Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising a wall that surrounds a compartment. The compartment comprises a beneficial agent composition and a push composition. A passageway in the wall connects the compartment with the exterior of the device for delivering the beneficial agent at a rate governed, in combination, by the wall, the beneficial agent composition and the push composition through the passageway of the device over time.

Abstract: A diffusional drug delivery device is described which can provide for delayed onset of therapeutic effect and for delivery of the therapeutic agent in predetermined temporal patterns at optimum rates. Delay means are provided between the agent reservoir and the surface through which the agent is released by diffusion to delay the release of agent at a therapeutic rate for predetermined times after application. Suitable means include a delay membrane disposed between the releasing surface and the agent reservoir which membrane is preferably free of undissolved agent and/or is initially impermeable to the agent and thereafter becomes permeable. One or more agent chambers defined by one or more of such membranes may be provided, whereby agents are released in a predetermined temporal pattern at optimal release rates.

Abstract: An osmotic device for delivering a beneficial drug, such as an anti-fungal, into the mouth of a human patient is disclosed. The device has a size and shape adapting it to be comfortably retained in the mouth for extended periods of time. The device comprises a wall surrounding a compartment housing a layer of an agent that is insoluble to very soluble in aqueous biological fluids, e.g., saliva, and a layer of a fluid swellable, hydrophilic polymer. A passageway in the wall connects the agent with the exterior of the device. The wall is permeable to the passage of aqueous biological fluid but substantially impermeable to the passage of the hydrophilic polymer. In one embodiment the beneficial agent has a different color than the hydrophilic polymer. The wall is sufficiently translucent to permit the patient to see the amount of drug/beneficial agent remaining to be delivered.

Abstract: An implantable osmotically driven syringe is disclosed which can be used to deliver a beneficial agent, such as a drug, at a predetermined rate over an extended period of time. A movable piston divides the syringe into a beneficial agent-containing compartment and a driving compartment. The piston is movable into a position wherein the driving compartment has a volume of essentially zero. The syringe is driven by an osmotic engine which has a shaped wall surrounding, and in contact with, an osmotic solute. The wall is comprised of a semipermeable and/or microporous material which is permeable to the external fluid (e.g., water) but is impermeable to the solute. The engine also has a passageway forming a fluid flow path between the osmotic solute and the driving compartment. A portion of the wall is exposed to a fluid-containing external environment. At least about 30% of the wall which contacts the solute also is exposed to the fluid in the external environment.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising the antidiabetic drug glipizide for administering to a patient in need of glipizide therapy.

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: An osmotic device for delivering a beneficial drug, such as an anti-fungal, into the mouth of a human patient is disclosed. The device has a size and shape adapting it to be comfortably retained in the mouth for extended periods of time. The device comprises a wall surrounding a compartment housing a layer of an agent that is insoluble to very soluble in aqueous biological fluid, e.g., saliva, and a layer of a fluid swellable, hydrophilic polymer. A passageway in the wall connects the agent with the exterior of the device. The wall is permeable to the passage of aqueous biological fluid but substantially impermeable to the passage of the hydrophilic polymer. In one embodiment the beneficial agent has a different color than the hydrophilic polymer. The wall is sufficiently translucent to permit the patient to see the amount of drug/beneficial agent remaining to be delivered.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a first composition comprising two different polyethylene oxide osmopolymers for delivering a drug at a controlled rate over time.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a cured emulsion that coat that surrounds a drug. The emulsion comprises a lower alkyl acrylate-lower alkyl methacrylate copolymer and ethyl cellulose. The emulsion optionally comprises a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: A dosage form comprising (1) an immediately available dose of a beneficial drug followed by a timed delayed dose of drug, or (2) a timed delayed dose of drug.

Abstract: An osmotically driven pump is provided that is capable of being miniaturized to a size suited for swallowing or implanting in an animal. The pump may be used to administer a drug in fluid form after an initial activation period during which substantially no drug is administered. The basic components of the pump are a shaped semipermeable membrane that encapsulates an osmotically effective solute and preferably a drug or other beneficial agent and a discharge port through which the drug or other beneficial agent is dispensed. A semipermeable or microporous outer cover surrounds the semipermeable membrane and seals it from an external aqueous environment. A water-swellable composition is operatively positioned between the end of the semipermeable membrane and the outer cover. Preferably, a water wicking layer at least partially surrounds the semipermeable membrane and is also sealed within the outer cover. In operation, the pump is placed in an aqueous environment.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a drug, a neutral hydrogel and an ionic hydrogel. The composition can be administered from a delivery system to a biological receptor over time.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for delivering diltiazem at a controlled and substantially zero order rate over a prolonged period of time.

Abstract: The invention is for a vaginal dispenser comprising a wall surrounding an internal lumen and having a pair of ends with one end placed inside the other end to form a closed dispenser. A vaginally administrable beneficial agent is housed in the lumen for release by the dispenser over time.

Abstract: A dosage form is disclosed comprising a wall surrounding a compartment housing a first layer comprising a drug formulation, a middle layer comprising a hydrophobic composition, and a third layer comprising a hydrophilic composition.

Abstract: A dispenser for use in a fluid environment which is capable of delivery of plurality of discrete drug containing layers in any desired delivery pattern or profile. The dispenser comprises a rigid housing containing a plurality of drug layers which may be separated by drug-free layers. An outlet is provided at one end of the housing and a fluid actuated driving means is provided between the other end of the housing and the drug layers. The portion of the housing in proximity to the driving means has a controlled permeability to water whereby, upon immersion in a fluid environment the drug layers are driven towards the outlet. Various delivery patterns are possible by appropriate selection of the comparison and dimensions of the drug and drug-free layers.

Abstract: A dosage form comprising (1) an immediately available dose of a beneficial drug followed by a timed delayed dose of drug, or (2) a timed delayed dose of drug.

Abstract: An osmotic device is disclosed comprising an estrogenic and a progestogenic steroid that are delivered as a contraceptive pair for fertility regulation in a female.

Abstract: A dispenser is enclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an environment of use. The dispenser comprising a wall that surrounds an internal space comprising a first means in the dispenser for changing from a dispenser state to an environment of use state on leaving the dispenser, a beneficial agent in the first means, and a second means in the dispenser for aiding in displacing the first means from the dispenser.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a programmable delivery system.