Satiety

• US 20090098198A1
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tylerton International Inc.
• Inventors: Rousso, Benny, Ben-Haim, Shlomo
• Granted Patent: US 9,233,075 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/451
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0036 Intragastrical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/4808 characterised by the form of the capsule or the structure of the filling; Capsules containing small tablets; Capsules with outer layer for immediate drug release capsules filled with granules or microparticles A61K9/16; filled with microcapsules or coated microparticles A61K9/50; with mixture of different granules, microcapsules, (coated) microparticles A61K9/5084

Abstract

A capsule for suppressing appetite, comprising:

• • a) a shell which dissolves in the stomach; and
  • b) a plurality of elements inside the shell, which elements expand inside the stomach, after the shell dissolves, to form a connected mass with an envelope volume greater than the total volume of the elements, and at least 3 times the volume of the capsule.

Claims

1. A capsule for suppressing appetite, comprising:

a) a shell which dissolves in the stomach; and

b) a plurality of elements inside the shell, which elements expand inside the stomach, after the shell dissolves, to form a connected mass with an envelope volume greater than the total volume of the elements, and at least 3 times the volume of the capsule.

2. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the envelope volume is at least 5 times the volume of the capsule.

3. A capsule according to claim 2, wherein the envelope volume is at least 10 times the volume of the capsule.

4. A capsule according to claim 3, wherein the envelope volume is at least 20 times the volume of the capsule.

5. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the elements consist of material substantially all of which leaves the stomach of a normal person in less than 12 hours.

6. A capsule according to claim 5, wherein substantially all of the material leaves the stomach in less than 9 hours.

7. A capsule according to claim 6, wherein substantially all of the material leaves the stomach in less than 6 hours.

8. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the elements individually expand when they absorb fluid inside the stomach.

9. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the elements comprise a food material approved for human consumption.

10. A capsule according to claim 9, wherein the food material comprises a freeze-dried vegetable.

11. A capsule according to claim 10, wherein the material comprises between 6% and 10% water by weight.

12. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the elements comprise an inert non-food material.

13. A capsule according to claim 1, wherein the elements comprise a mechanical structure which is in a collapsed state when it is inside the shell, and which expands to a less collapsed state when it is released from the shell.

14. A capsule according to claim 13, wherein the expansion of the mechanical structure is due at least partly to the removal of constraining forces exerted on the mechanical structure by the shell.

15. A capsule according to claim 13, wherein the expansion of the mechanical structure is at least partly triggered by exposure to water.

16. A capsule according to claim 15, wherein the expansion of the mechanical structure is due at least partly to the absorption of fluid, which makes the mechanical structure more rigid.

17. A capsule according to claim 15, wherein the expansion of the mechanical structure is due at least partly to the absorption of fluid which makes the individual elements expand.

18. A capsule according to claim 13, wherein the mechanical structure corresponds to an array of polyhedrons, with each element corresponding to an edge of one or more of the polyhedrons.

19. A method of inducing satiety in a patient, comprising feeding the patient one or more capsules according to claim 1.

20. A method of manufacture of elastic freeze-dried vegetable material, the method comprising:

a) preparing freeze-dried vegetable material with a moisture content less than 5%; and

b) humidifying the freeze-dried vegetable material until it has a water content at least 6% by weight, thereby making the material elastic.

21. A method of manufacturing capsules of expandable material for inducing satiety, comprising:

a) forming edible material into one or more shapes; and

b) compressing the shapes and putting them in a capsule.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the edible material comprises elastic freeze-dried vegetable material manufactured by:

a) preparing freeze-dried vegetable material with a moisture content less than 5%; and

b) humidifying the freeze-dried vegetable material until it has a water content at least 6% by weight, thereby making the material elastic.