Abstract: An electrotransport agent delivery device (10) for delivering a therapeutic agent through intact skin, and a method of operating same, is provided. The device applies a pulsing electrotransport current wherein current pulses have a magnitude above a critical level (Ic) at which the skin is transformed into a higher electrotransport delivery efficiency (E) state. Most preferably the length of the applied current pulses is at least 5 msec and preferably at least 10 msec.

Abstract: An electrotransport agent delivery device (10) for delivering a therapeutic agent through intact skin, and a method of operating same, is provided. The device applies a pulsing electrotransport current wherein the length of the applied current pulses is at least 5 msec and preferably at least 10 msec. Most preferably, the current pulses have a magnitude above a critical level (Ic) at which the skin is transformed into a higher electrotransport delivery efficiency (E) state.

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 polypeptide. 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 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: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a beneficial agent, and an osmopolymer including a tablet. 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 beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmopolymer. The osmopolymer imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and, in turn, cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: An agent delivery or sampling device (2) comprising a member (6) having a plurality of blades (4) for piercing the skin and a connecting medium (65) covering at least a part of the skin contacting side (48) of the member (6) for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: An electro-osmotic cell capable of substantially reducing zero-current transport is disclosed, wherein the cell includes a cell housing having a first half cell and a second half cell, with an ion selective membrane therebetween, a first electrode positioned within the first half cell, a second electrode positioned within the second half cell, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, and a wiring apparatus electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the wiring apparatus has one or more structures used for counteracting salt concentration increases within the electro-osmotic cell. Such a cell may be used within an electro-osmotic fluid delivery device, along with a fluid inlet, a piston member adjacent the electro osmotic cell, and a drug reservoir adjacent the piston member, wherein the drug reservoir includes a sealed compartment having an exit port. A method for using such a device is similarly disclosed.

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: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a beneficial agent, and an osmopolymer including a tablet. 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 beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmopolymer. The osmopolymer imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: The invention features a plug for use with a drug delivery device, wherein the plug defines an expansion control channel, which accommodates thermal expansion of a formulation in a reservoir of a drug delivery device, and an exit channel. In one embodiment, the plug comprises an inner plug member and an outer plug member, which members define an expansion control channel to facilitate release of entrapped air and to accommodate thermal expansion of formulation from the sealed drug reservoir. The plug further defines an exit channel, and may optionally further comprise a frit positioned within the flow pathway just prior to the delivery outlet, or both.

Abstract: An electro-osmotic cell capable of substantially reducing zero-current transport is disclosed, wherein the cell includes a cell housing having a first half cell and a second half cell, with an ion selective membrane therebetween, a first electrode positioned within the first half cell, a second electrode positioned within the second half cell, an electrolyte in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, and a wiring apparatus electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the wiring apparatus has one or more structures used for counteracting salt concentration increases within the electro-osmotic cell. Such a cell may be used within an electro-osmotic fluid delivery device, along with a fluid inlet, a piston member adjacent the electro osmotic cell, and a drug reservoir adjacent the piston member, wherein the drug reservoir includes a sealed compartment having an exit port. A method for using such a device is similarly disclosed.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the position, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent including a tablet. 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 osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmotic agent. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: Flow regulators for implantable drug delivery devices (100) and drug delivery devices produced therewith. Implantable drug delivery devices (100) employing diffusion, osmosis, electrodiffusion, electroosmosis, or a combination of one or more of these for driving one or more drugs therefrom are provided with cover members (126, 128) for varying at least one of an effective cross-sectional area and transport characteristics through which fluids diffuse or osmose. The cover members may be remotely actuated from a location outside of an implantation site after implantation of a device.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for treatment of pain. The drug delivery device is a drug delivery system adapted for whole implantation in a subject and to provide pain relief by delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) over a protracted period of time (e.g., at least 3 days or more than 3 days). The device comprises a housing defining a reservoir that contains a drug formulation, a pump operatively connected to the housing so as to facilitate movement of drug out of the reservoir and out of the device, and a thermal expansion element which defines a flow pathway comprising a thermal expansion channel to accommodate thermal expansion of formulation in the reservoir. The device can further comprise a valve positioned within the flow pathway so as to prevent movement of drug out of the reservoir prior to use.

Abstract: The present invention features a composite catheter comprising an elongate outer member and an elongate inner member positioned within the outer member so that the inner and outer members define an interstitial space. The outer member has a size and other characteristics that facilitate handling and implantation of the composite catheter, while the inner diameter of the inner member has the size and other characteristics suitable for delivery of a drug through a lumen of the inner member. The interstitial space imparts flexibility to the composite catheter by, for example, removing material from the cross-sectional area that would otherwise provide additional stiffness to the catheter, and/or by accommodating movement of the outer member relative to the inner member.

Abstract: An agent delivery or sampling device (2) comprising a member (6) having a plurality of blades (4) for piercing the skin and a connecting medium (65) covering at least a part of the skin contacting side (48) of the member (6) for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: Devices and methods of actuating/activating agent delivery systems are provided. The subject devices include a trocar into which an agent delivery device is loaded in preparation for implantation of the agent delivery device into a patient. The action of loading the agent delivery device into the trocar serves to actuate or activate the device for the delivery of the agent which will commence upon implantation of the device. The methods include use of the trocar to actuate/activate the agent delivery device.

Abstract: An electrotransport agent delivery device (10) for delivering a therapeutic agent through intact skin, and a method of operating same, is provided. The device applies a pulsing electrotransport current wherein the length of the applied current pulses is at least 5 msec and preferably at least 10 msec. Most preferably, the current pulses have a magnitude above a critical level (Ic) at which the skin is transformed into a higher electrotransport delivery efficiency (E) state.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for delivery of very low dosages to the inner ear. The device is a self-contained unit that reproducibly and consistently delivers a dose of therapeutic agent that is effective, yet below the ototoxic threshold for that agent. The invention further provides therapeutic methods using the device of the invention.

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.