Abstract: A membrane capable of inhibiting agent release from a delivery system when no electrical current is flowing and yet provide minimal impedance to electrically-assisted agent delivery, useful both for incorporating into electrotransport agent delivery systems and for use in measuring agent release rates in in vitro testing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 28, 1991
Date of Patent:
September 15, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Felix Theeuwes, J. Richard Gyory, Ronald P. Haak
Abstract: An electrically powered iontophoretic delivery device is provided. The device utilizes electrodes composed of a polymeric matrix containing about 5 to 40 vol % of a conductive filler which forms a conductive network through the matrix, and 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 conductive filler is carbon or graphite fibers. For the anode electrode, the chemical species should be able to undergo oxidation and is preferably either silver or zinc. For the cathode electrode, the chemical species should be able to undergo reduction and is preferably silver chloride.
Abstract: An osmotic device (10) for the controlled systemic delivery of nicotine through an oral mucosal membrane of a human patient is disclosed. The device (10) has a size and shape adapting it to be comfortably retained in the mouth for extended periods of time. The device (10) comprises a semipermeable wall (12) surrounding a compartment (13) containing a nicotine salt (14) and optionally an alkaline salt which is capable of reacting with the nicotine salt in the presence of water to form nicotine base. The conversion of nicotine salt to nicotine base may take place within the device (10) and/or outside the device and in the patient's mouth. Nicotine base and/or salt is delivered from the compartment (13) through a passageway (17) in the wall (12). The nicotine salt exhibits good stability and shelf life while the nicotine base exhibits excellent absorption through oral mucosal membranes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 1991
Date of Patent:
September 15, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Virgil A. Place, Patrick S. L. Wong, Brian L. Barclay, Jerry D. Childers
Abstract: A diffusional drug delivery device is described which can provide for delayed onset of therapeutic effect and for delivery of the therapeutic agent in predetermined temporal patterns at optimum rates. Delay means are provided between the agent reservoir and the surface through which the agent is released by diffusion to delay the release of agent at a therapeutic rate for predetermined times after application. Suitable means include a delay membrane disposed between the releasing surface and the agent reservoir which membrane is preferably free of undissolved agent and/or is initially impermeable to the agent and thereafter becomes permeable. One or more agent chambers defined by one or more of such membranes may be provided, whereby agents are released in a predetermined temporal pattern at optimal release rates.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 1988
Date of Patent:
August 25, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Eun Soo Lee, Felix Theeuwes, Patrick Wong S. L., Su Il Yum, Alejandro Zaffaroni
Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fluid-imbibing dispensing device for delivering a beneficial agent to a biological environment of use, the dispensing device being of the type having a housing which includes a fluid-impermeable first wall section with an open end and a fluid-permeable second wall section with an open end, an internal compartment formed by the first and second wall sections, exit means in the housing, a beneficial agent in that portion of the compartment formed by the first wall section, expandable driving means in that portion of the compartment formed by the second wall section, and a partition layer between the beneficial agent and the expandable driving means; wherein the improvement comprises the first wall section being comprised of an extremely fluid-impermeable material and the open end of each of the first wall section and the second wall section having reciprocally tapered edges one with the other to form a tapered lap joint for mating engagement, the tapered lap join
Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing or preventing skin irritation of a weak base drug by inhibiting the accumulation of the drug in the lysosomes. The drug is irritating to humans, i.e., the drug is susceptible to inducing skin or mucosa irritation in a human when the drug is transdermally administered to the human at a therapeutically effective rate. Irritation reduction or prevention is induced by coadministering to the skin or mucosa of the human:(a) a therapeutically effective amount of a weak base drug which is irritating to humans, at a therapeutically effective rate over a predetermined period of time; and(b) an effective amount of an agent capable of inhibiting the lysosomal uptake of the drug to reduce or prevent irritation to the skin or mucosa.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 6, 1990
Date of Patent:
July 14, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Michel J-N Cormier, Philip W. Ledger, Alfred Amkraut
Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed for delivering a beneficial ionophore to an animal. The dispenser comprises (1) a semipermeable housing defining an internal space, (2) at least one composition comprising an ionophore and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in the space, (3) an expandable hydrophilic composition in the space, (4) a dense member in the space, and (5) at least one exit passageway in the housing for delivering the ionophore from the dispenser.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 1991
Date of Patent:
June 30, 1992
Assignee:
ALZA Corporation
Inventors:
Atul D. Ayer, Terry L. Burkoth, Anthony L. Kuczynski, Joseph C. Deters
Abstract: There is disclosed an insert for the orifice of a ruminal bolus. The insert fits within the exit orifice of the ruminal bolus such that the medicated paste being discharged passes through the insert creating a back pressure within the paste compartment of the bolus which improves the performance of the bolus. The insert also prevents foreign objects from becoming lodged in the orifice. The insert consists of a grid-like series of openings with insert members extending into the orifice for a significant portion of the total length. Integral with the insert is a flange which secures the insert within the orifice and prevents it from being removed from the orifice or from being driven into the orifice.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 1990
