Claims for Patent: 6,576,665

Summary for Patent: 6,576,665

Title:	Encapsulated calcium acetate caplet and a method for inhibiting gastrointestinal phosphorous absorption
Abstract:	A composition for inhibiting gastrointestinal absorption of phosphorous in an individual. The composition includes a quantity of calcium acetate sufficient to bind the phosphorous in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual. The calcium acetate has a bulk density of between 0.50 kg/L and 0.80 kg/L and is dimensioned to form a caplet for fitting within a capsule in a manner that optimizes the volume of the capsule. Also provided is a method for administering the calcium acetate composition of the present invention to an individual to reduce phosphorous absorption by binding with the phosphorous in their gastrointestinal tract.
Inventor(s):	Dennett, Jr.; Edmund V. (Milton, MA), Raleigh, Jr.; Robert M. (Pembroke, MA), Aronson; Bruce H. (Sharon, MA)
Assignee:	Braintree Laboratories, Inc. (Braintree, MA)
Application Number:	09/824,949
Patent Litigation and PTAB cases:	See patent lawsuits and PTAB cases for patent 6,576,665
Patent Claims:	1. A composition for binding phosphorous within the gastrointestinal tract of an individual, the composition comprising: a quantity of calcium acetate sufficient to bind the phosphorous in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual, the calcium acetate having a bulk density of between about 0.55 kg/L and about 0.75 kg/L, and where the quantity of calcium acetate is compressed to form a caplet for fitting within a capsule in a manner which optimizes the volume of the capsule, and where at least about 85% of said compressed calcium acetate dissolves in not more than 15 minutes when tested according to USP standard #24, test #711 at 50 to 100 RPM, apparatus 1 or 2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the quantity of calcium acetate is a dosage amount equivalent to approximately 667 mg of calcium acetate, anhydrous basis. 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the calcium acetate has a bulk density of between 0.60 kg/L and 0.70 kg/L. 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the calcium acetate is dimensioned to form a caplet for fitting within a volume defined by #0 size capsule in a manner that optimizes the volume of the capsule. 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein 667 mg of anhydrous calcium acetate are dimensioned to form the caplet for fitting within the volume defined by #0 size capsule. 6. The composition of claim 4, wherein 708 mg of monohydrous calcium acetate are dimensioned to form the caplet for fitting within the volume defined by #0 size capsule. 7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the calcium acetate is dimensioned to form a caplet for fitting within a volume defined by #2 size capsule in a manner that optimizes the volume of the capsule. 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein 333.3 mg of anhydrous calcium acetate are dimensioned to form the caplet for fitting within the volume defined by #2 size capsule. 9. The composition of claim 4, wherein 354 mg of monohydrous calcium acetate are dimensioned to form the caplet for fitting within the volume defined by #2 size capsule. 10. A composition for absorbing phosphorous within the gastrointestinal tract of an individual, the composition comprising: approximately 667 mg calcium acetate, anhydrous basis, having a bulk density of between about 0.55 kg/L and about 0.75 kg/L, and where the calcium acetate is compressed to form a caplet for fitting within the volume of a #0 capsule, and where at least about 85% of said compressed calcium acetate dissolves in not more than 15 minutes when tested according to USP standard #24, test #711 at 50 to 100 RPM, apparatus 1 or 2. 11. A composition for absorbing phosphorous within the gastrointestinal tract of an individual, the composition comprising: approximately 333.5 mg of calcium acetate, anhydrous basis, having a bulk density of between about 0.55 kg/L and about 0.75 kg/L, said calcium acetate being compressed to form a caplet for fitting within a volume of a #2 size capsule, and where at least about 85% of said calcium acetate in said capsule dissolves in not more than 15 minutes when tested according to USP #24, test #711 at 50 to 100 RPM, apparatus 1 or 2. 12. A method for binding phosphorous in the gastrointestinal tract of an individual, the method comprising at least the step of: administering a composition for binding phosphorous, the composition comprising a quantity of calcium acetate sufficient to bind with the phosphorous in the gastrointestinal tract of the individual, the calcium acetate having a hulk density of between about 0.55 kg/L and about 0.75 kg/L, and being compressed to form a caplet for fitting within a capsule in a manner which optimizes the volume of the capsule, and where at least about 85% of said calcium acetate in said capsule dissolves in not more than 15 minutes when tested according to USP #24, test #711 at 50 to 100 RPM, apparatus 1 or 2. 13. The method for binding phosphorous in the gastrointestinal tract of an individual according to claim 12, wherein about 667 mg of calcium acetate, anhydrous basics, having a bilk density of between about 0.55 kg/L and about 0.75 kg/L, is compressed to form a caplet for fitting within a volume defined by #0 size capsule. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the calcium acetate has a bulk density of between 0.60 kg/L and 0.70 kg/L. 15. The method for binding phosphorous in the gastrointestinal tract of an individual according to claim 12, wherein 335.5 mg of calcium acetate, anhydrous basis, having a bulk density of between about 0.55 kg/L and about 0.75 kg/L, is compressed to form a caplet for fitting within a volume defined by #2 size capsule.