Abstract: Water soluble polyacetals having molecular weights from about 5,000-30,000 are formed by condensing three monomers, e.g. a divinyl ether, a water soluble glycol and a diol. The invention is used for the bioerodible controlled release of therapeutic agents from the polyacetal hydrogel.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously administering a physiologically active agent which comprises applying to the skin of a mammal a physiologically active agent in a carrier system which comprises at least one adjuvant and at least one solvent. The adjuvant can be selected from aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogen substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohol esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids, mono- or di-ethers, ketones, or mixtures thereof. The solvent can be selected from thioglycerols, lactic acid and esters thereof, cyclic ureas, compounds represented by the general formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 NCONR.sub.3 R.sub.4, pyrrolidone-type compounds, amides, lactones or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a polymer with at least one labile backbone bond per repeat unit and at least one pendant acid functionality per thousand repeat units.The instant invention is also directed to a controlled release device which comprises:(A) a polymer with at least one labile backbone bond per repeat unit and at least one pendant acid functionality per thousand repeat units; and(B) a beneficial substance incorporated within or surrounded by the matrix of said polymer.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously administering metoclopramide which comprises applying to the skin of a mammal metoclopramide in a carrier system which comprises at least one adjuvant and at least one solvent. The adjuvant is a monovalent alcohol ester of an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid or an aliphatic monoalcohol. The solvent is a pyrrolidone-type compound. Mixtures can also be used.

Abstract: A method of percutaneously administering a physiologically active agent which comprises applying to the skin of a mammal a physiologically active agent in a carrier system which comprises at least one adjuvant and at least one solvent. The adjuvant can be selected from higher monoalcohols or mixtures thereof. The solvent can be selected from thioglycerols, lactic acid and esters thereof, cyclic ureas, compounds represented by the general formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 NCONR.sub.3 R.sub.4, pyrrolidone-type compounds, amides, lactones or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Rearrangement of allyl acetals to ketene acetals is disclosed. The rearrangement is accomplished by mixing the allyl acetal with a solution of an alkali metal lower alkyl in a water-soluble primary amine. After several hours contact with the allyl acetal with the solution ketene acetal formed during the contact is separated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Water-soluble polyesters useful in the preparation of bioerodible hydrogels are described. The polyesters are formed by condensing three monomers: a first monomer which is either an unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid or an unsaturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diol; a second monomer which is a water-soluble polyglycol; and a third monomer which is a dicarboxylic acid having an electron-withdrawing group placed vicinally to a carbonyl group of the acid. Water-soluble polyesters with molecular weights ranging from about 5000 to about 30,000 are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns ortho ester polymers having repeating mer units represented by the general formulas: ##STR1## The polymers are formed by a condensation reaction between ketene acetals having a functionality of two or more and hydroxyl containing compounds having a functionality of two or more. Unlike most conventional condensation reactions, the reaction between a ketene acetal and an alcohol proceeds without the evolution of small molecule by-products which must be removed by distillation in order to achieve high molecular weight. Hence, this new process produces high molecular weight poly (ortho esters) in short reaction times, at essentially room temperature and at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A novel, closed loop drug delivery system has been developed where the presence or absence of an external compound determines delivery of a drug from a bioerodible polymer. In the described delivery system hydrocortisone is incorporated into a n-hexyl half ester of a methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer and the polymer-drug mixture fabricated into discs. These are then coated with a hydrogel containing immobilized urease. In a medium of constant pH and in the absence of external urea, the release of hydrocortisone is that normally expected for that polymer at the given pH. In the presence of external urea, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium hydroxide is generated within the hydrogel which accelerates polymer erosion and hence drug release. Drug delivery rate increase is proportional to the amount of external urea and is reversible, that is, when external urea is removed, the rate of drug release gradually returns to its original value.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: The invention concerns orthoester and orthocarbonate polymers having a repeating mer comprising a hydrocarbon radical and a symmetrical dioxycarbon unit of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrocarbon radicals with at least one of R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 bonded to the dioxycarbon through an oxygen linkage, and which polymers are synthesized by reacting a polyol with an orthoester or orthocarbonate. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture, including devices and coatings for delivering beneficial agents.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: The invention concerns orthoester and orthocarbonate polymers having a repeating mer comprising a hydrocarbon radical and a symmetrical dioxycarbon unit of the general formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN R.sub.1 is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrocarbon radicals with at least one of R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 bonded to the dioxycarbon through an oxygen linkage, and which polymers are synthesized by reacting a polyol with an orthoester or orthocarbonate. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture, including devices and coatings for delivering beneficial agents.

Abstract: The invention concerns orthoester and orthocarbonate polymers having a repeating mer comprising a hydrocarbon radical and a symmetrical dioxycarbon unit of the general formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN R.sub.1 is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrocarbon radicals with at least one of R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 bonded to the dioxycarbon through an oxygen linkage, and which polymers are synthesized by reacting a polyol with an orthoester or orthocarbonate. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture, including devices and coatings for delivering beneficial agents.

Abstract: The invention concerns orthoester and orthocarbonate polymers having a repeating mer comprising a hydrocarbon radical and a symmetrical dioxycarbon unit of the general formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN R.sub.1 is a multivalent hydrocarbon radical, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrocarbon radicals with at least one of R.sub.2 or R.sub.3 bonded to the dioxycarbon through an oxygen linkage, and which polymers are synthesized by reacting a polyol with an orthoester or orthocarbonate. The polymers are useful for making articles of manufacture, including devices and coatings for delivering beneficial agents.

Abstract: Poly(orthoester carbonates) and poly(orthocarbonate carbonates) having a repeating linear carbonate unit and a recurring symmetrical dioxycarbon moiety with a plurality of organic groups pendant from the carbon atom thereof are disclosed. The polymers are represented by the structural formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN A IS 0 TO 1, B IS 2 TO 6 WHEN A IS 0, B IS 2 TO 5 WHEN A IS 1, AND N IS GREATER THAN 10.

Abstract: A device for the controlled continuous administration of an active agent to an environment of use is disclosed. The device comprises a body of erodible agent release rate controlling material containing an agent dispersed therethrough; the rate controlling material is a hydrophobic poly(carboxylic acid) having one ionizable carboxylic hydrogen for each 8 to 12 carbon atoms, which material erodes at a controlled and continuous rate over a prolonged period of time in response to the environment by a process of carboxylic hydrogen ionization, thereby releasing the dispersed agent at a controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.