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.

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.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of plurality of drugs in any desired delivery pattern or profile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a delivery system, the system comprising a wall that surrounds an internal lumen or compartment which contains a thermo-responsive beneficial agent formulation, an expandable driving member and an optional density member, and having an exit opening, and wherein the improvement comprises a) a viscosity-inducing amount of an inert viscosity-inducing agent in the thermo-responsive beneficial agent composition for increasing the viscosity of the beneficial agent composition, and/or b) a pressure-inducing exit member in the exit opening in the wall for increasing the pressure inside the lumen.

Abstract: A fluid-activated delivery device is disclosed comprising a housing defining an internal compartment, a beneficial agent formulation in the compartment, exit means in the housing for delivering the beneficial agent formulation from the delivery device, and wherein the formulation comprises an active agent in an amount of 50 wt % or greater blended with a glyceride or a mixture of glycerides of a fatty acid.

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 member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable 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 invention is also directed to methods and articles for providing a consistent delivery of drug from a ruminal drug delivery device.

Abstract: A density element (12) for use in ruminal delivery devices (10) which is manufactured by partial sintering in such a manner as to fragment upon contact with the many parts in rendering machinery without damage to the blades. The density element (12) has density of at least about 1.5 gm/cm.sup.3 and a transverse rupture strength greater than about 3000 psi no greater than about 30,000 psi. The part is sintered under conditions which do not permit full weld bond strength to be obtained and may thereafter be heat treated or impregnated with an inert hydrophobic material to increase corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of a plurality of discrete drug-containing units in any desired delivery pattern or profile.

Abstract: A density element (12) for use in ruminal delivery devices (10) which is manufactured by partial sintering in such a manner as to fragment upon contact with the many parts in rendering machinery without damage to the blades. The density element (12) has density of at least about 1.5 gm/cm.sup.3 and a transverse rupture strength greater than about 3000 psi no greater than about 30,000 psi. The part is sintered under conditions which do not permit full weld bond strength to be obtained and may thereafter be heat treated or impregnated with an inert hydrophobic material to increase corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a delivery device, the device comprising a wall that surrounds an internal lumen or compartment which contains a beneficial agent or medicament formulation, an expandable driving member and an optional density member, and having an exit means, and wherein the improvement comprises prehydrating the delivery device as a means for advancing the beginning or startup of agent delivery from the delivery system to give earlier release of beneficial agent to the environment of use. An embodiment of the invention concerns a fluid reservoir in contact with the expandable driving member to provide prehydration of the device.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of a plurality of discrete drug-containing units in any desired delivery pattern or profile.

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: This invention relates to an active agent delivery device. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery device that includes a sleeve to protect the delivery device from transient mechanical forces. The delivery device of the invention is robust and resistant to transient mechanical forces. The invention provides a fluid-imbibing delivery device comprising a housing enclosing an internal compartment, said housing having a first wall section that substantially restricts the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is substantially fluid-impermeable, and that contains a beneficial agent; a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is fluid-permeable, and that contains at least one expandable driving member; and exit means; with a protective sleeve means extending from the first wall section of the housing to cover and protect the second wall section of the housing and the junction of the first and second sections.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of a plurality of discrete drug-containing units in any desired delivery pattern or profile.

Abstract: This invention relates to an active agent delivery device. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery device that includes a sleeve to protect the delivery device from transient mechanical forces. The delivery device of the invention is robust and resistant to transient mechanical forces. The invention provides a fluid-imbibing delivery device comprising a housing enclosing an internal compartment, said housing having a first wall section that substantially restricts the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is substantially fluidimpermeable, and that contains a beneficial agent; a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is fluid-permeable, and that contains at least one expandable driving member; and exit means; with a protective sleeve means extending from the first wall section of the housing to cover and protect the second wall section of the housing and the junction of the first and second sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to an active agent delivery device. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery device that includes a sleeve to protect the delivery device from transient mechanical forces. The delivery device of the invention is robust and resistant to transient mechanical forces. The invention provides a fluid-imbibing delivery device comprising a housing enclosing an internal compartment, said housing having a first wall section that substantially restricts the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is substantially fluid-impermeable, and that contains a beneficial agent; a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is fluid-permeable, and that contains at least one expandable driving member; and exit means: with a protective sleeve means extending from the first wall section of the housing to cover and protect the second wall section of the housing and the junction of the first and second sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to an active agent delivery device. More particularly, the invention relates to a delivery device that includes a sleeve to protect the delivery device from transient mechanical forces. The delivery device of the invention is robust and resistant to transient mechanical forces. The invention provides a fluid-imbibing delivery device comprising a housing enclosing an internal compartment, said housing having a first wall section that substantially restricts the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is substantially fluid-impermeable, and that contains a beneficial agent; a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the delivery device, i.e. is fluid-permeable, and that contains at least one expandable driving member; and exit means; with a protective sleeve means extending from the first wall section of the housing to cover and protect the second wall section of the housing and the junction of the first and second sections.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent. The device comprises (1) a semipermeable housing defining a internal space, (2) an optional and presently preferred in the space, (3) a heat responsive composition comprising a beneficial agent in the space, (4) a space consuming member in the device, (5) a non-toxic compound blended with the heat responsive composition for enhancing its viscosity; (6) an exit port in the wall for increasing the internal pressure of the dispenser and for simultaneously letting the beneficial agent exit through said port from the device, and (7) an embodiment comprising a prehydrating fluid for fastening the start-up of delivery from the delivery system.

Abstract: The invention provides a dispensing device comprising a loading dose (first agent delivery means) for short-term and continuous delivery of an agent having a high potency, retained together with a long-term dispensing device (second agent delivery means) capable of a long-term and continuous delivery of agent. The combination of first and second agent delivery means provides a device in which a substantially constant dose of beneficial agent may be delivered to the environment of use over time. A rapid initial delivery of beneficial agent is followed by continuous and prolonged delivery of agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a delivery device, the device comprising a wall that surrounds an internal lumen or compartment which contains a beneficial agent or medicament formulation, an expandable driving member and an optional density member, and having an a exit means, and wherein the improvement comprises prehydrating the delivery device as a means for advancing the beginning or startup of agent delivery from the delivery system to give earlier release of beneficial agent to the environment of use. An embodiment of the invention concerns a fluid reservoir in contact with the expandable driving member to provide prehydration of the device.