Acellular Placental Extract for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants lacks effective treatments, leading to high mortality and morbidity, with current therapies focusing on antibiotics and probiotics that do not adequately address the underlying intestinal immaturity and inflammation.
Innovation Solution
Development of a liquid formulation comprising an acellular extract of placental tissue, which mimics the anti-inflammatory and growth-promoting properties of amniotic fluid, administered orally or percutaneously to promote gut maturation and reduce inflammatory responses in premature infants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broad-spectrum antibiotics and probiotics are administered to treat NEC, then microbial defense is improved, but the underlying intestinal immaturity and inflammation are not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses amniotic fluid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the immature intestinal system and the harmful effects of NEC. The amniotic fluid contains growth factors and anti-inflammatory components that directly address intestinal immaturity and inflammation, complementing the microbial defense provided by antibiotics and probiotics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from solely microbial management (antibiotics/probiotics) to include biochemical modulation through amniotic fluid administration. This introduces new parameters such as growth factor concentration and anti-inflammatory activity that directly target intestinal maturation and inflammation reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bowel resection is performed to remove diseased tissue, then necrotic or perforated intestine is removed, but mortality and morbidity remain high due to underlying intestinal vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by administering amniotic fluid before NEC fully develops or progresses to require resection. The growth factors and anti-inflammatory agents in the amniotic fluid prepare the intestinal tissue in advance, enhancing its resilience and reducing the likelihood of necrosis or perforation, thereby preventing the need for resection and improving survival outcomes.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional therapies focus on antibiotics and probiotics, then microbial aspects are addressed, but gut maturation and anti-inflammatory needs are neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs amniotic fluid as a multi-functional therapeutic agent that simultaneously addresses gut maturation, anti-inflammatory needs, and microbial defense. This universal approach consolidates multiple therapeutic functions into a single intervention, complementing conventional antibiotics and probiotics while addressing previously neglected aspects of NEC pathophysiology.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid formulation comprising an acellular extract of placental tissue and a solvent that may prevent the onset or reduce the symptoms of an intestinal condition in a subject when a therapeutically effective amount of the liquid formulation is delivered to a gastric system of the subject.