Ingestible Swellable Implement for Gastric Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for weight control and obesity treatment, such as invasive surgical procedures, pharmacological treatments, and intragastric balloons, are often ineffective, unsustainable, and associated with serious side effects, lacking controlled and non-invasive solutions for gastric volume reduction.

Innovation Solution

An orally administrable implement comprising a fluid-permeable expandable container with swellable clusters that expand in the stomach, allowing for controlled gastric volume reduction without invasive procedures, using biodegradable materials and pH-sensitive coatings to ensure safe passage through the digestive system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive surgical procedures or intragastric balloons are used for gastric volume reduction, then weight control effectiveness is improved, but patient safety and invasiveness are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight control effectivenessVSAvoidinvasiveness and side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/invasive systems (surgical procedures, implanted balloons) with a chemical/pharmaceutical system (orally administrable expandable implement). The implement uses chemical expansion mechanisms (water-swellable polymers) to achieve gastric volume reduction without mechanical invasion, thereby maintaining effectiveness while eliminating surgical risks and serious side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (biodegradable expandable polymer implement) that mediates between the oral administration route and the gastric volume reduction goal. This intermediary expands in the stomach to provide the therapeutic effect while being safe for ingestion and eventual biodegradation, avoiding both invasive procedures and non-biodegradable materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If non-biodegradable expandable materials are used in the stomach, then gastric volume reduction is achieved, but intestinal obstruction risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegastric volume reductionVSAvoidintestinal obstruction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discarding principle by using biodegradable materials that naturally decompose and are eliminated from the body after serving their therapeutic purpose. The expandable polymer implement degrades into safe, excretable components after maintaining gastric volume reduction, eliminating the long-term obstruction risk associated with non-biodegradable materials while preserving the therapeutic effect during the needed duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a disposable, short-lived expandable implement made from biodegradable polymers. The implement serves its function of gastric volume reduction for a limited therapeutic period and then naturally degrades and is eliminated, avoiding the persistent safety risks of long-term or permanent implantable devices while maintaining effectiveness during the treatment phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If orally administrable expandable implements are used, then invasiveness is reduced, but control over expansion timing and location is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-invasive administrationVSAvoidexpansion timing and location control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes (pH sensitivity) to control the expansion behavior of the implement. The polymer material is designed to remain stable at lower pH values (esophagus) and trigger expansion at higher pH values (stomach), providing precise control over expansion timing and location despite oral administration. This pH-dependent parameter change ensures the implement expands only in the intended location (stomach) and not during passage through the esophagus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a non-invasive, controlled, and sustainable method for reducing gastric volume, promoting weight loss by creating a sensation of satiety, while ensuring safety through biodegradability and permeability, reducing the risk of complications like intestinal obstruction.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of clusters comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of swelling when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the implement is ingested, the fluid in the stomach enters the container causing the clusters therein to swell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (physical): Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

using biodegradable materials and pH-sensitive coatings to ensure safe passage through the digestive system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS9579227B2Ingestible implement for weight control

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 WILKINS IP LLC

AI summary

An orally administrable implement for expanding in a stomach of an animal, including a mammal, to fill a space in the stomach, is provided for weight control. The implement includes: a fluid-permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension; and a plurality of clusters comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of swelling when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the implement is ingested, the fluid in the stomach enters the container causing the clusters therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension.