Solid Alginic Acid Composition for Extraesophageal Reflux Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for extraoesophageal disorders and symptoms caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often fail to effectively address irritation in extraoesophageal areas, such as the larynx and upper respiratory airways, due to the lack of targeted protective measures against gastric acid reflux.

Innovation Solution

A solid mixture comprising alginic acid or its salts, bicarbonate or carbonate salts, and simethicone or dimethicone is developed for preventive and curative treatment, providing protection to the mucosal tissues in both gastroesophageal and extraoesophageal areas by neutralizing acid reflux and reducing irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional treatments for GERD are used, then gastroesophageal reflux symptoms are addressed, but extraoesophageal symptoms caused by gastric acid reflux are not effectively treated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidcoverage of symptom types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The composition is designed to provide universal protection against both classic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and extraoesophageal symptoms through a single multi-functional formulation. The combination of alginic acid (forming protective barrier), bicarbonate/carbonate (neutralizing acid), and simethicone/dimethicone (reducing gastric vapors) creates a comprehensive treatment that addresses multiple symptom types simultaneously, making the treatment adaptable to various clinical presentations of reflux disease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If targeted protective measures against gastric acid reflux in extraoesophageal areas are implemented, then protection of mucosal tissues is improved, but treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage to mucosal tissuesVSAvoidtreatment formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment employs a composite formulation combining four distinct active ingredients with complementary mechanisms of action: alginic acid (viscous barrier formation), bicarbonate/carbonate (chemical neutralization), and simethicone/dimethicone (surface tension reduction). This composite approach provides multi-mechanistic protection against gastric acid reflux, addressing tissue damage through multiple simultaneous pathways while maintaining a single integrated treatment product

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If alginic acid is used to form protective barrier, then mucosal tissue protection is enhanced, but the composition requires multiple components increasing formulation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective barrier strengthVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation merges four distinct protective mechanisms into a single cohesive composition: alginic acid provides viscous barrier formation, bicarbonate/carbonate delivers chemical neutralization, and simethicone/dimethicone reduces gastric vapor formation. This merging of multiple protective functions into one integrated formulation enhances overall protective strength while avoiding the need for separate sequential treatments, thereby managing formulation complexity through synergistic combination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 mixture effectively reduces damage to mucosal tissues in extraoesophageal areas by neutralizing gastric acid reflux, offering a stable, well-tolerated, and adverse-effect-free solution for both GERD patients and those with extraoesophageal reflux symptoms.

Implementation Method 1

providing protection to the mucosal tissues in both gastroesophageal and extraoesophageal areas by neutralizing acid reflux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutralization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The mixture effectively reduces damage to mucosal tissues in extraoesophageal areas by neutralizing gastric acid reflux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS12036235B2Composition in solid form for use in the treatment of extraoesophageal symptoms of gastric reflux
Publication Date: 2024.07.16 DRUGS MINERALS & GENERICS ITAL S R L IN FORMA ABBREVIATA D M G ITAL SRL

AI summary

The present invention regards a mixture in solid form comprising or, alternatively, consisting of (a) alginic acid, or a salt thereof, (b) a bicarbonate and/or carbonate salt and (c) a simethicone and/or dimethicone, for use in a treatment, in particular in a curative and/or preventive treatment, of extraoesophageal disorders or symptoms caused or triggered by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or by a partial backflow of the gastric content, such as for example by the partial backflow of pepsin, hydrochloric acid, gastric juices or acid gastric vapours, from the stomach and which occur, said disorders or symptoms, in an extraoesophageal area.