Patents Examined by James M. Spear
  • System for delaying drug delivery up to seven hours
    Patent number: 6764697
    Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising means for delaying the delivery of drug from the dosage form following the administration of the dosage form to a patient in need of drug therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Jao, Patrick S. -L. Wong, Hoa T. Huynh, Kathy Mc Chesney, Pamela K. Wat
  • Effervescent drug delivery system for oral administration
    Patent number: 6764696
    Abstract: The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise orally administerable dosage forms that use effervescence as a penetration enhancer for drugs known, or suspected, of having poor bioavailability. Effervescence can occur in the stomach, once the tablet or other dosage form is ingested. In addition to effervescence in the stomach, or as alternative technique, by the use of appropriate coatings and other techniques, the effervescence can occur in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including, but not limited to, the esophagus, duodenum, and colon. The site of effervescence and drug release is chosen to correspond with the segment of the gastrointestinal tract displaying maximal absorption of the formulated drug, or to gain some other therapeutic advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Cima Labs Inc.
    Inventors: S. Indiran Pather, Joseph R. Robinson, Jonathan D. Eichman, Rajendra K. Khankari, John Hontz, Sangeeta V. Gupte
  • Tablet and process for producing tablets
    Patent number: 6764695
    Abstract: A tablet including active substance affected by lubricant, wherein the tablet is comprised of compressed mixture of active substance and adjuvant except for lubricant, and lubricant exists only on the surface of the tablet but is not included in the tablet. Such a tablet production method comprising the steps of producing mixture of active substance affected by lubricant and adjuvant, mixing lubricant powder with positive pulsating vibration air for dispersion, spraying the lubricant powder dispersed by the positive vibration air on a lower surface of an upper punch, an upper surface of a lower punch and an inner circumferential wall of a die, and tabletting the mixture by means of the upper and lower punches and the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Watanabe, Kiyoshi Morimoto, Yuji Iwase
  • Pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of acute disorders
    Patent number: 6761910
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of acute disorders is described. The composition comprises an essentially water-free, ordered mixture of at least one pharmaceutically active agent in the form of microparticles which are adhered to the surfaces of carrier particles which are substantially larger than the particles of the active agent or agents, and are essentially water-soluble, in combination with the bioadhesion and/or mucoadhesion promoting agent. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the composition and to the use of the composition for the treatment of acute disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Diabact AB
    Inventors: Anders Pettersson, Christer Nystrom
  • Clear oil-containing pharmaceutical compositions containing a therapeutic agent
    Patent number: 6761903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for improved solubilization of triglycerides and improved delivery of therapeutic agents. Compositions of the present invention include a carrier, where the carrier is formed from a combination of a triglyceride and at least two surfactants, at least one of which is hydrophilic. Upon dilution with an aqueous medium, the carrier forms a clear, aqueous dispersion of the triglyceride and surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lipocine, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng-Jing Chen, Mahesh V. Patel, David T. Fikstad
  • Process for the preparation of direct tabletting formulations and aids
    Patent number: 6761905
    Abstract: A thermal adhesion granulation process for preparing direct tabletting formulations or aids is disclosed. The process comprises the step of subjecting all or part of a mixture comprising: A) from about 5 to about 99% by weight of one or more diluent excipients and/or from 0 to about 99% by weight of a pharmaceutically active ingredient; B) from about 1 to about 95% by weight of a binder excipient; optionally with, C) from 0 to about 10% by weight of a disintegrant excipient; to heating at a temperature in the range of from about 30 to about 130° C. under the condition of low moisture or low content of a pharmaceutically-acceptable organic solvent in a closed system under mixing by tumble rotation until the formation of granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Wei Ming Pharmaceutical Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ta-Shuong Yeh, Daniel Hungting Yeh
  • Fentanyl composition for the treatment of acute pain
    Patent number: 6759059
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of acute pain by sublingual administration is described. The composition comprises an essentially water-free, ordered mixture of fentanyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the form of microparticles which are adhered to the surface of carrier particles which are substantially larger than the particles of fentanyl, and are essentially water-soluble. In a preferred embodiment, the composition also contains a bioadhesion and/or mucoadhesion promoting agent. The invention also relates to the preparation of the composition, and to the use of the composition for the treatment of acute pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Diabact AB
    Inventors: Anders Pettersson, Christer Nystrom, Hans Lennernas, Bo Lennernas, Thomas Hedner
  • Treatment of Parkinson's disease and related disorders by novel formulations of the combination carbidopa-levodopa
    Patent number: 6756056
    Abstract: An oral antiparkinson drug delivery system consisting of carbidopa and levodopa in immediate and sustained release compartments provides a significant clinical advantage over currently available carbidopa-levodopa preparations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Alan A. Rubin
  • Sustained release drug delivery devices with multiple agents
    Patent number: 6756058
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved sustained release drug delivery device for delivering multiple agents comprising a drug core, a unitary cup, and a permeable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael J. Brubaker, Ramesh Krishnamoorthy, Pavlos Papadopoulos
  • Bioadhesive, closed-cell foam film, sustained release, delivery devices and methods of making and using same
    Patent number: 6756051
    Abstract: Bioadhesive, closed-cell foam film, sustained release, delivery devices for administering an active agent or combination of active agents to a subject are provided. Methods for making such delivery devices and to methods for using such delivery devices offering the controlled and sustained release of an active agent or combination of active agents to a subject, preferably a near zero-order release, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Li-Lan H. Chen, Li Tao, Alfred Liang, Xu Zheng
