Derivative works — US Patent 7670612

Defensive Disclosure and Prior Art Generation

RE: US Patent 7,670,612
Title: Multi-phase, multi-compartment capsular delivery apparatus and methods for using same
Publication Date: May 1, 2026
Status: Public Disclosure

This document serves as a defensive publication of derivative inventions and improvements related to the art described in US Patent 7,670,612. The following disclosures are intended to enter the public domain to be used as prior art against future patent applications for trivial or obvious variations of multi-phase, multi-compartment capsule technology.

Derivative Disclosures based on Independent Claim 1

The following disclosures describe variations and new applications of a multi-compartment capsule apparatus.

Axis 1: Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Multi-Compartment Capsule with pH-Keyed Polysaccharide Hydrogel Shells for Targeted Gastrointestinal Release

Enabling Description: This variation replaces the standard gelatin or HPMC shell with a composite hydrogel material comprising a blend of pectin and chitosan. The first compartment, intended for gastric release, is constructed from a gelatin-based shell. The second, adjoining compartment is constructed from the pectin-chitosan hydrogel. The pectin-chitosan matrix is cross-linked using calcium chloride. This composite material is resistant to degradation at the low pH of the stomach (pH 1.5-3.5) but swells and dissolves at the higher pH of the small intestine (pH 6.0-7.4). This allows for a sequential release profile: the liquid ingredient (e.g., a lipid-soluble vitamin like Vitamin D in a carrier oil) in the first compartment is released in the stomach, while the solid ingredient (e.g., a probiotic bacterial powder) in the second compartment is protected from gastric acid and released in the intestine.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Capsule
        direction LR
        C1(Compartment 1: Gelatin Shell);
        C2(Compartment 2: Pectin-Chitosan Shell);
        C1 -- Adjoined --> C2;
    end

    subgraph GI Tract
        direction TB
        Stomach(Stomach, pH 2.0);
        Intestine(Intestine, pH 7.0);
        Stomach --> Intestine;
    end

    Oral[Oral Administration] --> Stomach;
    C1 -- Dissolves in --> Stomach;
    C2 -- Passes Through --> Stomach;
    C2 -- Dissolves in --> Intestine;

    style C1 fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    style C2 fill:#ccf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;

Derivative 1.2: Multi-Compartment Capsule with Electrically Actuated Polymer Membrane

Enabling Description: The partition separating the two compartments is not a static wall but an electrically-actuated membrane made from an electro-responsive polymer (ERP), such as a polyaniline-doped hydrogel. One compartment contains an ingestible micro-battery and control circuit, while the other two compartments contain the active ingredients (e.g., liquid and solid). The control circuit is pre-programmed or triggered by an external magnetic field to apply a small voltage (<<5V) across the ERP membrane. Upon actuation, the polymer undergoes a conformational change, increasing its porosity and allowing the contents of one chamber to mix with the other, or for both to be released. This enables precise, timed mixing or release independent of environmental pH or enzymes.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant ExternalDevice as External Device
    participant Capsule
    participant Microcontroller as MCU
    participant ERP_Membrane as Electro-Responsive Membrane

    ExternalDevice ->> Capsule: Transmits Magnetic Pulse Trigger
    Capsule ->> Microcontroller: Receives Trigger Signal
    Microcontroller ->> ERP_Membrane: Apply Voltage (V)
    ERP_Membrane ->> ERP_Membrane: Conformational Change (Increased Porosity)
    Note over Capsule: Contents of Chamber A and B mix/release

Derivative 1.3: Personalized 3D-Printed Multi-Material Capsule

Enabling Description: The entire capsule body and internal partitions are fabricated using multi-material fused deposition modeling (FDM) or stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. The printer uses several GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) filaments or resins with different dissolution profiles (e.g., a fast-dissolving polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a slower-dissolving ethyl cellulose, and an enteric hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate). This allows for the creation of a monolithic capsule with multiple compartments where the release time of each compartment is precisely controlled by the printed thickness and material composition of its respective walls. A patient's specific needs could dictate a custom design with, for example, four compartments releasing at 0, 1, 4, and 8 hours post-ingestion.

Mermaid Diagram:

classDiagram
    class Capsule {
        +string patientID
        +compartmentList
        +print()
    }
    class Compartment {
        -material: DissolvablePolymer
        -wallThickness: float
        -contents: Ingredient
    }
    class DissolvablePolymer {
        <<enumeration>>
        PVA
        Ethyl_Cellulose
        HPMC_Phthalate
    }
    Capsule "1" *-- "2..N" Compartment: contains
    Compartment -- DissolvablePolymer: material

Axis 2: Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Nanoscale Multi-Chamber Liposomal Vesicle

