Multi-Chamber Probiotic Delivery for Microbiome Colonization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering probiotic bacteria to the rectal or vaginal areas are inefficient, as they do not consider the receptivity of the host microbiome and often fail to effectively populate these areas with healthy bacteria.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber dosage form is used, comprising an outer chamber with prebiotic nutrients and an inner chamber with probiotic bacteria, where the outer chamber melts at body temperature to release prebiotic nutrients first, followed by probiotic bacteria, enhancing the receptivity of the mucosal environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are delivered directly to the rectal or vaginal areas using existing methods, then the probiotic bacteria can reach the target area, but the delivery is inefficient and the bacteria fail to persist effectively due to lack of host microbiome receptivity
Solution Approach 1:
The outer chamber is designed to melt first and release prebiotic nutrients before the inner chamber releases probiotic bacteria. This preliminary action prepares the host microbiome environment by providing nutrients that enhance receptivity, ensuring the probiotic bacteria will persist more effectively when they are subsequently introduced
Solution Approach 2:
The dosage form is divided into two separate chambers: an outer chamber containing prebiotic nutrients and an inner chamber containing probiotic bacteria. This segmentation allows the prebiotics and probiotics to be delivered at different times and in different locations, optimizing the sequence of actions for maximum effectiveness
2Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are administered without prebiotic preparation, then the delivery process is simpler, but the bacteria fail to establish themselves effectively in the host microbiome
Solution Approach 1:
The inner chamber containing probiotic bacteria is nested within the outer chamber containing prebiotic nutrients. This nested structure allows both components to be delivered together as a single unit while maintaining their separate functions and release sequences, simplifying administration while enhancing colonization success
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
This method improves the delivery and persistence of probiotic bacteria in the rectal or vaginal areas, promoting a healthy microbiome by nourishing existing bacteria and supplementing with additional beneficial strains.
Implementation Method 1
the outer chamber melts at body temperature to release prebiotic nutrients first
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating the gastrointestinal or a urogenital system of a subject with prebiotic nutrients and probiotic bacteria is provided. Multi-chamber products are described which include at least two chambers wherein probiotic bacteria or human microbiome transplants are contained in one or more inner chambers and wherein prebiotic nutrients are contained in an outer chamber, the outer chamber completely enclosing the inner chamber(s). One or both chambers may contain a pharmaceutically acceptable material that is solid outside the human body when in a dry environment, but that melts at internal body temperature. The products may be administered by oral, rectal, vaginal, or urethral routes.