Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed comprising a housing formed of a semipermeable polymer having a hydrophilic polymer grafted thereto. The housing surrounds a container made of an elastomeric material and the container has an outlet through the housing to the exterior of the dispenser.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing an useful agent. The system comprises (1) means for storing an agent, (2) an agent stored in the means, (3) means for releasing agent from the system, (4) means for absorbing fluid into the system surrounding the storing means, and (5) means for admitting fluid into the system. In operation fluid is admitted into the system by the admitting means cooperating with the absorbing means, causing it to increase in dimensions and apply force against the storing means, which force urges the storing means to decrease its dimensions and correspondingly dispense agent through the releasing means from the system. Laminates are disclosed useful for manufacturing the system.

Abstract: Hollow fiber reactors for growing microbial cells. Isotropic hollow fibers are supported in a housing inoculated with cells. Nutrient medium passing through the lumen undergoes a pressure drop resulting in radial convective flow: the nutrient medium flows outwardly from the lumen into the surrounding area adjacent the entry port and fluid surrounding the hollow fiber flows into the lumen adjacent the exit port. With the efficient distribution of nutrients and removal of product, high cell densities are achieved providing for high product yields per unit reactor volume.

Abstract: Methods for microbiological processing of organic materials for production of valuable products. Asymmetric hollow fibers are employed in a flow reactor, where the hollow fibers have a semipermeable membrane surrounding a lumen, where the semipermeable membrane is supported by a sponge structure. The pores of the sponge structure serve as a housing for microorganisms or cells with high density packing of the microorganisms or cells in the pores. Nutrient medium continuously flowing through the lumen provides nutrients to the microorganisms or cells as well as any substrates to be processed by the microorganisms or cells. The nutrients and substrates diffuse through the semipermeable membrane into the pores, where they are processed, and the metabolic products diffuse into the lumen. The lumen effluent is then processed for the desired products. Optionally, oxygen is provided external to the hollow fiber to enhance the amount of oxygen available to the microorganisms and cells.

Abstract: A process for forming polymeric particles from water-soluble polymers by introducing the polymer into an aqueous salt solution in which the salt is of a composition and present in an amount sufficient to inhibit solubilization of the polymer therein and subsequently introducing into the aqueous medium a multifunctional reagent and mixing said aqueous medium for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cause reaction between the polymer and the reagent. The resultant solid polymer is readily recovered.

Abstract: Poly(vinyl acetate) latex reacted with an aldehyde at acid pH to prepare crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) suitable as water-loss agent in drilling fluids.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed comprising a housing formed of a laminate of a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer layer grafted to a noncross-linked hydrophilic layer. The housing surrounds a container made of an elastomeric material and the container has an outlet through the housing to the exterior of the dispenser.

Abstract: An osmotically driven fluid dispenser is disclosed comprising a flexible container having a port for filling and emptying same, a layer of an osmotically effective solute on the container, and a shape retaining microporous housing having a fluid rate controlling material in its micropores. The dispenser can be used for delivering fluids and solid agents, and as a displacement pump.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for dispensing an useful agent. The system comprises (1) means for storing an agent, (2) an agent stored in the means, (3) means for releasing agent from the system, (4) means for absorbing fluid into the system surrounding the storing means, and (5) means for admitting fluid into the system. In operation fluid is admitted into the system by the admitting means cooperating with the absorbing means, causing it to increase in dimensions and apply force against the storing means, which force urges the storing means to decrease its dimensions and correspondingly dispense agent through the releasing means from the system. Laminates are disclosed useful for manufacturing the system.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided concerning stable supersaturated aqueous solutions of sparingly soluble inorganic salts. The method involves exceeding the solubility level of a sparingly soluable inorganic salt in water at ambient temperatures in the presence of polyanionic polyelectrolyte having a molecular weight of at least about 900 daltons and an ionic equivalent weight of not greater than about 65 and at least five ionizable groups per molecule. The solubility level may be exceeded by cooling a saturated solution of the sparingly soluble salt, preparing the sparingly soluble salt in situ, or adding a soluble salt having a common ion with the sparingly soluble salt to a concentrated or saturated solution of the sparingly soluble salt.

Abstract: A self-powered cervical dilator is disclosed. The dilator comprises (1) an expandable housing positioned around (2) a swellable laminate, which laminate surrounds (3) a support member. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina formed of a swellable polymer facing the housing. In operation, when the dilator is in the cervical canal, fluid therefrom is imbibed by the laminate into the dilator causing the laminate to swell and apply pressure against and expand the housing, which housing correspondingly exerts force against the walls of the cervical canal thereby dilating the canal.

