Abstract: Apparatus (11) for delivery of a medicament, drug or other therapeutic agent transdermally to a body by iontophoresis is provided. The apparatus (11) provides a means (13) for measuring and displaying the cumulative amount of the medicament delivered to the body by monitoring the amount of a metal, initially present at the anode (45), that is transferred to the cathode (41) in a subsidiary electrolyte cell (47) through which the drive current for the apparatus (11) passes. Optionally, the apparatus also provides a plurality of light emitting devices (63-1) that display a measure of the cumulative amount of medicament delivered, by use of visually distinguishable light colors or by use of binary encoding in the light display.

Abstract: An electrotransport drug delivery device (1) including a reusable component (2), a disposable component (4), and a removable liner (8) temporarily separating the mating surfaces of the components (2,4) during alignment and assembly of the components (2,4). At least one of the components (2,4) has an adhesive mating surface (11) facing the removable liner (8). Also disclosed are a disposable assembly (4) for an electrotransport device (1) and a method for assembling reusable and disposable components (2,4), the components (2,4) of the electrotranport device assembly (1) are adhesively mated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid-imbibing dispensing device for the initially delayed delivery of an active agent to a fluid environment of use and to a method of using the dispensing device. The dispenser comprises a housing having a first wall section and a second wall section in reversibly sliding telescopic arrangement with each other, which housing maintains its integrity in the environment of use; an internal compartment surrounded and defined by the housing; at least one active agent formulation in the compartment; and expansion means and a push plate in the compartment for separating apart the first and second wall sections of the housing after exposure to the environment of use to expose the active agent formulation to the environment of use.

Abstract: Diffusional delivery devices are constructed in two or more compartments, each containing a separate drug or other beneficial agent, and each arranged to permit diffusion of the agent out of the device through an individually-characterized agent-permeable wall segment. The diffusion rates of the various agents relative to one another are set and controlled by the parameters of the individual wall segments, such as the surface area of the wall segment, the average thickness of the wall segment, and the permeability of the wall segment for the particular agent. The permeability may be varied by variations in the chemical composition of the wall segment. Using these parameters rather than blending the agents at calculated ratios in a single formulation for diffusion through a single wall permits a wider range of, and greater flexibility in, variation between the diffusion rates of the different agents. This is of value when the simultaneous administration of agents at a specified ratio is desired.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improving the delivery of a drug from a ruminal delivery device to give a consistent delivery of drug to the ruminal environment. Thus, the invention is directed to an improved ruminal drug delivery device comprising a semipermeable membrane having an exit orifice and defining a compartment, the compartment containing a swellable osmotic agent expandable member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable member and the drug formulation, wherein the improvement comprises an essentially gas-impermeable barrier means that separates the density element from the other components within the delivery device for isolating gases evolved from the density element from the other components within the delivery device. The invention is also directed to methods and articles for providing a consistent delivery of drug from a ruminal drug delivery device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical formulation of a therapeutic polypeptide together with a permeation-enhancing mixture of sodium salicylate and an oil to provide enhanced absorption of the polypeptide through the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, and particularly of the colon, after oral administration, the amount of oil being from about 10 wt % to about 30 wt %, preferably from about 15 wt % to about 25 wt %, of the total formulation and the amount of sodium salicylate being from about 70 wt % to about 90 wt %, preferably from about 75 wt % to about 85 wt %, of the total formulation. The polypeptide may be non-lyophilized. The pharmaceutical formulation is characterized as a solid, which provides a convenient and improved format for handling and storage and for the preparation of oral dosage forms (such as pills, capsules and delivery vessels) containing a homogeneous mixture of ingredients.

Abstract: Improved methods of ionophoretic drug delivery are described. By the intentional selection of drug(s) with specific characteristics, of ionotophoresis device, components or both permits the efficiency of drug delivery is increased.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the transdermal administration of oxybutynin together with a suitable permeation enhancer. The invention includes a transdermal drug delivery device comprising a matrix adapted to be placed in oxybutynin- and permeation enhancer-transmitting relation with the skin site. The matrix contains sufficient amounts of a permeation enhancer and of oxybutynin, in combination, to continuously administer to the skin for a predetermined period of time the oxybutynin to provide an effective therapeutic result. The invention is also directed to a method for the transdermal administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oxybutynin together with a skin permeation-enhancing amount of a suitable permeation enhancer.

