Abstract: A tablet comprising a core which is at least partially coated with an outer layer obtained by electrostatic deposition of a powder and subsequent fusing of the deposited powder to form a film characterised in that a surface of the tablet coated with said outer layer is contoured to provide higher regions and lower regions, the outer layer having a different colour in said lower regions to the outer layer in said higher regions.

Abstract: A method for the production of a capsule shell comprises preparing the capsule shell by electrostatic powder deposition. A plurality of capsule shells may be produced by a process comprising electrostatically applying a powder coating material to a plurality of shaped substrates, treating the powder to form a continuous coating layer on each of the shaped substrates, and removing the shaped coating layers from the substrate to provide hollow capsule shells. An apparatus for the production of a capsule shell includes a substrate, a source of charged powder material and a voltage source for applying a bias voltage between the source of powder material and the substrate to generate an electric field therebetween such that powder material is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the coating of a surgical device, wherein the coating is carried out by electrostatic Powder deposition. The device may be a device used in a surgical or diagnostic procedure, including interventional devices as well as implantable devices. Because the coating is applied electrostatically, it is attracted to all parts of the device, not just those parts that are in the ‘line of sight’ of the spray, as is the case with conventional liquid spray coating. The process allows uniform and reproducible amounts to be deposited and thus drug-eluting coatings can be accurately applied to stents and other surgical devices, resulting in good control over drug release. Furthermore, drug-eluting coats can be applied in a single step, although multiple layers can easily be applied if desired to create a specific drug release profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically applying a powder material to a solid dosage from includes a source (1) of charged powder material, a support assembly (2) for supporting the solid dosage form (3) with a front face in the vicinity of the source of powder material and facing the source of powder material, the support assembly (2) including an electrically conducting member (5) in the vicinity of the rear face of the solid dosage form and an electrically conducting shield (8) disposed closely around the solid dosage from (3) between the front face and the rear face of the solid dosage form, and means (4) for creating a potential difference between the source of powder material and the electrically conducting member and for maintaining the electrically conducting shield at a potential more similar to that of the source of powder material than to that of the electrically conducting member.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically applying a powder material to a solid dosage from includes a source (1) of charged powder material, a support assembly (2) for supporting the solid dosage form (3) with a front face in the vicinity of the source of powder material and facing the source of powder material, the support assembly (2) including an electrically conducting member (5) in the vicinity of the rear face of the solid dosage form and an electrically conducting shield (8) disposed closely around the solid dosage from (3) between the front face and the rear face of the solid dosage form, and means (4) for creating a potential difference between the source of powder material and the electrically conducting member and for maintaining the electrically conducting shield at a potential more similar to that of the source of powder material than to that of the electrically conducting member.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising: a) a tablet core comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient and one or more pharmaceutically active ingredient and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, the tablet core having a tensile strength of less than 38 N/cm2 before coating and fusion and b) a coating extending over at least 25% of the surface area of the tablet core, the coating resulting from deposition of a powder comprising fusible particles and fusing the particles to form a coating film, thereby providing the pharmaceutical dosage form with a greater hardness/crush strength than the tablet core. The tablet core may be formed by light compression with enables coated components and fragile components, such as capsules, to be used within the compression blend with little or no damage.

Abstract: In a method of electrostatically applying a powder material to a solid dosage form, charged powder material is applied to a photoconductive drum (3), is transferred to an intermediate belt (4) and then to a solid dosage form (5). The belt (4) makes contact with the solid dosage form (5).

Abstract: A tablet comprising a core which is at least partially coated with an outer layer obtained by electrostatic deposition of a powder and subsequent fusing of the deposited powder to form a film characterised in that a surface of the tablet coated with said outer layer is contoured to provide higher regions and lower regions, the outer layer having a different colour in said lower regions to the outer layer in said higher regions.

Abstract: In a method of electrostatically applying a powder material to a solid dosage form, charged powder material is applied to a photoconductive drum (3), is transferred to an intermediate belt (4) and then to a solid dosage form (5). The belt (4) makes contact with the solid dosage form (5).

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for intra-rectal administration in the form of a foam are described which comprise a therapeutically effective amount of 5-aminosalicylic acid, a pharmaceutically acceptable aqueous carrier therefor, and means for generating a foam.