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Publication Number
US-7989503-B2
Publication Date
2011-08-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An emulsion comprising L-Menthol, a fat or oil and a surfactant wherein oil particles have an average diameter of 100 nm or less inhibits a content reduction attributed to, for example, evaporation of L-menthol, enhances a light transmission through liquid and is stable despite long-term storage. Thus, the emulsion can be appropriately used in the temporary inhibition of contraction of gastrointestinal tract for, for example, observation of gastrointestinal tract by an endoscope. This emulsion can be obtained by heating an oil-in-water type emulsion comprising L-menthol, a fat or oil and a surfactant at 60° C. or higher.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a smooth muscle contraction inhibitor of a digestive tract having an improved light transmittance rate. The inhibitor comprises an emulsion containing L-menthol, a triglyceride of fatty acids, and a surfactant consisting of polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, sucrose fatty acid ester and polysorbate. The emulsion has an average oil particle size of less than 100 nm and a light transmittance rate of 70% or more.
The invention addresses L-menthol evaporation and long-term stability of the emulsion, and aims to maintain sustained function. By forming very fine oil particles having average oil particle size less than 100 nm, the emulsion reduces L-menthol evaporation. The document reports near-transparent emulsions with high light transmittance after storage and improved retention of L-menthol compared with larger-particle comparators.
The document also describes digestive tract inhibitory function in connection with endoscopic observation, including suppression of gastric contraction. It further characterizes improved transparency, light transmittance and long-term stability for the L-menthol-containing oil-in-water emulsion used as a temporary smooth muscle contraction inhibitor. In the described work, the inhibitor is delivered by endoscopic spraying for diagnostic observation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim. The inventive features center on a digestive-tract smooth muscle contraction inhibitor emulsion with defined L-menthol, triglyceride and surfactant components, achieving both sub-100 nm oil particle size and a specified light transmittance rate.
Sub-100 nm oil particle L-menthol emulsion for digestive tract inhibition
A smooth muscle contraction inhibitor of a digestive tract comprising an emulsion containing L-menthol, a triglyceride of fatty acids, and a surfactant consisting of polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, sucrose fatty acid ester and polysorbate; wherein the emulsion has an average oil particle size of less than 100 nm and a light transmittance rate of 70% or more.
Overall, the claim coverage is directed to an L-menthol-containing digestive tract smooth muscle contraction inhibitor emulsion defined by specific component percentages and a defined oil particle size and light transmittance rate.
Stated Advantages
Improved light transmittance rate (light transmittance rate 70% or more).
Long-term stability described as sustained function with reduced L-menthol evaporation.
Documented Applications
Temporary inhibition of smooth muscle contraction for diagnostic observation using endoscopic spraying and an endoscopic forceps channel, including suppression of gastric contraction in anesthetized dogs.
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