초록 ▼

This invention relates to the use of liquid membrane technology in preparing medicinals. The medicinals prepared by this invention may be ingested and may be utilized as traps for toxins present in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, or as slow-release compositions of drugs, or as reactors. In the trap

This invention relates to the use of liquid membrane technology in preparing medicinals. The medicinals prepared by this invention may be ingested and may be utilized as traps for toxins present in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, or as slow-release compositions of drugs, or as reactors. In the trap embodiment, the liquid membrane encapsulated medicinal is an emulsion comprising an exterior phase which is immiscible with the liquids present in the GI tract and permeable to the toxins therein, and an interior phase which is immiscible with the exterior phase and comprises a reagent capable of converting said toxin into a nonpermeable form. In addition, hydrophilic adsorbents, such as a hydrophilic carbon or a silica gel, may be encapsulated in the emulsions of the instant invention. When the compositions of the instant invention are utilized as slow-release drugs, the interior phase of the emulsion will comprise a drug which is slightly soluble in the exterior phase of the emulsion whereby said drug permeates through said exterior phase of the emulsion over a period of time into the GI tract. The third method for utilizing the compositions of the instant invention comprises encapsulating a catalyst for a reaction which is desired to be carried out in the GI tract. In this embodiment the reactants present in the GI tract permeate through the exterior phase of the emulsion into an interior phase wherein said catalyst, for example, an enzyme, converts the permeated reactants to reaction products. The reaction products then may permeate through the exterior phase back into the GI tract. In all cases, the liquid membrane encapsulated medicinals may be administered by either oral ingestion or injection anywhere else into the GI tract.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for removing a toxin from the gastrointestinal tract which comprises providing an emulsion in said gastrointestinal tract, said emulsion comprising an interior phase surrounded by an exterior phase, said exterior phase being immiscible with the aqueous environment of said gastrointestinal t

A method for removing a toxin from the gastrointestinal tract which comprises providing an emulsion in said gastrointestinal tract, said emulsion comprising an interior phase surrounded by an exterior phase, said exterior phase being immiscible with the aqueous environment of said gastrointestinal tract and permeable to said toxin, said exterior phase comprising an oil-soluble surfactant component and an oil component, said oil-soluble surfactant component and said oil component are harmless to the human body, said oil-soluble surfactant component being present in said exterior phase from about 0.01 wt. % up to the solubility limit of said surfactant in said exterior phase but not more than 90 wt. % of said exterior phase, said oil component having a viscosity between about 2 and about 1,000 centistokes at normal body temperature and is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils and animal fats that are heavily hydrogenated to contain at least 10% more hydrogen then normal saturation, per fluorinated hydrocarbons, silicone fluids containing the repeating unit [Figure] and hydrocarbon oils refined to remove toxic ingredients and comprising molecular weights up to 1,000, selected from the group consisting of paraffins, isoparaffins, naphthenes, and aromatics and said interior phase being immiscible with said exterior phase and comprises a reactant capable of converting said toxin into a nonpermeable form, said emulsion being further characterized as being stable in said gastrointestinal tract, whereby said toxin permeates the exterior phase of said emulsion into said interior phase and is converted into a nonpermeable form. An emulsion useful in removing a toxin from the gastrointestinal tract and which is characterized as being stable in said gastrointestinal tract, which comprises an interior phase surrounded by an exterior phase, said exterior phase is immiscible with the aqueous environment of said gastrointestinal tract and permeable to said toxin, said exterior phase comprises an oil-soluble surfactant component and an oil component, said oil-soluble surfactant component and said oil component are harmless to the human body, said oil-soluble surfactant component is present in said exterior phase from about 0.01 wt. % up to the solubility limit of said surfactant in said exterior phase but not more than 90 wt. % of said exterior phase, said oil component has a viscosity between about 2 and about 1,000 centistokes at normal body temperature and is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils and animal fats that are heavily hydrogenated to contain at least 10% more hydrogen than normal saturation, perfluorinated hydrocarbons, silicone fluids containing the repeating unit [Figure] and hydrocarbon oils refined to remove toxic ingredients and comprises molecular weights up to 1,000, selected from the group consisting of paraffins, isoparaffins, naphthenes, and aromatics and said interior comprises a reactant capable of converting said toxin into a nonpermeable form.