DEVICES, METHODS, AND KITS FOR TASTE MODIFICATION AND CONTROLLING FOOD INTAKE

• US 20120109051A1
• Filed: 05/26/2011
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Collins Harrell
• Original Assignee: Robert Collins Harrell
• Inventors: Harrell, Robert Collins
• Application Number:
  US13/117,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20120109051A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/77
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0006 Diet or mouth appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 3/00 Drugs for disorders of the metabolism of the blood or the extracellular fluid A61P7/00

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments of intra-oral taste modification devices, both erodible and non-erodible, and methods for using the devices, and methods and kits for making the devices, for controlling food intake by reducing the desire to eat highly sweetened foods and refined carbohydrates.

Claims

1. A taste modification apparatus comprising a dissolvable layer containing a taste modifying substance and a base layer shaped to match the upper palate of a patient.

2. The taste modification apparatus of claim 1 wherein the taste modifying substance is derived from gymnema sylvestre.

3. The taste modification apparatus of claim 1 wherein the taste modifying substance reduces the ability of the patient to perceive sweet flavor.

4. A taste modification apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the dissolvable material having a portion shaped to match the upper palate of a patient, the dissolvable layer comprising a taste modifying substance.

5. The taste modification apparatus of claim 4 wherein the taste modifying substance is derived from gymnema sylvestre.

6. The taste modification apparatus of claim 4 wherein the taste modifying substance reduces the ability of the patient to perceive sweet flavor.

7. A taste modification apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the dissolvable material is characterized by a concentration of the taste modifying substance, and the concentration of the taste modifying substance changes across a gradient to enable different levels of taste modification as the dissolvable material dissolves.

8. A taste modification apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the dissolvable material includes multiple layers and different layers of the multiple layers have varying concentrations of the taste modifying substance to allow.

9. A taste modification apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the taste modifying substance reduces the ability of the patient to perceive {bitter, salty, savory, sour} flavor.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein the taste modifying substance is derived from gymnema sylvestre.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein the taste modifying substance reduces the ability of the patient to perceive sweet taste.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein the base implant is configured for placement using orthodontic bands such that the bands can attach to one or more upper molars.

14. The system of claim 7 wherein the base implant is configured for placement using orthodontic pads secured to one or more upper molars.

15. The system of claim 7 wherein the base implant is designed for placement and removal by a dental or medical professional, and the cartridge is designed for placement and removal by the patient.

10. A system for taste modification comprising:

a base implant for semi-permanent placement in a patient at the upper palate of the patient, the base implant including a receiving portion for receiving a cartridge; and

a cartridge for coupling with the base implant, the cartridge comprising a taste modifying substance;

wherein the cartridge is replaceable in the base implant; and

wherein the cartridge includes a dissolvable layer having the taste modifying substance therein for slow release to the patient.

16. A method of treating a patient comprising:

obtaining a mold of a portion of the patient'"'"'s mouth;

creating a set of taste modification apparatuses for placement in the patient'"'"'s mouth using the mold; and

providing the set of taste modification apparatuses to the patient with instructions for the patient to place and replace the taste modification apparatuses in their mouth.