Patents

Patents

Lidocaine and Emu Oil	Emu Oil as Insect Repellant
Therapeutic Uses of Emu Oil	First World Patent

Worldwide, an increasing number of inventors, doctors, surgeons, pharmacists and veterinarians share an escalating interest in emu oil with consumers – many of whom are more than willing to share testimonials about their personal triumphs with this unique oil. And as scientists race to find just exactly how the oil works, new applications for patents on processed oil and its uses continue to emerge.

A US patent issued in July of 1995, "Anti-inflammatory Composition Derived from Emu Oil" revealed that 4 inventors had isolated a yellow-colored component from emu oil that appeared to be a least one of the active ingredients responsible for the oil’s renowned anti-inflammatory activity.

The impact of this documentation on the anti-inflammatory properties of emu oil has effects that reach far beyond emu enthusiasts. Kristi Tomlin, registered pharmacist in Blackwell, Oklahoma, acknowledges that the main problem with anti-inflammatory currently on the market is their side effects.

"The oral anti-inflammatories eventually cause stomach discomfort and irritation, which in turn leads to the other problems," she reports. "For those able to endure this irritation, the next problem is that the anti-inflammatory eventually stops working. The patient eventually builds a tolerance for the medication, leaving it ineffective."

Topical applications, too, leave much to be desired. "Most of the topical applications which require no prescription use an ingredient derived from a Mexican pepper. Although the warmth it produces contributes to relief, the products often irritate and even burn the skin," Kristi observes.

Summarily, the majority of anti-inflammatories on the market today produce side effects that are often so severe, the consumer must weigh their benefits against their side effects. However, in the case of emu oil, laboratory irritation tests conducted by Emu Ranchers Incorporated (ERI) in 1991 revealed that even at full strength, emu oil generated irritation levels so low that the results were comparable to that of water.

In laboratory and clinical tests, as well as marketing studies on new products, pure emu oil and compounds formulated with it have generated surprisingly little irritation. Even current research on the oral consumption of bacteria-free emu oil has yet to reveal adverse side effects from oil use. A pharmaceutical grade of emu oil possessing anti-inflammatory properties with minimal side effects could alleviate some of the most pressing concerns regarding the use of anti-inflammatories in the medical profession today.

Further, the 1995 patent revealed that the "biologically active yellow-coloured component may be included in topical, oral and systemic compositions for the treatment or prophylazis of musculoskeletal and/or dermatological conditions arising from inflammatory reactions of environmental or systemic origins."

Other findings elaborated on within the patent "clearly identify the yellow components in emu oil as possessing remarkable prophylactic anti0inflammatory/immuno-regulant activity, apart from their ability to modulate disease once initiated." In other words, it has the ability to arrest the onset of inflammation (such as in joints) and allow the immune system to work closer to its greatest capacity. The paten provides table after table of experiments conducted with other oils, fats, and compounds used and readily available on the market today.

Another patent, "Therapeutic Uses of Emu Oil’ was awarded in December of 1995. The patent invention abstract reveals that "emu oil is therapeutically used in methods for lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein and increasing high density lipoprotein; preventing and treating allergies; and relieving discomfort associated with menstruation. Additionally, emu oil acts as an effective chemical buffer in combination with glycolic acid."

Four more emu oil related patents were granted during 1997 alone: Compositions Comprising Lidocaine and Emu Oil and Methods of Use Thereof (Dec 16, 1997), Methods of Using Emu Oil and Active Fractions Thereof As An Insect Repellent (Oct. 14, 1997), Therapeutic Use of Emu Oil (Step 2, 1997), and Method Of Using EMU Oil As An Insect Repellent (May 6, 1997).

The 1997 patent abstracts and summaries contain some exciting findings, indicating the amazing number of applications in which emu oil may be used.

Lidocaine and Emu Oil (Top)

The patent "Compositions Comprising Lidocaine And Emu Oil And Methods of Use Thereof" was granted to inventor Daniel Rivlin of Miami Florida. The patent abstract relates that "…the present compositions and methods permit rapid and effective anesthesia of cornified skin, such that various surgeries and interventions can be performed without the need for subcutaneous injections of local anesthetics…"

Rivlin, who specialize in dermatology, says "The thing that interested me was the ability of the oil to penetrate through the skin – the transdermal penetration. And for years I had been thinking about how great it would be to have product that could be used as a vehicle to help penetrate lidocaine (an anesthetic) into the skin so that needs wouldn’t have to be used. After I was told about the oil I decided to give it a try and worked out a formulation and that’s how the patent came about."

Emu Oil as Insect Repellant (Top)

The patent "Methods Of Using Emu Oil and Active Fractions Thereof As An Inspect Repellent" was assigned to AgraQuest , Inc., Davis, California. The patent relates that its three inventors, have established a method for repelling biting insects by using a topically applied mixture containing emu oil/or diluted emu oil.

Therapeutic Uses of Emu Oil (Top)

"Therapeutic Uses of Emu Oil" US Patent # 5,662,921, was issued in September of 1997.

The patent invention abstract reveals, that "Emu oil is therapeutically used in methods for lowering cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins and increasing high density lipoproteins; and treating allergies; and relieving discomfort associated with menstruation.

Interestingly, observations in the patent assert that "it has been discovered that administration of emu oil on a regular basis results in lowering cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoproteins (LDL’s) and increasing levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL’s)." It also states that "regular use of emu oil results in improving the rate of growth and conditions of nails. Additionally emu oil can be used to prevent scarring when applied to a newly received cut or burn. It also diminishes old scars."

Further patent data may of high interest especially to women, for it relates that "stretch marks, such as those acquired during pregnancy, can be prevented by application of emu oil. Additionally, application of emu oil diminishes or completely erases existing stretch marks." The patent makes a total of 4 claims.

First World Patent (Top)

The first patent in the world pertaining to the use of emu oil preparations was awarded in 1990. This patent summarized tests whereby an active component of emu oil was demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties. Pharmaceutical compositions consisting of emu oil and dermal transport enhancing compounds were disclosed as useful topical anti-inflammatory treatments.

Interestingly, the patent recognizes that "the strong absorption of UV light in the range of 260-340nm exhibited by the emu oil would also contribute to this dermal-protecting property since radiation within this wavelength is known to be associated with connective tissue/cell damage and carcinogenesis." The patent indicates that the oil alone can be effective on topical inflammation and appears to be a natural sunscreen.