Patents Assigned to Alza
  • Patent number: 5660861
    Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed for delivering an antiepileptic drug, which dosage form comprises for maintaining the integrity of the dosage form and of the antiepileptic drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Jao, Patrick S.-L. Wong, Evangeline Cruz, Eduardo C. Sy, Anthony L. Kuczynski
  • Patent number: 5658474
    Abstract: A method of laser drilling a delivery port (37) in a beneficial agent dispenser (30) is disclosed. A dispenser (30) has a compartment (32) formed by a wall (31) for containing a beneficial agent (33) to be delivered. A laser beam is employed for burning at least partially through the wall (31). The laser beam and the dispenser (30) are positioned relative to one another such that the laser beam is aimed at a predetermined port site (35) on the dispenser (30). The laser beam is turned off (unenergized) during the positioning period. The laser beam is then energized and moved relative to the dispenser (30) for scribing a delivery port (37) proximate the port site (35). The scribing motion moves the laser beam from the port site (35) along a course (37). Preferably the course (37) is closed. The scribing motion causes the burning of the wall (31) by the laser beam to scribe the delivery port (37). The positioning motion and the scribing motion are controlled by a scanning system (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventor: Johan H. Geerke
  • Patent number: 5650170
    Abstract: A drug delivery device is disclosed for delivering a drug to the intestine and the colon. The device comprises external means for delaying the delivery of drug in the stomach, and hydrophobic means for preventing the passage of fluid through the delay means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Corwin Wright, George V. Guittard
  • Patent number: 5647844
    Abstract: A selectively permeable membrane (14) is positioned between the agent reservoir (15) and the electrode (11) of a donor electrode assembly (8) in an iontophoretic delivery device (10). Optionally, an electrolyte reservoir (13) is positioned intermediate the electrode (11) and the agent reservoir (15). In certain embodiments, the membrane (14) is permeable to species of less than a predetermined molecular weight and substantially less permeable to species of greater than the predetermined molecular weight. The agent is capable of dissociating into agent ions and counter ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald P. Haak, J. Richard Gyory, Felix Theeuwes
  • Patent number: 5641504
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and systems for the transdermal administration of a drug together with glycerol monolinoleate as a permeation enhancer. An example of a delivery system of the invention is a system (20) having a drug reservoir (22) containing together a drug to be delivered and glycerol monolinoleate permeation enhancer. Reservoir is sandwiched between a backing layer (24) and an in-line contact adhesive layer (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventors: Eun Soo Lee, Diane E. Nedberge, Su Il Yum
  • Patent number: 5639477
    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 driving member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable driving 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 barrier means further includes a coupling to transfer osmotic pressure to the semipermeable wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick H. Maruyama, Judy A. Magruder
  • Patent number: 5635203
    Abstract: A device for the transdermal administration of a drug comprising a microporous tie layer located between the drug reservoir and the contact adhesive. The tie layer eliminates blooming and delamination and has no appreciable adverse effect on either the drug flux or release rate from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Gale, Eun Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 5633011
    Abstract: A hormone replacement composition, a hormone replacement dosage form, and a method of hormone replacement are disclosed and indicated for the management of hormone replacement therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Liang C. Dong, Patrick S.-L. Wong, Steven Espinal
  • Patent number: 5630808
    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: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Judy A. Magruder, James B. Eckenhoff, Richard Cortese, Jeremy C. Wright, John R. Peery
  • Patent number: 5629019
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel formulation for effectively utilizing hydrophobic permeation enhancers for the increased permeability of active agents through the skin or mucosa along with reduction of the lag time between application of the active agent and attainment of a therapeutically effective agent flux, with little or no irritation to the host. The invention is directed to compositions containing a hydrophobic permeation enhancer, which permeation enhancer has been micronized and stabilized in an inert carrier such as water. These compositions can be combined with a biologically active agent to provide enhanced permeability of the active agent to the skin or mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Eun Soo Lee, Su Il Yum, Michel J. N. Cormier
  • Patent number: 5624415
    Abstract: An electrotransport delivery device utilizing reservoir buffering at a select pH ranges in order to reduce skin irritation and skin resistance is provided. Cathodic reservoirs are buffered to a pH of less than about 4, preferably to a pH in the range of about 2 to 4, while anodic reservoirs are buffered to a pH above about 4, preferably to a pH in the range of about 4 to 10. Another electrotransport delivery device utilizes a potassium sensor to monitor potassium efflux from the skin. Potassium efflux above a certain predetermined level has been found to be a precursor to skin irritation/erythema. Operation of the device is modified (eg, terminated) when the predetermined potassium efflux level is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Michel J. N. Cormier, Philip W. Ledger, Juanita Johnson, Joseph B. Phipps, Stella Chao
  • Patent number: 5622530
