Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for delivering a drug to a sinus in a subject are provided. The compositions are formed by the combination of a carrier material and a drug and are specially adapted for delivery to a sinus. The compositions have no fixed shape, and the carrier material serves to increase the viscosity or specific volume of the composition after introduction of the composition into the sinus. Also provided are methods for delivering a drug to a subject. The methods entail administering a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention directly to a sinus. The drug is then released from the composition to the sinus. The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered to a sinus in liquid form, for example, as a suspension or solution using standard techniques. Also provided is the use of a carrier material in the manufacture of a drug delivery composition. The drug delivery composition is for delivering a drug to a sinus in a subject.

Abstract: A method of increasing the delivery efficiency of an agent through a body surface by electrotransport is disclosed wherein the electrotransport current is applied for durations at a higher current density values followed by durations of lower current density values wherein the higher current density applications transform the body surface to an enhanced, non-transitory agent delivery efficiency state.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device, comprising an electrochemical pump, wherein the pump is capable of transporting water; a pump product chamber, wherein the pump product chamber is capable of retaining water generated from the pump; a displaceable member positioned between the pump product chamber and a reservoir, wherein the displaceable member is controllably displaced upon generation of water from the electrochemical pump; a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is capable of containing a fluid which is delivered upon displacement of the displaceable member; and an housing for containing the pump, the pump product chamber, the displaceable member, and the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for controllably adjusting a fluid delivery device. The device includes an electrochemical pump capable of transporting a fluid. A displaceable member is positioned between a pump product chamber and a reservoir, wherein the pump product chamber is capable of retaining water generated from the pump. The displaceable member is controllably displaced upon generation of water from the electrochemical pump and the reservoir contains the fluid that is delivered upon displacement of the displaceable member.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulations and related methods that comprise a non-polymeric, non-water soluble high viscosity liquid carrier material having a viscosity of at least 5,000 cP at 37° C. that does not crystallize neat under ambient or physiological conditions; a specified linear polymer comprising lactide repeat units; and one or more solvents that have a solvent capacity.

Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a local concentration management system (LCMS) for delivery of highly concentrated therapeutic agent formulations. The LCMS comprises a device comprising an elongate body defining a lumen between its proximal and distal ends, and a diffuser element, a dilutor element, or both. The diffuser element, which is selectively permeable to the agent, is operatively associated with the elongate body so that agent flows through the elongate body, and into and through the diffuser element to exit the system. The dilutor element can be operatively associated with the system to be in fluid communication with the elongate body lumen, a diffusion space defined by a diffuser element inner wall, or both. The dilutor element is selectively water permeable, but substantially impermeable to agent, to provide for dilution of the agent during transit through the system. The LCMS system is designed to disperse and/or dilute the drug delivery stream.

Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Transdermal delivery systems for administering sufentanil through the skin are provided. The systems contain a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain a constant state of analgesia when applied to a subject. The systems are characterized as having one or more features including a high degree of dosage form rate control over flux of sufentanil from the system, a high net flux of sufentanil from the system through the skin, lack of a permeation enhancer, an adhesive member demonstrating superior shear time, a low coefficient of variation in the net flux of sufentanil from the system, a high delivery efficiency, and a substantially constant steady state net flux of sufentanil from the system. Methods of using the transdermal delivery systems to administer a sufficient amount of sufentanil to induce and maintain analgesia for extended periods when applied to a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for the systemic delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) to treat pain. In the present invention, a drug formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener is stored within a drug delivery device (e.g., contained in a reservoir or impregnated within a matrix within the controlled drug delivery device). The drug formulation comprises an amount of drug sufficient for treatment and is stable at body temperatures (i.e., no unacceptable degradation) for the entire pre-selected treatment period. The drug delivery devices store the drug formulation safely (e.g., without dose dumping), provide sufficient protection from bodily processes to prevent unacceptable degradation of the formulation, and release the drug formulation in a controlled fashion at a therapeutically effective rate to treat pain.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for the systemic delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) to treat pain. In the present invention, a drug formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener is stored within a drug delivery device (e.g., contained in a reservoir or impregnated within a matrix within the controlled drug delivery device). The drug formulation comprises an amount of drug sufficient for treatment and is stable at body temperatures (i.e., no unacceptable degradation) for the entire pre-selected treatment period. The drug delivery devices store the drug formulation safely (e.g., without dose dumping), provide sufficient protection from bodily processes to prevent unacceptable degradation of the formulation, and release the drug formulation in a controlled fashion at a therapeutically effective rate to treat pain.

Abstract: The present invention is disclosed herein as an electrochemical cell having a cell housing with a first half cell and a second half cell, and an ion selective membrane between the cells. The electrochemical cell further has a first electrode positioned within the first half cell, a second electrode positioned within the second half cell, an electrolyte in electrical communication with both the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrodes of the cell are configured so that the electrochemical cell maintains a substantially constant salt concentration level throughout operation. The cell is preferably used in conjunction with an implantable fluid delivery apparatus. A method for using the device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery of drugs to the heart or cardiac vasculature using fully implanted sustained-release dosage forms.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a protein or polypeptide, and an osmotic agent. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmopolymer from the protein or peptide. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmotic agent. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: The invention provides a local concentration management system (LCMS) for delivery of highly concentrated therapeutic agent formulations. The LCMS comprises a device comprising an elongate body defining a lumen between its proximal and distal ends, and a diffuser element, a dilutor element, or both. The diffuser element, which is selectively permeable to the agent, is operatively associated with the elongate body so that agent flows through the elongate body, and into and through the diffuser element to exit the system. The dilutor element can be operatively associated with the system to be in fluid communication with the elongate body lumen, a diffusion space defined by a diffuser element inner wall, or both. The dilutor element is selectively water permeable, but substantially impermeable to agent, to provide for dilution of the agent during transit through the system. The LCMS system is designed to disperse and/or dilute the drug delivery stream.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a protein or peptide, and an osmotic agent. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmopolymer from the protein or peptide. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmotic agent. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment to cause the piston to move and, in turn, cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: A percutaneous agent delivery or sampling device comprising a sheet having a plurality of microblades for piercing and anchoring to the skin for increasing transdermal flux of an agent and for improving the attachment of the device to the skin.