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.

Abstract: A delivery device having a first chamber containing an osmotic agent, a membrane forming a wall of the first chamber through which fluid is imbibed by osmosis, a second chamber containing a beneficial agent to be delivered, and a moveable piston separating the two chambers. In fluid communication with the second chamber is an orifice which comprises a slit valve. In the presence of pressure, the beneficial agent pushes through the slit, opening up a channel for delivery of the beneficial agent and creating flow. Because the slit remains closed in the absence of flow (or when the pressure is below the pressure required to open the slit), back diffusion of external fluids is eliminated when the slit is closed, which prevents contamination of the beneficial agent in the second chamber by external fluids. In addition, forward diffusion of the beneficial agent out of the capsule is prevented when the slit is closed.

Abstract: A percutaneous agent sampling device and method are provided. The device comprises a collector and a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing the skin for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved electrotransport drug delivery system for analgesic drugs, namely fentanyl and sufentanil. The fentanyl/sufentanil is provided as a water soluble salt (e.g., fentanyl hydrochloride), preferably in a hydrogel formulation, for use in an electrotransport device (10). In accordance with the present invention, a transdermal electrotransport delivered dose of fentanyl/sufentanil is provided which is sufficient to induce analgesia in (e.g., adult) human patients suffering from moderate-to-severe pain as associated with major surgical procedures.

Abstract: A dosage form comprising a composition comprising a drug surrounded by a first coat and a second coat 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: 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.

Abstract: Transdermal compositions, devices, and methods for the administration of a drug at reduced skin irritation levels are disclosed. More particularly, this invention relates to novel methods, compositions, and devices for the reduction or elimination of irritation or sensitization caused by an irritating or sensitizing drug when it is delivered transdermally. According to a preferred embodiment, transdermal administration of a drug salt of a non-zwitterionic drug is disclosed wherein the drug salt comprises a combination of surface activity and a low octanol-water partition coefficient. Such drug salts have been found to reduce irritation or sensitization to the drug being delivered while achieving therapeutically effective transdermal fluxes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an electrotransport device for transdermally or transmucosally delivering a beneficial agent (e.g., a drug) to the body surface of a patient or for transdermally or transmucosally sampling a body analyte. Most particularly, the present invention relates to a configured and electrochemically reactive electrode assembly having improved start-up electrical performance and improved lag time to compliant agent delivery.

Abstract: An implanter for inserting subcutaneous implants includes a handle for grasping the implanter during implantation, a hollow cannula receiving the implant, and a rod for releasing the implant from the cannula. The rod is longitudinally fixed within the handle while the cannula slides over the rod to release the implant. The cannula is moved over the rod by a sliding actuator mounted in a track of the handle. The actuator is locked in an extended position to prevent unintended release of the implant. Preferably, the implanter is a single-use device having a actuator locking feature preventing reuse.

Abstract: A nutritional system is disclosed, for delivering a colorant dye to a nutritional fluid that flows through the nutritional system.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a wall that defines an injection-molded compartment housing a capsule comprising a drug formulation.

Abstract: A transdermal electrotransport drug delivery device having an anode, a cathode and a source of electrical power electrically connected to the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a cathodic electrode and a cathodic reservoir comprised of a housing composed of a polymeric material and an aqueous medium in contact with the housing. The aqueous medium includes i) a drug or an electrolyte salt or a mixture thereof and ii) a cetylpyridinium salt in an amount sufficient to inhibit microbial growth in the aqueous medium. The polymeric material is compatible with the cetylpyridinium salt. A process is also provided wherein when electric current flows from the source of electrical power so that the drug is transdermally delivered to the patient by electrotransport from the anodic reservoir, the cetylpyridinium salt is not transdermally delivered to the patient by electrotransport from the cathodic reservoir. A process for preparing a transdermal electrotransport drug delivery device is also provided.

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.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a drug formulation that self-emulsifies in said dosage form.

Abstract: An electrotransport system (20) for delivery of a drug through the skin (63) of a patient includes a tactile signal generator (36) for generating and transmitting a tactile signal to the skin of a patient upon the occurrence of an event associated with the operation of the system. The tactile signal may be an electric AC signaling current (Sr, Sp) applied through the skin, ie, an electric current different from the therapeutic electrotransport drive current. The electric signaling current is preferably a pulsed current of sufficient frequency and amplitude to allow the patient to feel it. The tactile signal may alternatively be generated by an electromechanical device in contact with the skin such as a piezoelectric vibrating element or magnetodynamic element such as a solenoid driven pin. The waveform of the tactile signaling current preferably has a zero average current component such that no net therapeutic drug is delivered by the tactile signal current.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing transdermal drug delivery devices and devices made therefrom. The invention provides a heat equilibration process for the manufacture of drug delivery devices which eliminates the need to preload the body contacting layer with a drug. The method has particular application in the manufacture of transdermal drug delivery devices including a drug reservoir comprising drug in excess of saturation.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved electrotransport drug delivery system for analgesic drugs, namely fentanyl and sufentanil. The fentanyl/sufentanil is provided as a water soluble salt (eg, fentanyl hydrochloride) dispersed in a hydrogel formulation for use in an electrotransport device (10). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the concentration of fentanyl/sufentanil in the donor reservoir (26) solution is above a predetermined minimum concentration, whereby the transdermal electrotransport flux of fentanyl/sufentanil is maintained independent of the concentration of fentanyl/sufentanil in solution. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the donor reservoir (26) of the electrotransport delivery device (10) is comprised of silver and the donor reservoir (26) contains a predetermined “excess” loading of fentanyl/sufentanil halide to prevent silver ion migration with attendant skin discoloration.

Abstract: An iontophoretic delivery device (10) is provided. Device (10) has an electronic circuit (32) having electronic components such as batteries (30) mounted thereon. Device (10) also includes a pair of electrode assemblies (18, 19). The electronic circuit (32) is electrically connected to the electrode assemblies (18, 19) using an electrically conductive adhesive (34). The adhesive can also be used to electrically connect two or more electronic components within circuit (32) or to connect an electronic component to the electronic circuit (32). In one practice of the invention, the electrically conductive adhesive (44) functions as an electrode and electrically connects the circuit (32) to an agent-containing reservoir (24, 25). In a further practice of the invention, the electrically conductive adhesive (93) functions as an agent reservoir and contains the agent to be iontophoretically delivered.

Abstract: Rate controlled transdermal nicotine delivery systems are disclosed which utilize an in-line adhesive to maintain the systems on the skin. The initial equilibrated concentration of nicotine in the nicotine reservoir and the adhesive is below saturation, preferably at a thermodynamic activity no greater than 0.50, and the reservoir comprises the nicotine dissolved in a polymer with respect to which the rate controlling element of the device is substantially impermeable. In preferred embodiments the initial loading of nicotine in the reservoir is sufficient to prevent the activity of the nicotine in the reservoir from decreasing by more than about 75% and preferably no more than about 25% during the predetermined period of administration; and the thicknesses of the adhesive, rate controlling membrane and reservoir layers are selected so that at least 50% and, preferably at least 75% initial equilibrated nicotine loading is in the reservoir layer.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an improved electrotransport device. The improvement relates to a membrane assembly including a low porosity membrane adhered or sealed to one or two high porosity membranes. The high porosity membranes protect the low porosity membrane from being damaged by components or contaminates on the body surface and/or in the drug reservoir which can lead to undesirable passive flux and/or insufficient iontophoretic flux. As a result, the electrotransport device having the membrane assembly more reliably, precisely, and accurately delivers drug and/or therapeutic agent through the body surface by electrotransport.