    Abstract: Methods for conducting controlled environment electrotransport are described. The methods generally concern control of the ionic environment of the active electrode reservoir, in an electrotransport system. This control may be utilized, for example, to maintain a constant extraneous ion presence, such as pH. It may also be applied in a preferred manner to maintain selected control over the delivery rate of a target species, in time, in the presence of extraneous ions. Apparatus usable to provide for controlled environment electrotransport are also described. In general the apparatus comprises an electrotransport system including an active electrode reservoir having therein both a primary electrode arrangement and a secondary electrode arrangement, with a control arrangement for selected operation of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph B. Phipps
  • Patent number: 5622944
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enhanced transdermal electrotransport of 17-hydroxy sterol compounds, including testosterone. The parent sterols are modified at the 17-hydroxy position by covalent attachment of a charged chemical modifier. The chemical modifier provides the parent sterol with enhanced transport properties and is hydrolyzed under physiological conditions to release the active parent compound.The composition comprises a 17-hydroxy sterol/chemical modifier complex, more generally represented by the formula (sterol--O--)C(O)--R--N(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3).sup.+. The portion of the complex derived from the chemical modifier is indicated by "C(O)--R--N(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3).sup.+ ", where N(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3).sup.+ represents a quaternary ammonium group and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, and heteroarylalkyl; or R.sup.1 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignees: Affymax Technologies N.V., Alza Corporation
    Inventors: Ron L. Hale, Amy T. Lu, Dennis W. Solas, Michel J. N. Cormier
  • Patent number: 5620705
    Abstract: A hormone replacement composition, a hormone replacement dosage form, and a method of hormone replacement are disclosed and indicated for the management of hormone replacement therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Liang C. Dong, Patrick S.-L. Wong, Steven Espinal
  • Patent number: 5620700
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a material which can be used to deliver a drug, such as an antibiotic, into a diseased tissue pocket, such as a periodontal pocket. The material is preferably a bioerodible oligomer or polymer. The oligomer or polymer containing the drug is heated and is then delivered, preferably by injection, into the tissue pocket at a physiologically compatible elevated temperature. Once the bioerodible material is injected into the pocket, the material cools to the body temperature of the pocket. As it cools, the material hardens and remains in place in the tissue pocket. The hardened material bioerodes in the pocket and releases the drug over a period of several days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Randall G. Berggren, David J. Enscore, Susan M. Marks, James L. Osborne, Patrick S.-L. Wong, Wouter E. Roorda
  • Patent number: 5620708
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for the oral administration of drugs and other active agents are provided. The compositions comprise an active agent carrier particle attached to a binding moiety which binds specifically to a target molecule present on the surface of a mammalian enterocyte. The binding moiety binds to the target molecule with a binding affinity or avidity sufficient to initiate endocytosis or phagocytosis of the particulate active agent carrier so that the carrier will be absorbed by the enterocyte. The active agent will then be released from the carrier to the host's systemic circulation. In this way, degradation of degradation-sensitive drugs, such as polypeptides, in the intestines can be avoided while absorption of proteins and polypeptides from the intestinal tract is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred A. Amkraut, Heechung Yang
  • Patent number: 5618265
    Abstract: An electrically powered transdermal iontophoretic delivery device (10, 20) and a method of making same is provided. The device utilizes electrode assemblies (8, 9 ) composed of a substantially homogenous blend of a polymeric matrix containing about 5 to 50 vol % of a conductive filler which forms a conductive network through the matrix, and up to about 50 vol % of the agent to be iontophoretically delivered through the skin. In the case of the donor electrode assembly, the agent is typically a drug and preferably a water soluble drug salt. In the case of the counter electrode assembly, the agent is typically an electrolyte salt. The homogenous blend eliminates the need for separate electrode and agent containing layers which require lamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Myers, Felix A. Landrau
  • Patent number: 5614578
    Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising an injection-molded housing member free of organic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventors: Liang C. Dong, Patrick S. L. Wong, Crystal Pollock, Vincent J. Ferrari
  • Patent number: 5614211
    Abstract: A device for the transdermal administration of oxybutynin comprising a microporous tie layer located between the oxybutynin reservoir and the contact adhesive. The tie layer eliminates blooming and delamination and has no appreciable adverse effect on either the oxybutynin flux or release rate from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Gale, Eun Soo Lee, Lina T. Taskovich, Terry L. Burkoth
  • Patent number: 5609885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in an osmotic delivery device wherein the device comprises a semipermeable wall comprising cellulose acetate butyrate and surrounding an internal compartment containing a beneficial agent or medicament formulation, a fluid-activated expandable driving member, optionally a partition layer between the agent formulation and the driving member, and, optionally a density member, and exit means in the semipermeable wall; and wherein the improvement comprises the cellulose acetate butyrate component of the semipermeable wall having a differential scanning calorimetry ("DSC") profile wherein the main or primary DSC peak has a minimum temperature peak above 228.degree. C. and the secondary DSC peak area is equal to or less than about 30% of the total combined areas of the primary and secondary DSC peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: ALZA Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Rivera, Sonya Merrill, James B. Eckenhoff, Jeremy C. Wright, James L. Osborne