Enabling Description: The concept is scaled down to the nanoscale. A multi-lamellar liposome is synthesized to have a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) core, forming the first chamber. This SLN core contains a solid, crystalline nutraceutical (e.g., Coenzyme Q10). This core is then encapsulated by one or more phospholipid bilayers. The aqueous space between the SLN core and the outer lipid bilayer forms the second compartment, containing a water-soluble ingredient (e.g., Vitamin C). The entire structure is less than 500 nm in diameter and is administered as a colloidal suspension. Release is sequential: the outer layers are disrupted by cellular interaction, releasing the Vitamin C, followed by the slower enzymatic degradation of the solid lipid core, releasing the CoQ10.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Nanoscale Vesicle (100-500nm)
        A(Chamber 1: Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Core - CoQ10);
        B(Chamber 2: Aqueous Space - Vitamin C);
        C(Outer Shell: Phospholipid Bilayer);
        A -- Encapsulated by --> B;
        B -- Encapsulated by --> C;
    end
    style A fill:#D5F5E3
    style B fill:#EAF2F8
    style C fill:#FDEDEC

Derivative 2.2: Industrial Catalyst Delivery via High-Pressure Autoclave-Resistant Capsule

Enabling Description: The capsule is designed for industrial chemical synthesis, not human consumption. The shell is made of a high-performance thermoplastic like PEEK (polyether ether ketone), and the compartments are separated by a metallic rupture disc (e.g., thin-film stainless steel). Chamber 1 contains a solid catalyst (e.g., powdered palladium on carbon). Chamber 2 contains a liquid reaction initiator or promoter (e.g., an organic peroxide). The capsule is introduced into a high-pressure ( > 100 bar) and high-temperature ( > 200°C) reaction vessel. The specific pressure and temperature of the reaction process cause the rupture disc to fail predictably, releasing the initiator into the catalyst chamber and commencing the reaction at a precise moment in the process.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Sealed
    Sealed: Chamber 1 (Solid Catalyst), Chamber 2 (Liquid Initiator)
    Sealed --> Ruptured: Event(T > 200C, P > 100bar)
    Ruptured: Rupture disc fails, contents mix.
    Ruptured --> Reaction: Initiator contacts Catalyst
    Reaction --> [*]

Axis 3: Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Aerospace Application - Two-Part Epoxy Delivery for In-Situ Repair

Enabling Description: A multi-compartment capsule for repairing micro-cracks in composite materials on spacecraft or aircraft. The capsule, shaped as a micro-rod, has two chambers. The first contains an epoxy resin (liquid) and the second contains a hardener (liquid or paste). These capsules are embedded within the composite material matrix during manufacturing. When a crack propagates through the composite, it ruptures the capsules in its path. The rupturing of the separating membrane between the chambers allows the resin and hardener to mix via capillary action and subsequently cure, autonomously healing the crack. The capsule shell is made of a material, like borosilicate glass, that fractures cleanly upon crack propagation.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph LR
    A(Composite Matrix) -- contains --> B(Embedded Capsule);
    subgraph B
        C1(Chamber 1: Epoxy Resin);
        C2(Chamber 2: Hardener);
        M(Separating Membrane);
        C1 -- M -- C2;
    end
    D(Crack Propagation) -- fractures --> B;
    B -- releases --> E(Mixed Epoxy);
    E -- cures to --> F(Healed Crack);
    A -- is repaired by --> F;

Derivative 3.2: AgTech Application - Symbiotic Biphasic Nutrient and Microbe Delivery System

Enabling Description: A biodegradable capsule for agricultural use, planted with a seed. The capsule has two compartments separated by a semi-permeable membrane made of polylactic acid (PLA) with a specific porosity. Chamber 1 contains solid-phase, slow-release fertilizer pellets (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). Chamber 2 contains a liquid suspension of beneficial microbes (e.g., Rhizobium bacteria or mycorrhizal fungi). After planting, ground moisture slowly permeates the outer shell. The water first activates the microbes. The semi-permeable membrane allows dissolved nutrients from the fertilizer side to slowly diffuse into the microbe side, providing sustenance for the microbes as they colonize the seedling's root system. This creates a symbiotic micro-environment for enhanced plant growth.

Mermaid Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant SoilMoisture
    participant Capsule
    participant Chamber_A as Chamber A (Fertilizer)
    participant Chamber_B as Chamber B (Microbes)
    participant PlantRoot

    SoilMoisture->>Capsule: Permeates outer shell
    Capsule->>Chamber_B: Activates dormant microbes
    Chamber_A->>Chamber_B: Nutrients diffuse via semi-permeable membrane
    Chamber_B->>PlantRoot: Microbes colonize root system
    PlantRoot->>PlantRoot: Enhanced nutrient uptake

Axis 4: Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: IoT-Enabled Capsule for Real-Time Adherence Monitoring

Enabling Description: An edible, multi-compartment capsule that includes a third, inert chamber containing an ingestible event marker (IEM) sensor. The sensor is powered by an electrolyte-activated galvanic cell that becomes active upon contact with stomach fluid. The outer shells of the two active ingredient chambers are made of materials with different dissolution times. When the first compartment dissolves in the stomach, the IEM is activated and transmits a unique, low-power signal (e.g., via NFC) to a wearable patch on the patient's skin. When the second, delayed-release compartment dissolves hours later in the intestine, a conductive trace embedded in its shell breaks, causing a change in the impedance of the sensor's circuit. This impedance change is detected and transmitted as a second, distinct signal. The data is relayed from the patch to a smartphone app and a clinician's dashboard, providing verified data on both ingestion time and the release time of each component.

