Abstract: A method for preparing microparticles having a selected polymer molecular weight. The hold time and temperature of a solution containing a nucleophilic compound and a polymer having a starting molecular weight are controlled in order to control the molecular weight of the polymer in the finished microparticle product. In this manner, a selected polymer molecular weight in the finished microparticle product can be achieved from a variety of starting material molecular weights.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 19, 2000
Date of Patent:
July 24, 2001
Assignee:
Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II
Inventors:
Steven G. Wright, Michael E. Rickey, J. Michael Ramstack, Shawn L. Lyons, Joyce M. Hotz
Abstract: Oral active agent delivery system having improved flow controllers. A hollow tubular member containing the active agent formulation and having a fluid passing controller is placed at one end into a fluid and at a second end into a patient's mouth. The active agent is delivered when the patient sips on the end of the chamber. The improved controllers prevent leakage of the active agent formulation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2001
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Patrick S.-L. Wong, Vincent J. Ferrari, Jeffrey W. Etter, Miriam A. Martin, Nathan Roth, Christopher M. G. Ohms, Andrew I. Poutiatine, James Horvath
Abstract: The present invention is an oral active agent delivery system and method for delivering discrete units of an active agent formulation to a patient. An active agent formulation chamber containing the active agent formulation and having a fluid passing active agent formulation retainer is placed at a first end into a fluid and at a second end into a patient's mouth. The active agent is delivered when the patient sips on the second end of the chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 25, 2000
Date of Patent:
April 3, 2001
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Patrick S.-L. Wong, Howard B. Rosen, Nathan Roth, Phyllis I. Gardner
Abstract: An improved method for preparing microparticles that exhibit controlled release of an effective amount of an active agent over an extended period of time. More particularly, a method is provided for preparing microparticles having a selected release profile for release of active agent contained in the microparticles. By adjusting the degree of drying that is performed during the preparation of the microparticles, the release profile can be controlled. By performing no intermediate drying, an initial burst and a substantially linear release profile is achieved. By performing substantially complete intermediate drying, an initial lag phase and a substantially sigmoidal release profile is achieved.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 30, 1998
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2001
Assignee:
Alkermes Controlled Therapeutics Inc. II
Inventors:
Shawn L. Lyons, J. Michael Ramstack, Steven G. Wright
Abstract: A system of distributing video and/or audio information employs digital signal processing to achieve high rates of data compression. The compressed and encoded audio and/or video information is sent over standard telephone, cable or satellite broadcast channels to a receiver specified by a subscriber of the service, preferably in less than real time, for later playback and optional recording on standard audio and/or video tape.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 10, 1996
Date of Patent:
December 14, 1999
Assignee:
H. Lee Browne, D/B/A Greenwich Information Technologies LLC