Abstract: A self-powered device for dispensing a medicament is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a rigid housing defining an internal space, (2) a container in the housing formed of a stretched polymer and having a passage-way connecting the container with the exterior of the device, (3) a medicament in the container, and (4) and expandable laminate surrounding the container positioned between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina of a swellable, hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological fluid environment, fluid therefrom is imbibed by the laminate into the housing, causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby shrinking the container to an unstretched state, which decreases its volume and concomitantly pumps medicament through the passageway at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: A self-powered device for delivering drug is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a substantially rigid housing, (2) a collapsible container storing a drug and having a passageway for delivering the drug in the housing, and (3) an expandable laminate positioned between the housing and the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina placed adjacent to the container and formed of a swellable hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological environment, fluid from the environment is imbibed by the laminate into the housing causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby collapsing the container and concomitantly pumping drug through the passageway from the device at a correspondingly controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A self-powered device for delivering drug is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a substantially rigid housing, (2) a collapsible container storing a drug and having a passageway for delivering the drug in the housing, and (3) an expandable laminate positioned between the housing and the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina placed adjacent to the container and formed of a swellable hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological environment, fluid from the environment is imbibed by the laminate into the housing causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby collapsing the container and concomitantly pumping drug through the passageway from the device at a correspondingly controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: Therapeutic system in the form of a skin patch that administers clonidine transdermally in an initial priming dose of 10 to 300 mcg/cm.sup.2 of skin that brings the concentration of clonidine in the blood to a level sufficient to elicit alpha-adrenergic stimulation without intolerable side effects, followed by a substantially constant continuous dosage in the range of 0.1 to 100 mcg/hr that maintains said level. The system is a four-layer laminate of, from the top: a protective backing; a gelled, mineral oil-polyisobutene-clonidine reservoir lamina that is the source of the clonidine for the continuous constant dosage; a microporous membrane that controls the constant dosage rate; and a gelled, mineral oil-polyisobutene-clonidine contact adhesive layer that is the source of the clonidine for the priming dose and the means by which the system is attached to the skin.

Abstract: A self-powered device for dispensing a medicament is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a rigid housing defining an internal space, (2) a container in the housing formed of a stretched polymer and having a passageway connecting the container with the exterior of the device, (3) a medicament in the container, and (4) an expandable laminate surrounding the container position between the interior of the housing and the exterior of the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina of a swellable, hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological fluid environment, fluid therefrom is imbibed by the laminate into the housing, causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby shrinking the container to an unstretched state, which decreases its volume and concomitantly pumps medicament through the passageway at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: Means for administering an amphipathic medicament by micelle solubilization is disclosed. The micelle consists of a nonionic surfactant medicament adduct. The adduct is coated onto an osmotically effective solute and housed in an osmotic therapeutic system for administering the medicament in a therapeutically effective amount over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A self-powered device for delivering drug is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a substantially rigid housing, (2) a collapsible container storing a drug and having a passageway for delivering the drug in the housing, and (3) an expandable laminate positioned between the housing and the container. The laminate comprises (a) a lamina formed of an absorbent material laminated to (b) a lamina placed adjacent to the container and formed of a swellable hydrophilic polymer. In operation, when the device is in a biological environment, fluid from the environment is imbibed by the laminate into the housing causing the laminate to expand and exert pressure on the container, thereby collapsing the container and concomitantly pumping drug through the passageway from the device at a correspondingly controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: A drug delivery for administering drug to an aqueous body environment at a substantially constant rate. The devices consist essentially of a mixture of drug of specific average particle size dispersed in a polymer of specific water permeability, tensile strength, and Young's modulus in specific volume proportions such that the particles are surrounded substantially individually by the polymer. The constancy of the release rate of drug from the devices is governed by the drug particle size and volume proportion of drug in the mixture.

Abstract: An osmotic device for releasing a useful agent at different release rate patterns from the device in a selected environment is disclosed. The device is comprised of a wall surrounding and forming a compartment as a means for containing a useful agent and having a passageway for releasing the agent. The wall is comprised in at least a part of a material permeable to an external fluid and impermeable to the agent. A layer of a pattern rate controlling material that erodes in a selected environment for changing the release rate pattern of the device is carried on the semipermeable wall distant from the compartment. The agent is soluble in the fluid and exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the semipermeable wall against the fluid, or the agent has limited solubility and is admixed with an osmotically effective solute soluble in the fluid that exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient across the semipermeable wall against the fluid.