Nested Soft Capsule for Halitosis Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mouthrinses for treating halitosis have drawbacks such as dental discoloration, short-term usability, and can sometimes aggravate the problem by killing all oral bacteria, failing to provide long-term relief from breath malodour.
Innovation Solution
A soft capsule formulation comprising a first capsule for targeted delivery to the mouth with active ingredients like cranberry extract, zinc salt, and prebiotic fibre, and a second capsule for targeted delivery to the stomach with ingredients like cranberry extract and alginate, designed to block harmful bacteria adhesion and provide sustained therapeutic effects without side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If commercial mouthrinses containing antimicrobial agents are used, then short-term breath malodour relief is achieved, but dental discoloration, taste alterations, and calculus formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the treatment into two separate capsules: a first capsule for oral cavity delivery containing ingredients like zinc salts and essential oils for immediate freshening, and a second capsule for stomach delivery containing prebiotics and probiotics for long-term bacterial balance. This segmentation allows each capsule to be optimized for its specific target without causing the harmful side effects associated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial mouthrinses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces food-grade carriers and natural ingredients as intermediaries between the active ingredients and the oral/stomach environments. These intermediaries enable controlled release and reduce direct contact between harsh antimicrobial agents and dental tissues, thereby preventing discoloration and calculus formation while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Reliability
If broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are used in mouthrinses, then all oral bacteria are killed, but the problem is sometimes aggravated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different compositions to different locations: the first capsule targets the oral cavity with anti-halitosis agents, while the second capsule targets the stomach with prebiotics and probiotics. This local quality approach ensures that antimicrobial action is concentrated where needed without disrupting the overall oral and gastrointestinal microbiome balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of bacterial interaction from complete elimination to selective modulation. By using zinc salts and essential oils in controlled concentrations within the first capsule, and prebiotics/probiotics in the second capsule, the system shifts the bacterial population dynamics toward a healthy balance rather than sterile conditions, preventing microbiome disruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-layered soft capsule with complex composition is used, then targeted delivery to mouth and stomach is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a nested capsule structure where the second capsule (stomach-delivery) is placed inside the first capsule (mouth-delivery). This nesting approach enables dual-targeted delivery through a single administration act, achieving versatility without requiring multiple separate products or complex delivery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft capsule shell serves multiple functions: it protects the sensitive prebiotic and probiotic ingredients during storage and handling, enables sequential delivery to two different locations (mouth and stomach), and provides a user-friendly single-dose format. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional delivery systems or administration steps.
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 soft capsule formulation achieves immediate and long-term treatment of halitosis by neutralizing harmful bacteria in the mouth and stomach, stimulating beneficial oral microflora, and preventing gastric reflux, with no side effects like dental discoloration.
Implementation Method 1
the second soft capsule comprises one or more active ingredients capable of blocking adhesion of harmful bacteria to the stomach and an alginate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a soft capsule comprising (a) a first soft capsule configured for targeted delivery to the mouth and (b) a second soft capsule configured for targeted delivery to the stomach, wherein the first soft capsule comprises one or more active ingredients capable of blocking adhesion of harmful bacteria to the oral cavity, a metal salt, and a prebiotic fibre, wherein the one or more active ingredients capable of blocking adhesion of harmful bacteria to the oral cavity are selected from the group consisting of cranberry extract, wild blueberry extract, strawberry extract, tea tree oil, and chamomile oil, and wherein the metal salt is a zinc salt; the second soft capsule comprises one or more active ingredients capable of blocking adhesion of harmful bacteria to the stomach and an alginate, wherein the one or more active ingredients capable of blocking adhesion of harmful bacteria to the stomach are selected from the group consisting of cranberry extract, wild blueberry extract, strawberry extract, tea tree oil, chamomile oil, tea extract, neem stick extract, snowdrop extract, seaweed extract, hop bract extract, Galla chinensis extract, avocado, and legume storage proteins; and the second soft capsule is contained in the first soft capsule. The invention further relates to the soft capsules for use in the treatment of halitosis.