Mermaid Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph DataFlow
        A(Capsule Ingested) --> B{Stomach};
        B --> C[Compartment 1 Dissolves];
        C --> D[IEM Sensor Activated];
        D -- NFC --> E(Wearable Patch);
        B --> F{Intestine};
        F --> G[Compartment 2 Dissolves];
        G --> H[Impedance Change Detected];
        H -- NFC --> E;
        E -- Bluetooth --> I(Smartphone App);
        I -- Internet --> J(Clinician Dashboard);
    end

Derivative 4.3: Blockchain-Verified Capsule with DNA-Based Tracer

Enabling Description: To combat counterfeiting of high-value supplements, the multi-compartment capsule is enhanced with a non-fungible traceability marker. Chamber 1 contains the active liquid ingredient. Chamber 2 contains the active solid ingredient. A third, very small chamber contains a powder of microparticles encapsulating a unique, synthetic, non-biological DNA sequence. This DNA sequence acts as a unique identifier for the manufacturing batch. At the point of manufacture, the hash of this DNA sequence is registered on a distributed ledger (blockchain). A consumer or regulator can dissolve the capsule in a buffer, extract the DNA tracer, sequence it using a portable sequencer (e.g., MinION), and verify the sequence's hash against the public blockchain record to confirm authenticity and provenance.

Mermaid Diagram:

flowchart LR
    subgraph Manufacturer
        A(Create DNA Tracer) --> B(Insert into Capsule);
        A --> C{Hash(DNA_Sequence)};
        C --> D[Write Hash to Blockchain];
    end
    subgraph Consumer
        E(Receive Capsule) --> F(Dissolve & Extract DNA);
        F --> G(Sequence DNA);
        G --> H{Hash(DNA_Sequence)};
        H -- Compare --> I((Blockchain Record));
    end
    D -- Public Ledger --> I;
    I -- Verification --> J(Authentic/Counterfeit);

Axis 5: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Fail-Safe Neutralizing Capsule for Potent Botanicals

Enabling Description: This capsule is designed for delivering potent compounds where an accidental overdose from crushing or chewing the capsule is a risk (e.g., concentrated herbal extracts). Chamber 1 contains the potent liquid botanical extract. Chamber 2 contains a solid, high-adsorption material like activated charcoal or a reactive neutralizing agent (e.g., sodium bicarbonate for an acidic compound). The two chambers are separated by a fragile, brittle membrane. Under normal oral administration, the outer shell dissolves and the chambers release their contents sequentially. However, if the capsule is crushed (subjected to mechanical failure), the internal membrane fractures, causing the potent liquid to immediately mix with the neutralizing/adsorbing agent in Chamber 2, rendering it inert or poorly absorbed before it can cause harm.

Mermaid Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    state "Normal Operation" as Normal {
        [*] --> Swallowed
        Swallowed --> Gastric_Release_C1
        Gastric_Release_C1 --> Intestinal_Release_C2
        Intestinal_Release_C2 --> [*]
    }
    state "Failure Mode" as Failure {
        [*] --> Crushed
        Crushed --> Internal_Mixing: Brittle membrane fractures
        Internal_Mixing --> Neutralized: Potent liquid adsorbs to charcoal
        Neutralized --> [*]
    }

Combination Prior Art with Open-Source Standards

Combination with FHIR Standard for Automated Personalized Dosing: The 3D-printed multi-material capsule (Derivative 1.3) is combined with the Health Level Seven International (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard. A patient's electronic health record (EHR), structured using FHIR resources (e.g., Observation for lab results, MedicationRequest for prescriptions), is accessed by a secure pharmacy-based application. The application's logic, based on pharmacokinetics, determines the optimal dosage and release profile for multiple supplements. It then automatically generates a G-code file tailored to print a specific capsule geometry using the necessary GRAS polymers, directly linking clinical data to a personalized, manufactured dosage form.
Combination with MQTT Protocol for Smart Capsule Data Transmission: The IoT-enabled capsule (Derivative 4.1) utilizes the ISO standard MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol for communication. The ingestible sensor, upon event detection (dissolution of a compartment), acts as an MQTT client. It publishes a lightweight message with a specific topic (e.g., patient/A4B2/capsule/event1) to an MQTT broker running on the wearable patch. The smartphone app subscribes to this topic. This use of a standard, low-overhead, publish/subscribe protocol ensures reliable data transmission from a power-constrained device and allows for interoperability with various health platforms.
Combination with Arduino Open-Source Hardware for DIY Bio-Hacking: The core principles of the multi-compartment capsule are adapted for use by the "do-it-yourself biology" (DIY-Bio) community. An open-source design for a two-chamber capsule mold is released on a platform like Thingiverse. The design is compatible with home-grade silicone molding techniques. Instructions are provided for creating separating membranes using standard food-grade materials. The system is designed to be controlled by an Arduino microcontroller, which could actuate a small servo to combine the contents of the two chambers in a home bioreactor for experiments in timed-release nutrient delivery to cell cultures or fermentation batches, democratizing the technology beyond commercial manufacturing.