The patent pending hydrogel technology delivers the contents of drugs and medicines after reaching the small intestine, thus allowing the medicine to move through the stomach unharmed and eliminating undesirable side effects some medicines can cause. The nontoxic hydrogel component chemistry has no effect on drugs and medicines being delivered.

There are numerous embodiments listed in the patent filings. Depending on the application, and the specific modification utilized, the modified alginate hydrogels function differently.

The hydrogels can be modified to increase or decrease the speed at which they move through the small intestine and diffuse their contents. Where maximum time release is required the hydrogels can be coated with a naturally derived mucoadhesive polymer in order to slow the diffusion process. This polymer coating can be of varying thicknesses thereby controlling the diffusion rate for a specific application.

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) and other non-prescription pain relief medications can cause upset stomach, nausea, and stomach ulcers, which is largely responsible for Tylenol (acetaminophen) being created and becoming the non-prescription medication of choice by most physicians. RSI’s hydrogel technology eliminates the problems associated with aspirin and its effect on the stomach. Tylenol (acetaminophen), on the other hand, has been known to cause liver problems if taken too frequently.

The chemistry of the hydrogel enhances shelf life longevity by acting as a barrier against oxidation and degradation. The hermetically sealed individual pouches or straws act as a second line of defense against oxidation, a critical feature for emergency medications that must be stored/stockpiled, such as potassium iodide, a prophylactic for radioactive iodine exposure, typically from nuclear reactor leakage or contamination.

A wide variety of medicines must be given to large and small animals on a regular basis, and due to the taste or smell of the medicine, animals often reject it. Cats in particular are not easily given pills of any kind.

In addition, equine dewormers are required to be administered 3-4 times yearly in order to maintain good health and performance. These dewormers are currently delivered in a paste form placed in the back of the horse’s mouth using a syringe-type device. This delivery technique can be awkward and problematic for the handler. It is also inefficient because the horse spits out an unknown amount of paste making the actual amount given questionable.

RSI’s patented hydrogels, which are tasteless and odorless, can contain a wide range of medications and dietary supplements, and be embedded in a “treat” or other food form palatable to the animal. This hydrogel technology is adjustable to accommodate different drug dosages based on veterinary recommendations related to animal weight.

Probiotics are living micro-organisms essential to our health and well-being. The field of probiotics is advancing in the scientific and medical communities, and consumer acceptance has grown exponentially. The future growth of probiotic sales in this country and worldwide is projected to be in double digits and in the billions of dollars. Probiotics are defined as living micro-organisms that naturally reside in the human intestine. Scientific research has recently established that they are vital to a properly functioning immune system and to overall physical well-being and mental health. Through a variety of factors such as disease or the use of antibiotics, the normal balance of “good” versus “bad” bacteria in the intestine can be damaged or seriously impaired, and can be fatal if not successfully treated. These imbalances in the microbiome of the intestine have been shown to have other profound effects. These imbalances can be successfully addressed and treated through the use of probiotics.

The major problem with all probiotics manufactured in the world today is most are unable to survive in the acidic pH of the stomach, and cannot fulfill their goal of colonizing in the gut, and do not reach the small intestine alive. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is the equivalent to our FDA, does not allow for the word “probiotic” to be used in describing these bacteria unless manufacturers can prove the bacteria are alive when taken by the consumer. Consequently, there are currently no “probiotic labeled” products on the market in EU countries. This creates another opportunity for RSI’s hydrogel technology.

Given the distinct advantages of RSI’s new delivery system, live probiotics can be delivered to the small intestine without being destroyed by stomach acids. This particular application holds the promise of a significant increase in health benefits, as well as a clear marketing advantage over existing probiotic manufacturers worldwide.