Multilayer Tablet with Organic Acid for Magnesium Solubility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnesium deficiency disorders like fatigue and irritability are challenging to treat due to poor absorption of magnesium salts, particularly in solid oral forms like tablets, where pH changes in the gastrointestinal tract limit magnesium dissolution and absorption.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer tablet design with an immediate gastric release layer containing magnesium oxide or hydroxide, a disintegrating agent, and a binding polymer, combined with a sustained-release layer that forms a hydrogel matrix and includes an organic acid to maintain magnesium solubility, along with an optional inert layer to prevent interaction between release layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnesium salts are administered in solid oral forms like tablets, then ease of operation is improved, but absorption is worsened due to pH changes in the gastrointestinal tract limiting magnesium dissolution
Solution Approach 1:
The tablet is divided into two distinct functional layers: an immediate-release layer containing magnesium salt and a sustained-release layer containing magnesium salt and organic acid. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the immediate-release layer provides rapid magnesium absorption in the stomach, while the sustained-release layer maintains magnesium dissolution in the intestines despite pH changes.
Solution Approach 2:
An organic acid is introduced as an intermediary substance in the sustained-release layer. This organic acid acts as a mediator that maintains an acidic microenvironment in the intestines, preventing precipitation of magnesium salts and enhancing their dissolution and absorption, thereby overcoming the pH-related absorption limitation.
2Reliability
If magnesium salts are administered to achieve sufficient blood levels, then magnesium deficiency treatment is improved, but solubility is worsened at neutral and alkaline pH values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pH parameter changes to control magnesium solubility. By introducing organic acid in the sustained-release layer, the local pH is maintained at acidic levels where magnesium salts remain soluble. This parameter change (maintaining acidic pH) prevents precipitation and enhances magnesium dissolution in the intestinal tract.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic acid serves as a mediator that creates and maintains an acidic microenvironment in the intestines. This intermediary substance prevents the pH rise that would otherwise cause magnesium precipitation, thereby maintaining high solubility and enhancing magnesium absorption throughout the intestinal tract.
3Duration of action of moving object
If sustained release of magnesium is achieved for several hours, then duration of action is improved, but dissolution is worsened due to gradually increasing pH in the intestinal tract
Solution Approach 1:
The sustained-release layer is designed to continuously release magnesium throughout the intestinal tract. The organic acid in this layer continuously maintains an acidic microenvironment, ensuring continuous dissolution of magnesium salts despite the gradually increasing pH in the intestinal tract. This continuous action extends the duration of magnesium availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic acid acts as a continuous intermediary that maintains acidic conditions throughout the intestinal passage. This mediator prevents pH-induced precipitation of magnesium salts, ensuring sustained dissolution and release of magnesium over several hours as the tablet traverses the gastrointestinal tract.
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 multilayer tablet design enhances magnesium absorption by ensuring immediate release in the stomach and sustained release in the intestinal tract, maintaining magnesium solubility through pH changes, thereby increasing blood magnesium levels effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a disintegrating agent... to accelerate release from the immediate gastric layer
Implementation Method 2
a polymer able to form a hydrogel matrix when it comes into contact with the fluids of the gastrointestinal tract
Implementation Method 3
an organic acid able to dissociate in the gastrointestinal fluids
Implementation Method 4
maintaining magnesium solubility through pH changes
Implementation Method 5
The multilayer tablet design with an immediate gastric release layer containing magnesium oxide or hydroxide, a disintegrating agent, and a binding polymer, combined with a sustained-release layer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a multilayer tablet for controlled release of magnesium, which takes place by means of immediate release into the stomach and sustained release into the intestinal tract. The tablet is used to treat magnesium deficiency.