-based citrate sources instead of potassium-based sources, thereby maintaining citrate delivery while reducing potassium load for chronic kidney disease patients
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the alkali metal components by using a combination of sodium bicarbonate and magnesium citrate rather than relying on a single potassium source, allowing independent optimization of citrate delivery and potassium restriction
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 supplement effectively raises urinary citrate levels, reducing kidney stone formation and improving management of hypocitraturia while minimizing potassium intake, thus addressing compliance and safety concerns.
Implementation Method 1
the oral administration of a composition including alkali salts... effectively raises urinary citrate levels
Implementation Method 2
increase urinary citrate levels... for the prevention of kidney stones
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the dietary management of nephrolithiasis and hypocitraturia through the oral administration of multiple alkali salts including sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate and/or magnesium citrate. Also provided are kits including compositions for the dietary management of nephrolithiasis and hypocitraturia.