Vaginal Probiotic Administration via Segmented Applicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for administering probiotics vaginally face challenges in maintaining viability and efficacy due to premature activation of probiotic cells when mixed with growth supporting factors before use, especially in moist environments, leading to reduced shelf life and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the simultaneous or nearly simultaneous administration of a probiotic composition and a growth supporting factor, such as a prebiotic or acidic gel, within the vaginal cavity using an applicator, where they interact only at the moment of application, ensuring the probiotics are activated in favorable conditions, thereby maximizing viability and growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If probiotic composition and growth supporting factor are mixed before administration, then probiotic activation occurs, but probiotic viability is reduced due to premature activation and moisture exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the probiotic administration system into separate components: a probiotic composition and a growth supporting factor, which are administered separately and only mix at the site of application. This segmentation prevents premature activation and maintains probiotic viability during storage and transport, while ensuring activation occurs at the intended location and time.
2Reliability
If probiotic is administered in dry form, then shelf life is extended, but activation and growth are limited due to lack of moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the moisture component into a separate growth supporting factor that is administered independently. This allows the probiotic to be stored in a dry, stable form while receiving the necessary moisture and growth conditions only when needed at the administration site, thus extending shelf life without compromising activation efficiency.
3Reliability
If probiotic and prebiotic are mixed in advance, then synergistic effect is achieved, but probiotic cells are activated prematurely reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention prepares both the probiotic composition and growth supporting factor in advance but keeps them separate until the moment of administration. This preliminary preparation allows for optimized formulation and storage of each component independently, while the actual mixing and synergistic interaction occur only when both components are delivered to the target site together.
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
This approach ensures the delivery of an adequate number of viable probiotic cells, supports their growth, and enhances their impact by providing favorable growing conditions specifically in the vaginal environment, while preventing activation until in situ, thus improving vaginal health.
Implementation Method 1
whereby the probiotic composition and the growth supporting factor, such as the acidic gel or prebiotic composition, come into contact with each other just prior to or upon administration of the probiotic composition into the vagina
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the administration of a probiotic composition to a vaginal cavity and to compositions, devices and kits for use in this method.