Devices and Methods for Weight Control and Weight Loss
The present invention provides compositions, devices; and methods for affecting, among other things, weight loss and/or weight control, by sequestering nutrients or other compounds such as toxins from absorption in the digestive tract. The compositions, devices, and methods employ one or more members made of a compressible, absorbent matrix material. In various embodiments, the matrix material is suitable for routine use. The compressible absorbent matrix material has a size, shape and/or geometry configured for efficient packing into a small space, and/or configured to absorb and substantially retain digested material in the stomach. The devices and compositions may further comprise one or more hydrogel(s), soluble or insoluble fibers, waxes and/or gums to provide the desired mechanical properties and/or absorptive or shielding properties.
1 . A device for preventing absorption of compounds in the stomach, the device comprising:
a plurality of compressible absorbent matrix materials, wherein each matrix material has a compressible architecture, and wherein each matrix material includes:
one or more openings that facilitate nearby compounds entry into the matrix material,
one or more spaces within the matrix material that stores the nearby compounds that entered the matrix material via the one or more openings,
a plurality of cell walls that forms the compressible architecture for the matrix material, wherein the plurality of cell wells at least partially return or expand to their original state from a compressed state, and wherein the returning or expanding is triggered via a force, and
one or more fluids or materials associated with the plurality of cell walls that prevent the compounds stored within the matrix material from leaving the matrix material; and
a capsule that contains the plurality of the compressible absorbent matrix materials in a compressed state, wherein the capsule is ingestible by a user, and wherein ingestion is the force that triggers the returning or expanding of the cell walls of the matrix material from the compressed state to the original state.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluids or materials associated with the plurality of cell walls includes hydrogels, fibers or gums that seal the one or more spaces within the matrix material preventing absorbed compounds from leaving the one or more spaces within the matrix material.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the compressible architecture collapses under mechanical, chemical, or thermal action.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the compressible architecture of the matrix material in the compressed state has a compressed size or volume less than 50% of the size or volume of the matrix material in the original state.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix material is partially or completely elastic, elastomeric, resilient, recoiling, rigid or semi-rigid.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix material is plastic.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix material includes latex, guayule, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, cellulose, nanocellulose, nitrile rubber, elastin, collagen or natural proteins.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluids or materials associated with the plurality of cell walls includes materials that have high absorption strength that create a hydraulic force used to inflate the matrix material in the compressed state.
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix material includes biodegradable fillers that disintegrate in the lower GI tract, wherein the biodegradable fillers include starches or polysaccharides.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compressible absorbent matrix materials contained within the capsule each have a different shape and size.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix material twists or rolls as it returns or expands from the compressed state to the original state, wherein the twisting or rolling facilitates capture of compounds in the stomach.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capsule dissolves in an acidic environment, and wherein the acidic environment is the stomach.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the capsule includes polylactic acids that resists temperatures as high as 190 degrees centigrade.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein compounds absorbed by the matrix material also includes toxins or alcohol.