Sustained release beads and suspensions including the same for sustained delivery of active ingredients

Abstract

Sustained-released beads providing active ingredients over an extended period of time to an individual orally ingesting the sustained release beads. The sustained-release beads can be part of a suspension wherein the sustained-release beads are suspended and evenly dispersed in the suspension. Binding agents are used to form the structural framework of the sustained released beads and retain the active ingredients without chemical or electrical bonding. The components of the dispersion medium are GRAS designated, making the suspension suitable for use as a food product.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A suspension comprising:
 one or more sustained sustained-release beads consisting of:
 a core including one or more active ingredients and optionally water; and 
 at least one coating layer encapsulating the core; and 
   a dispersion medium comprising:
 an aqueous solution; and 
 one or more thickening agents. 
   
     
     
         2 . The suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of stimulants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of proteins, amino acids, hormones, organic acids, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension of  claim 1 , wherein the coating layer includes a polymer coating, a resin coating, or a lipid coating. 
     
     
         7 . The suspension of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more sustained release beads comprises from 40 to 90 wt % of the one or more active ingredients and from 10 to 40 wt % of the at least one coating layer. 
     
     
         8 . A suspension consisting essentially of:
 one or more sustained sustained-release beads having a core including one or more active ingredients and optionally water; and at least one coating layer encapsulating the core; and   a dispersion medium including an aqueous solution, and one or more thickening agents.   
     
     
         9 . The suspension of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         10 . The suspension of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         11 . The suspension of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of stimulants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The suspension of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of proteins, amino acids, hormones, organic acids, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The suspension of  claim 8 , wherein the coating layer includes a polymer coating, a resin coating, or a lipid coating. 
     
     
         14 . The suspension of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more sustained release beads comprises from 40 to 90 wt % of the one or more active ingredients and from 10 to 40 wt % of the at least one coating layer. 
     
     
         15 . A suspension consisting of:
 one or more sustained sustained-release bead having a core including one or more active ingredient and optionally water; and at least one coating layer encapsulating the core; and   a dispersion medium including an aqueous solution, and one or more thickening agents.   
     
     
         16 . The suspension of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         17 . The suspension of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         18 . The suspension of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of stimulants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The suspension of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of proteins, amino acids, hormones, organic acids, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The suspension of  claim 15 , wherein each of the one or more sustained release beads comprises from 40 to 90 wt % of the one or more active ingredients and from 10 to 40 wt % of the at least one coating layer.