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 driving member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable driving 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 barrier means further includes a coupling to transfer osmotic pressure to the semipermeable wall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The wall may further comprise an end cap which may be adapted for ultrasonic welding to the first wall section and may maintain the beneficial agent in contact with an exit. The compartment comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable driving member. The delivery system comprises an exit for delivering the beneficial agent to the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions for improving the chemical and physical stability of peptides and proteins. The invention provides a liquid beneficial agent formulation containing a liquid suspension comprising at least 5% by weight beneficial agent and having a viscosity and beneficial agent size which minimizes settling of the agent in suspension over the extended delivery period.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive active agent such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a first wall section, a second wall section and a locking coupling therebetween. The coupled wall sections define a compartment, enclosing an active agent and an expandable driving member. Various embodiments of the locking coupling are disclosed.

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 driving member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable driving 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 barrier means further includes a coupling to transfer osmotic pressure to the semipermeable wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions for improving the chemical and physical stability of peptides and proteins. The invention provides a liquid beneficial agent formulation containing a liquid suspension comprising at least 5% by weight beneficial agent and having a viscosity and beneficial agent size which minimizes settling of the agent in suspension over the extended delivery period.

Abstract: A delivery system (10) is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent (7) such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. An exit passageway is provided for delivering the beneficial agent an interior compartment (18) to the animal. The exit passageway is sealed with a wax seal (30) which is expelled through the passageway (13) as the internal pressure within the device (10) reaches a predetermined "bursting" pressure.

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 driving member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable driving 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 barrier means further includes a coupling to transfer osmotic pressure to the semipermeable wall.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive active agent such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a first wall section, a second wall section and a locking coupling therebetween. The coupled wall sections define a compartment, enclosing an active agent and an expandable driving member. Various embodiments of the locking coupling are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved.

Abstract: A delivery system is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. The wall may further comprise an end cap which may include means for adapting the end cap for ultrasonic welding to the first wall section and means for maintaining the beneficial agent in contact with exit means. The compartment comprises a beneficial agent and an expandable means. The delivery system comprises exit means for delivering the beneficial agent to the animal.

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: A delivery system (10) is disclosed for delivering a fluid-sensitive beneficial agent (7) such as a somatotropin, or an analogue or derivative thereof, to an animal such as a bovine. The delivery system comprises a wall that surrounds an internal compartment, said wall comprising a first wall section that limits the passage of fluid into the system and a second wall section that permits the passage of fluid into the system. An exit passageway is provided for delivering the beneficial agent an interior compartment (18) to the animal. The exit passageway is sealed with a wax seal (30) which is expelled through the passageway (13) as the internal pressure within the device (10) reaches a predetermined "bursting" pressure.

Abstract: An implantable dispenser is enclosed comprising a wall surrounding a compartment containing a first composition comprising a beneficial agent, an oil, a cosolvent and a polymer gellant, a second expandable composition, a third boundary maintaining composition between the first and second composition, and an exit port.

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 driving member, a drug to be dispensed, a density element and, optionally, a partition layer between the osmotic expandable driving 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 barrier means further includes a coupling to transfer osmotic pressure to the semipermeable wall.

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: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a first layer and a second layer. The first layer provides immediate therapy and comprises a drug stereoisomer and the second layer provides prolonged therapy and comprises a drug racemate.

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: A drug delivery capsule from which the delivery of the drug is driven by the osmotic infusion of moisture by the capsule from a physiological environment is provided with a delivery orifice which opens intermittently to achieve a pulsatile delivery effect. The wall in which the orifice is formed is constructed of an elastic material, preferably an elastomer, which stretches under a pressure differential caused by the pressure rise inside the capsule as the osmotic infusion progresses. The orifice is small enough that when the elastic wall is relaxed, the flow rate of drug through the orifice is substantially zero, but that when the elastic wall is stretched due to the pressure differential across the wall exceeding a threshold, the orifice expands sufficiently to allow the release of the drug at a physiologically beneficial rate.