Date of Patent:
June 16, 1992
Assignee:
ALZA Corporation
Inventors:
John R. Cardinal, Paul K. Wilkinson, Joel R. Zingerman
Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the transdermal administration of a contraceptively effective amount of a synthetic 19-nor-progesterone (ST-1435) and an estrogen, in combination, together with a suitable permeation enhancer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 29, 1990
Date of Patent:
June 16, 1992
Assignee:
ALZA Corporation
Inventors:
Robert M. Gale, Diane E. Nedberge, Linda E. Atkinson
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of reducing or preventing skin sensitization by inhibiting the immunological processing of a sensitizing drug as an antigen. The drug is sensitizing to humans, i.e., the drug is susceptible to inducing skin or mucosa sensitization in a human when the drug is transdermally administered to the human at a therapeutically effective rate. Skin sensitization reduction or prevention is induced by coadministering to the skin or mucosa of the human:(a) a therapeutically effective amount of a sensitizing drug, at a therapeutically effective rate over a predetermined period of time; and(b) an antigen processing-inhibiting agent in an amount effective to inhibit the antigen processing of the drug.The system of the invention comprises a matrix adapted to be placed in sensitizing drug and antigen processing-inhibiting agent transmitting relation to the selected skin or mucosa site.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 3, 1990
Date of Patent:
June 9, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Philip W. Ledger, Michel J. Cormier, Alfred Amkraut
Abstract: A method of inducing immune tolerance to a drug which is normally sensitizing to humans when applied to human skin or mucosa is provided. The sensitizing drug is continuously and co-extensively administered to a selected skin or mucosa site with the corticosteroid. Preferably, the corticosteroid is hydrocortisone or an ester thereof. The corticosteroid is administered to the selected skin or mucosa site at a rate and for a period of time sufficient to induce tolerance to the drug. Thereafter, the drug can be administered to the human, without administering any corticosteroid, without danger of inducing sensitization to the drug in the human.
Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an animal. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds a lumen, said wall comprising a composition that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a composition that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The lumen comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable member. The delivery system comprises an exit means for delivering the beneficial agent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 1990
Date of Patent:
May 5, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Judy A. Magruder, James B. Eckenhoff, Richard Cortese, Jeremy C. Wright, John R. Peery
Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of a plurality of discrete drug-containing units in any desired delivery pattern or profile.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 1991
Date of Patent:
May 5, 1992
Assignee:
ALZA Corporation
Inventors:
Patrick S. L. Wong, Felix Theeuwes, James B. Eckenhoff, Steven D. Larsen, Hoa T. Huynh
Abstract: A patient-care apparatus comprising a container for receiving a biological fluid, and a delivery device on the outside of the container, which device comprises a biocide that is released to the container for preventing the multiplication of and/or eliminating the presence of unwanted pathogens in the container.
Abstract: An osmotic device is disclosed comprising an exterior coat comprising an estrogenic and a progestogenic steroid that are delivered immediately as a contraceptive pair for fertility regulation in a female, and a compartment comprising an estrogenic steroid that is delivered at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time for fertility regulation in a female.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 16, 1989
Date of Patent:
March 24, 1992
Assignee:
ALZA Corporation
Inventors:
Jeri D. Wright, Jerry D. Childers, Brian L. Barclay, Patrick S. Wong, Linda E. Atkinson
Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) an expandable composition comprising a dense member in the space, (3) a composition comprising a beneficial agent and a non-toxic heat responsive carrier in the space,and (4) a passageway in the housing for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispensing device.
Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a member selected from the group consisting of nicardipine and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts for administering to a patient in need of cardiovascular therapy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 18, 1990
Date of Patent:
March 17, 1992
Assignee:
ALZA Corporation
Inventors:
Joseph C. Deters, David R. Swanson, Stephen C. DeRosa
Abstract: An iontophoretic agent delivery device having donor and counter electrodes comprised of either metal or a hydrophobic polymer loaded with a conductive filler is provided. The agent reservoir in the donor electrode assembly contains about 10 to 60 wt % hydrophobic polymer, about 10 to 60 wt % hydrophilic polymer, and up to 50% agent. Similarly, the electrolyte reservoir contains about 10 to 60 wt % hydrophobic polymer, about 10 to 60 wt % hydrophilic polymer, and up to 50% electrolyte. The agent reservoir, the electrolyte reservoir and the electrodes are preferably in the form of films which are laminated to one another. The hydrophobic polymer component in the agent/electrolyte reservoir prevents the reservoir from delaminating from the metal/hydrophobic polymer based electrode, even after hydration of the reservoirs.
Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising a wall that surrounds a compartment. The compartment comprises a beneficial agent composition and a push composition. A passageway in the wall connects the compartment with the exterior of the device for delivering the beneficial agent at a rate governed, in combination, by the wall, the beneficial agent composition and the push composition through the passageway of the device over time.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 9, 1990
Date of Patent:
January 21, 1992
Assignee:
Alza Corporation
Inventors:
Patrick S. L. Wong, Brian L. Barclay, Joseph C. Deters, Felix Theeuwes