Intra-Oral Device for Treating Obesity

• US 20100034860A1
• Filed: 10/08/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynamic Mouth Devices, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: Dynamic Mouth Devices, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Napoli, Salvatore, Geduldig, James, Bardach, Laura
• Granted Patent: US 8,900,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/422
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0006 Diet or mouth appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0092 for holding medicines in, or fixing medicines on, a tooth, e.g. holder containing medicines fixed on a tooth medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/04 Anorexiants; Antiobesity agents
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition

Abstract

The present invention relates to an intra-oral device including a carrier that has an outside wall, an inside wall and an occlusal wall connecting the outside wall to the inside wall. The carrier has at least one inset and at least one insert carrying a beneficial agent that is adapted to fit the inset, and the beneficial agent is capable of promoting weight loss. The intra-oral device is positioned in a user'"'"'s mouth so that the intra-oral device is in contact with the user'"'"'s cheeks, lips and/or tongue and the beneficial agent passes through the mucosal membrane of the user'"'"'s mouth.

Claims

1. A method of administering a beneficial agent to promote weight loss or weight management in humans comprising:

positioning an intra-oral device over an arch of teeth of a user when said user has a desire to eat, wherein said intra-oral device includes a carrier having an outside wall, an inside wall and an occlusal wall connecting said outside wall to said inside wall, and wherein said intra-oral device contains a beneficial agent capable of promoting weight loss or weight management.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

removing said intra-oral device from said user'"'"'s mouth when said beneficial agent extinguishes said user'"'"'s desire to eat.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent is a gustatory or aromatic stimulant.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising exposing said intra-oral device to a solution comprising said gustatory or aromatic stimulant before positioning said intra-oral device over said arch of teeth of said user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of exposing said intra-oral device to a solution comprises soaking said intra-oral device in said solution until said intra-oral device is imbibed with said solution.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising replenishing said gustatory or aromatic stimulant in said intra-oral device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of replenishing said gustatory or aromatic stimulant comprises soaking said intra-oral device in said solution until said intra-oral device is imbibed with said solution.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent has time release properties.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier has at least one inset and at least one insert adapted to fit said inset, said insert carrying said beneficial agent.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent is released by a delivery system comprising a hydrogel.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier includes at least one perforation.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying pressure to said intra-oral device with said user'"'"'s tongue to cause a discharge of said beneficial agent through said perforation.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent is an appetite suppressant.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said appetite suppressant is selected from the group consisting of Cholecystokinin (CCK), Bombesin/Gastrin-Releasing Peptide (GRP), Enterostatin, Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), neuropeptide-Y, Galanin, Orexin, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), Melanocortins, serotonin (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA), and leptin.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent is capable of decreasing food absorption.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent is selected from the group consisting of chitosan, guar gum, plantago husk, alfalfa, bladderwrack and ginger root.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said beneficial agent comprises a chemical, therapeutic agent, medication, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical.

18. A method of administering a beneficial agent to promote weight loss or weight management in humans comprising:

positioning an intra-oral device over an arch of teeth of a user, wherein said intra-oral device includes a carrier having an outside wall, an inside wall and an occlusal wall connecting said outside wall to said inside wall, and wherein said intra-oral device contains a beneficial agent consisting essentially of one or more substances capable of promoting weight loss or weight management.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said beneficial agent is a gustatory or aromatic stimulant.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said beneficial agent comprises a chemical, therapeutic agent, medication, pharmaceutical or nutraceutical.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said carrier has at least one inset and at least one insert adapted to fit said inset, said insert carrying said beneficial agent.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said beneficial agent is released by a delivery system comprising a hydrogel.