Derivative works — US Patent 7670612B2

Defensive Disclosure of Derivative Technologies

Publication Date: May 1, 2026
Reference Patent: U.S. Patent 7,670,612 B2 ("the '612 patent")
Purpose: This document discloses novel and non-obvious variations, extensions, and applications of the core technology described in the '612 patent. The intent is to place these concepts in the public domain, thereby creating prior art to preclude patenting of these and obvious future variations by third parties. The disclosures herein are described to a level of detail sufficient to enable a Person Having Ordinary Skill in the Art (PHOSITA) to practice the inventions.

Part 1: Derivatives of Core Embodiment (Based on Claim 1)

The core embodiment is a multi-compartment hard-shell capsule containing at least two different ingredients (nutraceutical, vitamin, supplement, or mineral) in different physical states (e.g., solid/liquid).

1.1. Material & Component Substitution

1.1.1. pH-Triggered, Dual-Release Hydrogel Capsule

Enabling Description: A multi-compartment capsule is constructed wherein the outer hard shell is composed of pullulan, a polysaccharide polymer offering a superior oxygen barrier compared to gelatin or HPMC. The interior is divided into two compartments by a separating membrane made of a pH-sensitive, cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogel. Compartment A contains an oil-soluble nutraceutical (e.g., Coenzyme Q10) suspended in a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. Compartment B contains a solid, enteric-coated micro-tablet of a mineral (e.g., zinc gluconate). Upon ingestion, the pullulan shell dissolves rapidly in the stomach (<5 minutes), releasing the enteric-coated micro-tablet from Compartment B for later dissolution in the intestine. The liquid from Compartment A is also released. The PAA hydrogel separator, initially intact in the stomach's low pH, swells and dissolves upon entry into the higher pH environment of the small intestine, ensuring no material cross-contamination occurs until after initial gastric transit.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Capsule Cross-Section
        A[Pullulan Outer Shell] --> B{Compartment A: Liquid};
        A --> C{Compartment B: Solid};
        B -- "PAA Hydrogel Separator (pH-sensitive)" --- C;
    end

    subgraph Ingestion Sequence
        D(Ingestion) --> E{Stomach (pH 1-3)};
        E --> F[Pullulan Shell Dissolves];
        F --> G[Compartment B micro-tablet released];
        F --> H[Compartment A liquid released];
        E --> I{Small Intestine (pH > 6)};
        I --> J[PAA Separator Dissolves];
    end

1.2. Operational Parameter Expansion

1.2.1. Cryogenic Bio-preservation Canister

Enabling Description: A large-format (50-250 mL) cylindrical canister for cryogenic preservation of biological materials, derived from the '612 patent's architecture. The canister body is fabricated from a medical-grade polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer, capable of withstanding temperatures down to -196°C. It is divided into two hermetically sealed compartments by a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) diaphragm. Compartment A is filled with a suspension of living cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells) in a vitrifying cryopreservative liquid (e.g., glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide solution). Compartment B contains lyophilized (freeze-dried) growth factors and differentiation cytokines in a porous, sintered ceramic matrix. The canister is designed for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen. For use, a specialized hydraulic press apparatus punctures the titanium diaphragm, allowing the liquid cryopreservative to solubilize the lyophilized factors in Compartment B at a controlled rate immediately before thawing and cell culture.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Cryo-Canister
        Shell[PEEK Body (-196°C tolerant)]
        Compartment_A[Compartment A: Stem Cells in Cryo-Liquid]
        Compartment_B[Compartment B: Lyophilized Growth Factors (Solid)]
        Separator[Ti-6Al-4V Diaphragm]

        Shell --> Compartment_A
        Shell --> Compartment_B
        Compartment_A --- Separator --- Compartment_B
    end

    subgraph Activation Sequence
        A(Storage in LN2) --> B(Removal from Storage);
        B --> C{Place in Activation Press};
        C --> D[Hydraulic Ram Punctures Diaphragm];
        D --> E[Cryo-Liquid floods Compartment B];
        E --> F[Growth Factors Solubilize];
        F --> G(Ready for Thawing Protocol);
    end

1.3. Cross-Domain Application

1.3.1. Aerospace: Self-Healing Composite Matrix Actuator

Enabling Description: An application for self-healing aerospace composites. Micro-capsules, on the order of 10-100 micrometers in diameter, are dispersed within a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structural component. Each micro-capsule is a multi-compartment system based on the '612 architecture. The shell is a brittle urea-formaldehyde polymer. Compartment A contains a liquid epoxy resin precursor (e.g., a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A). Compartment B contains a solid, powdered amine-based curing agent. When a micro-crack propagates through the CFRP matrix, it ruptures the brittle shell of the embedded micro-capsules. This action releases the liquid resin and solid hardener, which spontaneously mix via capillary action within the crack plane. The subsequent polymerization reaction seals the crack, restoring structural integrity to the component.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

sequenceDiagram
    participant CFRP Matrix
    participant Micro-capsule
    participant Crack