Abstract: An electrically powered iontophoretic delivery device is provided. The device utilizes electrodes composed of a preferably hydrophobic polymeric matrix. The matrix contains about 10 to 50 vol % of a material capable of absorbing a liquid solvent, typically water, to provide a plurality of ion conducting pathways through the matrix. The matrix also contains about 5 to 40 vol % of a chemical species which is able to undergo either oxidation or reduction during operation of the device. Preferably, the solvent absorbing material is a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. For the anodic electrode, the chemical species should be able to undergo oxidation and is preferably either silver or zinc. For the cathodic electrode, the chemical species should be able to undergo reduction and is preferably silver chloride or a reducible metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor system for use with a blood characteristic measurement device such as a pulse oximeter, on areas of the body having low normal cutaneous blood flow and for monitoring a blood characteristic such as oxygen saturation and pulse rate of patients, preferably over an extended period of time. The sensor system includes (a) a transdermal device containing a blood perfusion-enhancing agent that is administered in a controlled amount to the skin of a human patient and (b) a skin surface sensor.

Abstract: Tablet treating system 10 treats a series of pharmaceutical tablets 50T with pulses of laser energy 24P within at least one predetermined treatment site 50S on each tablet. A tablet conveyer 12 continuously moves individual tablets along a tablet path 10P. A Laser 14 provides the pulses of laser energy along a stationary laser path which crosses the tablet path defining a stationary intersection zone 14Z common to both paths. The tablet path has periodic treatment windows 20W during which the treatment sites 50S on the moving tablets pass through the stationary intersection zone. The operation of the laser has periodic laser ready windows 24W during which the laser may be fired. A controller 16 is responsive to the movement of the tablet conveyer and to the operation of the laser for activating the laser and treating the tablets. The controller activates the laser when a tablet is passing through the intersection zone and the tablet treatment window coincides with the laser ready window.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to deliver a beneficial agent or drug though a body surface of a patient is provided. In a first embodiment, the invention includes a power supply (eg, a battery 118, 119) and optionally other electrical components (126, 128), positioned in a pocket (114) formed in a supporting substrate (112). Electrically conducting traces (113, 116) positioned on the substrate (112, 113) form an electrical power network connecting the battery (118, 119) to the other electrical components (126, 128), for control and delivery of electrical power. The traces may be electrically conducting adhesive strips (206). In a second embodiment, a waterproof enclosure provides moisture isolation of electrical components in an electrical power network. The waterproof enclosure may be selectively formed around one or a group of electrical components (202, 204, 218) by sealing a sealant film (208, 210).

Abstract: A dry-state iontophoretic drug delivery device (10, 20) is provided. The device has drug and electrolyte reservoirs (15, 16) which are initially in a non-hydrated condition. In one embodiment of the invention, a passageway (21, 22) is provided through the backing layer (13) and the electrode layer (11, 12) of both the donor electrode assembly (8) and the counter electrode assembly (9). Water or other liquid can be introduced through these passageways (21, 22) in order to hydrate the drug and electrolyte reservoirs (15, 16) and activate the device (10). In another embodiment of the device (20), the drug and electrolyte reservoirs (15, 16) are initially separated from their respective electrodes (11, 12). After the reservoirs (15, 16) are hydrated, they are placed in electrical contact with their respective electrodes (11, 12). By joining the reservoir (15, 16) to the electrode (11, 12) after hydration occurs, delamination problems are reduced.

Abstract: An electrical circuit (21) for an electrotransport agent delivery device (10), and a method for making same, is provided. The circuit (21) generally includes a plurality of electrically conductive circuit traces (71-77) deposited on a substrate (42). One or more electrical circuit components (61-63), such as batteries, resistors, capacitors and/or transistors, is mounted on the substrate (42) and are electrically connected to the circuit traces (71-77), using an electrically conductive adhesive. The circuit traces (71-77) and the adhesive contain an electrically conductive filler which renders the traces and the adhesive electrically conductive. Preferably, the electrically conductive filler is a material which is relatively non-toxic, such as silver, carbon and/or graphite. The electrical circuit components (61-63) may be connected to the circuit traces (71-77) using automated component attachment procedures.

Abstract: Mixtures of ethanol and monoglyceride are disclosed for enhancing the permeation of drugs through skin or mucosa. The monoglyceride is a monoglyceride or a mixture of monoglycerides of fatty acids with a total monoesters content of at least about 90%. Water is also included in the permeation-enhancing mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the transdermal administration of a contraceptively effective amount of gestodene and an estrogen, such as ethinyl estradiol, in combination, together with a suitable permeation enhancer.

Abstract: An iontophoretic drug-delivery device incorporating a power supply which minimizes the cost of the batteries needed by operating the batteries in a series configuration at the start of delivery, when the patient's skin resistance is high, and by switching the batteries into a parallel configuration when skin resistance drops. An automatic switching circuit for achieving this transition is included.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a delivery device, the device comprising a wall that surrounds an internal lumen or compartment which contains a beneficial agent or medicament formulation, an expandable driving member and an optional density member, and having an exit means, and wherein the improvement comprises prehydrating the delivery device as a means for advancing the beginning or startup of agent delivery from the delivery system to give earlier release of beneficial agent to the environment of use. An embodiment of the invention concerns a fluid reservoir in contact with the expandable driving member to provide prehydration of the device.