  • Combined diffusion/osmotic pumping drug delivery system
    Patent number: 6753011
    Abstract: Delivery devices capable of delivering one or more active substances by diffusion through plural micropores in the membrane (4) or by osmotic pumping through one or more preformed passageways (5) in the membrane are provided. The device (1) has an about centrally located expandable core (2) completely surrounded by an active substance-containing layer (3), which is completely surrounded by the membrane. The device is capable of delivering insoluble, slightly soluble, sparingly soluble and very soluble active substances to an environment of use. The preferred delivery rate is zero order. The device can deliver an active substance for a period of about 12-24 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Osmotica Corp
    Inventor: Joaquina Faour
  • Soft gelatin capsule containing angelica oil
    Patent number: 6753010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft gelation capsule containing angelica essential oil which consists of capsule material and medicinal oil. Wherein the medicinal oil consists of angelica essential oil and vegetable oil with a weight ratio of 1:0-30. The capsule materials consist of gelatin, glycerol, water and Fe2O3. Among them angelica essential oil is preferably prepared with the method of CO2-supercritical extraction. The soft gelation capsule containing angelica essential oil retains ligustilide as a principal active constituent in angelica essential oil with a maximal limitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Shandong Luye Phamaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Liu, Guisheng Li, Chengjun Ma, Sheng Yan, Xiangyu Li
  • Method to obtain microparticles
    Patent number: 6753014
    Abstract: Method of obtaining microparticles. A method for the preparation of homogeneous microparticles containing a pharmaceutically active substance by a spray freezing technique wherein the medium to be atomized into droplets has a high dry content and comprises besides the active substance a polymer and a liquid (in which the polymer may be soluble) in which the active substance and polymer are suspended, dissolved or emulsified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: Brita Sjöblom
  • Soft tablet containing high molecular weight polyethylene oxide
    Patent number: 6753009
    Abstract: The invention relates to an immediate release tablet capable of being chewed or disintegrated in the oral cavity, which comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient, and a matrix comprising polyethylene oxide having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500,000 to about 10,000,000. The tablet possesses exceptionally good mouthfeel and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Luber, Frank J. Bunick
  • Modulated release from biocompatible polymers
    Patent number: 6749866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for the modulated release of a biologically active agent. The composition comprises a biocompatible polymeric matrix, a biologically active agent which is dispersed within the polymeric matrix, and a metal cation component which is separately dispersed within the polymeric matrix, whereby the metal cation component modulates the release of the biologically active agent from the polymeric matrix. The present invention also relates to a method for modulating the release of a biologically active agent from a biocompatible polymeric matrix, comprising the steps of dissolving a biocompatible polymer in a solvent to form a polymer solution and also separately dispersing a metal cation component and a biologically active agent within the polymer solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Bernstein, Yan Zhang, M. Amin Khan, Mark A. Tracy
  • Topical compositions and glove for protection against radiation exposure
    Patent number: 6749859
    Abstract: This invention relates to topical compositions and a glove for protection against radiation exposure, such as that due to radiation used in medical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Leibowitz
  • Intermediate release nicotinic acid compositions for treating hyperlipidemia having unique biopharmaceutical characteristics
    Patent number: 6746691
    Abstract: Intermediate release nicotinic acid formulations having unique biopharmaceutical characteristics, which are suitable for oral administration once per day as a single dose preferably administered during the evening or at night for treating hyperlipidemia without causing drug-induced hepatotoxicity to such a level that requires the therapy to be discontinued, are disclosed. The intermediate nicotinic acid formulations can be administered as tablets in dosage strengths of, for example, 375 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg. The 375 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg nicotinic acid tablets of the present invention have a dissolution curve similarity fit factor F2 of at least about 79, and the 1000 mg nicotinic acid tablets of the present invention have a dissolution curve similarity fit factor F2 of at least 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugenio A. Cefali
  • Tablets immediately disintegrating in the oral cavity
    Patent number: 6743443
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intraoral quickly disintegrating tablet containing a phosphodiesterase inhibitor having an effect of improving the erectile dysfunction and a method for manufacturing the tablet. The present invention also provides an intraoral quickly disintegrating tablet containing a slightly soluble pharmaceutical agent having an improved solubility and a method for manufacturing the tablet. That is, it is an intraoral quickly disintegrating tablet containing a cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor and a saccharide, and a method for manufacturing the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Eisai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Furitsu, Akira Kato, Takayuki Ohwaki, Masanobu Yasui
  • Melt-extruded orally administrable opioid formulations
    Patent number: 6743442
    Abstract: Bioavailable sustained release oral opioid analgesic dosage forms, comprising a plurality of multiparticulates produced via melt extrusion techniques are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Euro-Celtique, S.A.
    Inventors: Benjamin Oshlack, Mark Chasin, Hua-Pin Huang, David Sackler
  • Quickly disintegrating solid preparations
    Patent number: 6740339
    Abstract: Quickly disintegrating solid preparations which contain: a) an active ingredient; b) D-mannitol having an average particle size of 30 &mgr;m to 300 &mgr;m; c) a disintegrating agent; and d) celluloses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ohkouchi, Hiroyoshi Koyama