    Crack->>Micro-capsule: Propagation & Rupture
    Micro-capsule-->>CFRP Matrix: Release Liquid Resin (Compartment A)
    Micro-capsule-->>CFRP Matrix: Release Solid Hardener (Compartment B)
    Note over CFRP Matrix: Resin & Hardener mix via capillary action
    CFRP Matrix->>CFRP Matrix: Polymerization & Crack Healing

1.3.2. AgTech: Dual-Phase Soil Remediation Pellet

Enabling Description: A biodegradable pellet for agricultural soil remediation, designed for dispersal by standard farm equipment. The pellet's outer shell is composed of polylactic acid (PLA) blended with lignosulfonates, designed to degrade over a 90-120 day period. Inside, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film separates two compartments. Compartment A contains a liquid formulation of chelating agents (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA) designed to mobilize heavy metals in contaminated soil. Compartment B contains a solid, granular matrix of biochar impregnated with a consortium of metal-sequestering bacteria (e.g., Bacillus subtilis). Following rainfall or irrigation, the PVA film dissolves, allowing the liquid chelating agent to diffuse into the surrounding soil. This is followed by the slower release of the bacteria-impregnated biochar as the outer PLA shell degrades, enabling the microbes to absorb the now-mobilized heavy metals.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

graph LR
    subgraph Remediation Pellet
        Shell(PLA + Lignin Shell)
        Membrane(PVA Separator)
        CompA[Compartment A: Liquid Chelator]
        CompB[Compartment B: Solid Biochar + Microbes]
        Shell --> Membrane
        Membrane --> CompA
        Membrane --> CompB
    end

    subgraph Release Timeline
        T0[Deployment] --> T1(Water Ingress);
        T1 --> T2[PVA Dissolves, Liquid Released];
        T2 --> T3(90-120 Days);
        T3 --> T4[PLA Shell Degrades, Solid Released];
    end

1.4. Integration with Emerging Tech

1.4.1. IoT-Enabled Environmental Monitor with Blockchain Verification

Enabling Description: A deployable, floating capsule for monitoring water pollutants. The capsule shell is a durable, waterproof polymer. Inside, it contains three components in two compartments. Compartment A holds a liquid reagent specific to a target pollutant (e.g., silver nitrate for chloride ions). Compartment B holds a solid-state sensor package, which includes a photodiode, a microcontroller with a LoRaWAN radio, and a small battery. A separating membrane is a wax-polymer blend with an embedded resistive heating wire. Upon receiving a remote command via LoRaWAN, the microcontroller activates the heating wire, which melts the membrane. The liquid reagent from Compartment A floods Compartment B, and the reaction with ambient water (which has entered Compartment B through a semipermeable membrane) causes a change in turbidity or color, measured by the photodiode. The sensor reading, along with a timestamp and GPS coordinate, is cryptographically signed and transmitted. Each command, reading, and capsule deployment is recorded as a transaction on a private blockchain, ensuring an immutable audit trail for environmental compliance monitoring.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

flowchart TD
    subgraph On-Chain (Blockchain)
        A[Deployment Record: Capsule ID, Location]
        B[Activation Command Record]
        C[Sensor Data Record: Signed Hash]
        A --> B --> C
    end
    subgraph Off-Chain (Physical Capsule)
        D{LoRaWAN Gateway} <--> E[Microcontroller];
        E -- Command --> F(Activate Heater);
        F -- Melts --> G[Wax-Polymer Membrane];
        G -- Allows Mixing --> H{Reagent + Water};
        H -- Reaction --> I[Turbidity/Color Change];
        I -- Measured By --> J[Photodiode];
        J -- Reading --> E;
        E -- Transmits Signed Data --> D;
    end

1.5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

1.5.1. Humidity-Indicating Safe-Fail Capsule

Enabling Description: A capsule for moisture-sensitive probiotics. Compartment A contains lyophilized probiotic bacteria (solid). Compartment B contains a liquid suspension of a non-toxic, intensely colored food dye (e.g., beet red) and a deliquescent salt (e.g., anhydrous calcium chloride). The outer shell of the capsule is made from a semi-permeable HPMC polymer engineered to have a specific water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The compartments are separated by a thin, water-soluble film. Under proper storage conditions (low humidity), the capsule remains stable and colorless. If the package is compromised and the capsule is exposed to humidity above a 40% RH threshold for a specified duration, environmental water vapor penetrates the shell. This moisture is absorbed by the deliquescent salt in Compartment B, causing it to liquefy and dissolve the separating film. The colored dye is then wicked into the lyophilized probiotic powder in Compartment A, imparting a distinct, visible color change to the capsule's contents. This provides a clear, irreversible visual indication of compromised product integrity and potential loss of probiotic viability, functioning as a fail-safe indicator.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Stable

    Stable: Probiotic (solid, white) | Dye (liquid, red, separate)
    Stable --> Compromised: High Humidity (>40% RH)

    Compromised: Water vapor ingress
    Compromised --> Failed: Separator dissolves

    Failed: Dye mixes with probiotic
    Failed --> Indication: Contents turn red

    Indication --> [*]

Part 2: Derivatives of Vitamin/Mineral Embodiment (Based on Claim 58)

The core embodiment is a multi-compartment hard-shell capsule containing at least one vitamin and at least one mineral in different physical states.

