Abstract: Methods for conducting operation of an electrode arrangement are described. The methods generally concern use of an electrode reservoir containing both a first electrode and a secondary electrode. A system for practicing the methods is also provided.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a dosage form for the management of epilepsies wherein the dosage form comprises administering valproic acid or a valproic acid derivative at a continuous rate over an extended time.

Abstract: An opiate analgesic composition and a non-opiate analgesic composition are disclosed for delivering an analgesic in either embodiment to a patient in need of relief from pain. The analgesics are present optionally with a nonionic surfactant and with an osmotic composition comprising a carbonate or bicarbonate for delivering the opiate analgesic and non-opiate analgesic from a dosage form.

Abstract: Performance of delivery systems for delivering beneficial agents to an animal are monitored to determine the delivery rate of the beneficial agent and the proper operation of the beneficial agent delivery device. Performance monitoring can be achieved by monitoring the physical configuration of the implanted osmotic delivery device from the exterior of the body to determine the amount of beneficial agent delivered and/or the delivery rate of the beneficial agent. The monitoring of the physical configuration of the implanted osmotic delivery device may be performed in different manners such as by X-ray or fluoroscopic monitoring of the implant structure or magnetic determination of a piston location within the implant. Performance monitoring can also be achieved by use of a performance marker within the beneficial agent to produce a specifically detectable response which can be measured noninvasively in body fluids or by-products.

Abstract: An inverter for reversing the orientation of a pharmaceutical dosage form at a discontinuity in a path of travel is described. The inverter receives dosage forms from an input path and delivers rectified dosage forms to an output path. In addition, a dosage form rectifier comprising an inverter is described. The dosage form rectifier receives randomly oriented dosage forms and delivers uniformly oriented dosage forms without recycling any of the dosage forms. In a repeating cycle for each dosage form supplied to the rectifier, the orientation of the dosage form is determined and dosage forms having a desired orientation are maintained in the desired orientation and delivered from the dosage form rectifier while dosage forms having an inverted orientation have their orientation rectified at the inverter before being delivered from the dosage form rectifier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydratable drug reservoir films for electrotransport drug delivery devices and to electrotransport drug delivery systems containing the hydratable drug reservoirs and to methods for manufacturing and using such systems. The hydratable reservoir films according to this invention are easily manufacturable and rapidly imbibe water and/or drug solution with good water retention and stability.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system has a membrane plug retention mechanism which can also be used to control the delivery rate of a beneficial agent from the osmotic delivery system. The osmotic delivery device includes an implant capsule containing a beneficial agent and an osmotic agent. Holes are formed along a side wall of the implant capsule at an open end of the capsule. When the membrane plug is inserted into the open end of the capsule the membrane material swells into the holes in the capsule side wall creating a large frictional force which prevents expulsion of the membrane plug. A beneficial agent delivery rate of the osmotic delivery system is controllable by varying the size and number of the holes to change the amount of exposed surface area of the membrane plug. An increase in the surface area of the membrane plug exposed to the exterior environment causes a corresponding increase in the liquid permeation rate of the membrane and thus, increases the beneficial agent delivery rate.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, and methods for transdermal administration of a drug are disclosed using a novel permeation enhancer mixture comprising a monoglyceride and ethyl palmitate. The monoglyceride/ethyl palmitate permeation enhancer is a potent permeation enhancer and provides stable systems which are more readily characterized. Additionally, ethyl palmitate cosolvent systems are more readily processed at manufacturing conditions thus providing further advantages over other cosolvents.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable non-aqueous formulations which are suspensions of proteinaceous substances or nucleic acids in non-aqueous, anhydrous, aprotic, hydrophobic, non-polar vehicles with low reactivity. More specifically, the present invention relates to stable protein or nucleic acid formulations wherein the compound remains in stable, dry powder form, yet the formulation is flowable and, therefore amenable to delivery to an animal via injection, transdermal administration, oral delivery or using an implantable device for sustained delivery. These stable formulations may be stored at elevated temperatures (e.g., 37° C.) for long periods of time and are especially useful as flowable formulations which can be shipped and/or stored at high temperatures or in implantable delivery devices for long term delivery (e.g., 1-12 months or longer) of drug.

Abstract: A composition and a dosage form are disclosed comprising oxybutynin alone/or accompanied by another drug indicated for therapy. A method is disclosed for administering oxybutynin alone/or accompanied by a different drug or for administering oxybutynin and a different drug according to a therapeutic program for the management of incontinence alone, and for other therapy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a composition comprising a matrix (12) adapted to be placed in drug- and permeation-enhancing mixture-transmitting relation to a selected skin (18) or other body site. The matrix (12) contains sufficient amounts of drug, permeation enhancer(s) and poly-N-vinyl amide to continuously administer to the site, the drug, in a therapeutically effective amount, and the permeation-enhancing mixture, in an amount effective to enhance the permeation of the skin (18) to the drug, the device (10) shows increased transdermal flux as compared to the transdermal flux of the drug from a device (10) containing no poly-N-vinyl amide. Incorporating poly-N-vinyl amide into the transdermal system also improves the adhesion and stability of the system.

Abstract: A dosage form comprising a composition comprising a drug surrounded by an interior and an exterior wall with an exit for administering the drug to a patient; and a method of using the dosage form are disclosed for an indicated therapy.

Abstract: A novel electrotransport drug delivery system (10) and therapeutic agent-containing reservoir (26, 28) for use therein are provided. An inert filler material effective to reduce the quantity of therapeutic agent otherwise present is incorporated in the reservoir (26, 28) along with the therapeutic agent to be delivered via electrotransport. Methods for making the reservoir (26, 28) and drug delivery system (10) are provided as well.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of transdermal drug delivery devices comprising liquid dispersions of a liquid in an aqueous or nonaqueous matrix is disclosed. More particularly, the invention relates to preventing the formation of a crystalline structure in such liquid dispersions by annealing films and laminates in-line immediately following film formation and/or lamination during the manufacture of these devices.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable non-aqueous polar aprotic formulations of peptide compounds. These stable formulations comprise peptide in non-aqueous polar aprotic solvent. They may be stored at elevated temperatures for long periods of time and are especially useful in implantable delivery devices for long term delivery of drug.

Abstract: A percutaneous agent delivery or sampling device comprising a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing the skin for increasing transdermal flux of an agent. The microblades having a relatively sharp angled leading edge which transitions to a relatively gradually angled blade edge.

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.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed for administering a leukatriene-receptor antagonist to a patient over time.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising an anti-Parkinson's disease drug for administering to a patient in need of anti-Parkinson's disease therapy.