Vitamin K Composition for Equine Bone Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Horses and other animals often suffer from vitamin K deficiency due to low dietary intake, leading to bone mineral density issues and osteochondral defects, as existing assumptions about sufficient vitamin K availability from natural diets have been proven incorrect, and current methods do not effectively increase plasma vitamin K levels beyond dietary limits.

Innovation Solution

Administering a composition containing vitamin K1, vitamin K2, or a mixture of both, along with a physiologically acceptable carrier and UV absorbers like beta-carotene, to increase plasma vitamin K levels and enhance bone density, which can be achieved through oral administration or supplementation, ensuring maximum achievable levels of carboxylated osteocalcin.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If vitamin K is administered through natural diet, then vitamin K intake is provided, but plasma vitamin K levels cannot exceed dietary limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma vitamin K levelVSAvoidability to increase beyond dietary limits
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of vitamin K delivery by using concentrated supplemental compositions with specific formulations (including vitamin K1, vitamin K2, and cofactors like vitamin D3 and calcium) that can achieve plasma levels exceeding what natural diets can provide, thereby resolving the limitation of dietary intake

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If vitamin K composition is exposed to UV light, then vitamin K can be administered, but vitamin K degrades and loses stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoral administration capabilityVSAvoidvitamin K stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces UV absorbers and antioxidants as intermediary substances that absorb UV energy and prevent it from degrading vitamin K. These protective agents act as mediators between the vitamin K composition and environmental UV light, maintaining stability while allowing oral administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If bone density is increased through vitamin K supplementation, then bone strength improves, but the composition becomes complex requiring multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebone densityVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple beneficial components into a single integrated composition: vitamin K1, vitamin K2, vitamin D3, calcium, magnesium, and UV absorbers are combined into one formulation that works synergistically to increase bone density, simplifying administration while achieving the strength improvement goal

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 described method significantly increases bone density, maintains bone health, and reduces osteochondral defects by elevating plasma vitamin K levels beyond dietary limits, improving skeletal durability and reducing the incidence of bone injuries in equine animals.

Implementation Method 1

a UV absorber selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide, lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2299991B1A method for increasing bone density and/or reducing any osteochondral defects in an animal and a composition including vitamin k
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 BIFFIN JOHN RAY
  • EP2299991B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

There is disclosed herein a method of increasing bone density, maintaining bone density and/or inhibiting loss of bone density and/or reducing osteochondral defects in an animal comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of a composition containing: vitamin Kl, vitamin K2 or a mixture of vitamin K1 and vitamin K2, together with a physiologically acceptable carrier, incipient and/or diluent. Various compositions including vitamin K are also disclosed.