2.1. Material & Component Substitution

2.1.1. Thermally Segregated Dual-Melt Capsule

Enabling Description: A capsule designed for hot-melt filling processes. The capsule body is standard gelatin. A separating plug is co-molded from two different polymers with distinct melting points. The first polymer, sealing Compartment A, is a low-melting point polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350, m.p. ~55°C). The second polymer, sealing Compartment B, is a higher-melting point wax (Carnauba wax, m.p. ~85°C). Compartment A is filled with a hot-melt liquid suspension of Vitamin D3 in a lipid base, filled at ~60°C. This temperature is sufficient to melt and seal the PEG plug without affecting the carnauba wax. After cooling, Compartment B is filled with a hot-melt granulation of a mineral salt (e.g., magnesium citrate) suspended in a wax matrix, filled at ~90°C. This temperature melts and seals the carnauba wax plug. The result is a dual-filled capsule where each compartment is filled and sealed at a different temperature, allowing for the combination of thermally sensitive and non-sensitive ingredients.

Mermaid.js Diagram:

graph TD
    subgraph Capsule Structure
        Shell(Gelatin Capsule Body)
        Plug_A(PEG 3350 Plug, m.p. 55°C)
        Plug_B(Carnauba Wax Plug, m.p. 85°C)
        Comp_A[Compartment A: Vitamin D3 in lipid]
        Comp_B[Compartment B: Magnesium Citrate in wax]

        Shell --> Comp_A & Comp_B
        Comp_A --- Plug_A
        Comp_B --- Plug_B
    end

    subgraph Manufacturing Process
        Step1(Fill Comp A at 60°C) --> Step2(PEG Plug melts & seals);
        Step2 --> Step3(Cool);
        Step3 --> Step4(Fill Comp B at 90°C);
        Step4 --> Step5(Carnauba Plug melts & seals);
        Step5 --> Step6(Final Product);
    end

Part 3: Combination Prior Art with Open-Source Standards

This section describes how the multi-compartment capsule technology can be combined with existing open-source standards to create novel systems.

3.1. Combination with FHIR for Personalized On-Demand Compounding

Enabling Description: A hospital or clinic-based compounding pharmacy utilizes a robotic system for creating personalized multi-phase capsules. A physician's prescription is transmitted to the system's software as a FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) MedicationRequest resource. The software parses the FHIR data, identifying the required liquid vitamin for Compartment A (e.g., Vitamin K2 MK-7, identified by its RxNorm code) and the solid mineral for Compartment B (e.g., Boron Citrate powder). The system's robotic arm selects an empty two-compartment hard-shell capsule, fills the respective compartments from bulk reservoirs of standardized liquid and solid ingredients, seals the capsule, and prints a label with patient information and a QR code linking back to the FHIR resource. This creates a direct, auditable link between a patient's electronic health record and a custom-compounded, multi-phase dosage form.

3.2. Combination with OPC-UA for GMP-Compliant Manufacturing

Enabling Description: A large-scale manufacturing line for producing the vitamin/mineral capsules of Claim 58 is built using machinery that conforms to the OPC-UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) interoperability standard. The liquid vitamin filling station, the powder mineral dosing station, and the capsule sealing station each run an OPC-UA server. These servers expose a standardized data model, providing real-time variables such as fill_volume_A, fill_weight_B, seal_temperature, and rejection_count. A central Manufacturing Execution System (MES) subscribes to these variables, creating a comprehensive batch record in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This allows for precise quality control and verification that every capsule has been correctly filled with two different physical states, as any deviation (e.g., fill_weight_B is zero) is immediately flagged by the system.

3.3. Combination with RISC-V for "Smart Capsule" Ingestible Monitor

Enabling Description: A diagnostic "smart capsule" is developed based on the multi-compartment architecture. Compartment A contains a liquid vitamin formulation (e.g., Vitamin B12 in a sorbitol solution). Compartment B contains a solid-state sensor package built around an ultra-low-power microcontroller based on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture. The sensor is designed to detect a specific biomarker in the gut (e.g., hydrogen sulfide). The capsule is administered to a patient. When the capsule reaches the small intestine, the outer shell dissolves, and the sensor begins monitoring. The RISC-V processor logs sensor data to on-board memory. This demonstrates a combination of a nutritional supplement delivery system with an open-source, low-power computing core for "theranostic" (therapeutic + diagnostic) applications. The separation of the liquid therapeutic from the solid-state electronics prevents any chemical interference with the sensor's operation prior to deployment in the GI tract.