Oral delivery vehicle and material

Abstract

Compositions for an oral delivery vehicle are described as well as methods for their manufacture and administration. The oral delivery vehicles can be made in any size or shape and can further comprise a medicament or other substance or object to be orally delivered. The vehicle can, for example, take the form of a pouch or capsule. Alternatively, a medicament or other substance to be orally delivered can be coated with the composition. In another alternative, the medicament or other substance to be orally delivered can be dispersed within a matrix of the composition. The compositions for the oral delivery vehicle are also suitable for use as an animal food or treat or use as a hunting bait or lure.

1 - 62 . (canceled) 
   
   
       63 . An oral delivery vehicle comprising:
 a shape formed of a flexible and resilient material, the material comprising:   about 30 to about 95 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade carbohydrate;   about 3 to about 50 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade protein; and   about 1 to about 10 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade water-soluble gum; and   an effective amount of a medicament to be orally delivered, wherein the shape is suitable for oral administration to an animal.   
   
   
       64 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the material comprises about 50 wt % to about 90 wt % of the carbohydrate and about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % of the protein, on a solids basis. 
   
   
       65 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the carbohydrate is a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a polysaccharide, a starch, or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       66 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the protein is casein, whey protein, gelatin, gluten, soy protein, albumin, or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       67 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the carbohydrate is glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, cellobiose, glycerol, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, and/or potato starch; and wherein the protein is casein, whey protein, gelatin, gluten, soy protein, albumin, or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       68 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the water-soluble gum is xanthan gum, carrageenan, guar gum, locust bean gum, arabinogalactan, gum arabic, agar, pectin, or a mixture thereof. 
   
   
       69 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the material comprises sucrose, gelatin, sodium alginate, locust bean gum, calcium chloride, starch, sodium benzoate, and sodium metaphosphate. 
   
   
       70 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 69 , comprising about 5 to about 15% sucrose, about 10 to about 30% gelatin, about 1 to about 5% sodium alginate, about 1 to about 5% locust bean gum, about 0.1 to about 1% calcium chloride, about 1 to about 5% starch, about 1 to about 3% sodium benzoate and about 1 to about 3% sodium metaphosphate. 
   
   
       71 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the material comprises sucrose, gelatin, sodium alginate, calcium chloride, starch, and sodium metaphosphate. 
   
   
       72 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the material comprises gelatin, sucrose, sodium alginate, corn starch, locust bean gum, and sodium metaphosphate. 
   
   
       73 . The vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the material comprises about 40 to about 50 wt % water, about 25 to about 40 wt % carbohydrate, about 0.1 to about 5 wt % gum, and about 5 to about 15 wt % protein. 
   
   
       74 . The vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the material comprises about 44 wt % water, 11 wt % gelatin, about 8 wt % sucrose, about 2 wt % sodium alginate, about 1 wt % corn starch, about 1 wt % locust bean gum, about 1 wt % sodium metaphosphate, less than about 1 wt % calcium chloride, about 2 wt % scent/flavor, about 1 wt % food coloring, and about 1 wt % food preservative. 
   
   
       75 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the vehicle is a chewable pouch or a capsule. 
   
   
       76 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the vehicle is a matrix with the medicament suspended therein. 
   
   
       77 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the vehicle is suitable as an animal food or treat. 
   
   
       78 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the medicament is coated with the material. 
   
   
       79 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the vehicle is compounded or constructed such that the medicament is time-released from the vehicle. 
   
   
       80 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the medicament includes at least one drug or vaccine. 
   
   
       81 . The oral delivery vehicle of  claim 63 , wherein the vehicle defines a cavity for containing the medicament. 
   
   
       82 . A method for delivering a medicament to an animal comprising administering the oral delivery vehicle to a subject 
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein the subject comprises a domestic animal or wildlife. 
   
   
       84 . A method for making an oral delivery device comprising:
 (a) admixing about 30 to about 95 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade carbohydrate; about 3 to about 50 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade protein; about 1 to about 10 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade water-soluble gum; and an effective amount of a medicament to be orally delivered;   (b) molding the admixture into a desired shape; and   (c) curing the composition to produce a shaped article.   
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising contacting the shaped article with the same or different medicament. 
   
   
       86 . A method for making an oral delivery device comprising:
 (a) admixing about 30 to about 95 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade carbohydrate; about 3 to about 50 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade protein; and about 1 to about 10 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade water-soluble gum;   (b) molding the admixture into a desired shape;   (c) curing the composition to produce a shaped article; and   (d) contacting the shaped article with an effective amount of a medicament to be orally delivered.   
   
   
       87 . A hunting bait or hunting lure comprising a material comprising:
 about 30 to about 95 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade carbohydrate;   about 3 to about 50 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade protein; and   about 1 to about 10 wt % on a solids basis of at least one natural or food grade water-soluble gum.