Abstract: Dosage form unit is provided to deliver one or more beneficial agents into a fluid, such as liquid enteral nutritional product. The dosage form unit includes a core containing at least one beneficial agent, preferably a marker dye, which is dispersible in the fluid. The core also contains a compatible binding agent to bind the beneficial agent together. Additional components of the core may include a plasticizer, a standard flow agent, a lubricant, additional tableting aids and at least one hydrophilic agent. A latex coating encases the core. The latex coating includes a mixture containing a substantially hydrophobic base material, preferably formed from an emulsion of cellulose acetate microspheres, which is capable of defining a matrix-type membrane, and at least one hydrophilic component being dispersible in the fluid. A dispersible beneficial agent is preferred as one of the hydrophilic components of the latex coating to allow immediate release of the beneficial agent therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering characteristics of a fluid. The apparatus includes a canister having a side wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall defining a chamber therein. A beneficial agent is disposed in the chamber. The end walls define apertures therethrough. The apparatus further includes a tubing portion defining a first end portion constructed for connection to a fluid source and an outlet portion. The tubing portion also defines a canister-receiving portion intermediate the first end portion and the outlet portion. The canister-receiving portion defines a first fluid flow channel fluidly connecting the first end portion and the second outlet portion of said tubing portion. The canister-receiving portion also defines first and second fluid flow orifices therethrough.

Abstract: Dosage form unit is provided to deliver one or more beneficial agents into a fluid, such as liquid enteral nutritional product. The dosage form unit includes a core containing at least one beneficial agent, preferably a marker dye, which is dispersible in the fluid. The core also contains a compatible binding agent to bind the beneficial agent together. Additional components of the core may include a plasticizer, a standard flow agent, a lubricant, additional tableting aids and at least one hydrophilic agent. A latex coating encases the core. The latex coating includes a mixture containing a substantially hydrophobic base material, preferably formed from an emulsion of cellulose acetate microspheres, which is capable of defining a matrix-type membrane, and at least one hydrophilic component being dispersible in the fluid. A dispersible beneficial agent is preferred as one of the hydrophilic components of the latex coating to allow immediate release of the beneficial agent therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product. The apparatus includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the chamber is constructed to be fluidly connected to a supply container containing a liquid enteral nutritional. The chamber defines an interior space. The apparatus further includes a retainer disposed in the interior space defined by the chamber. The retainer is constructed to receive one or more dosage form units of beneficial agent therein. The apparatus further includes at least one dosage form unit of beneficial agent retained by the retainer.

Abstract: Dosage form unit is provided to deliver one or more beneficial agents into a fluid, such as liquid enteral nutritional product. The dosage form unit includes a core containing at least one beneficial agent, preferably a marker dye, which is dispersible in the fluid. The core also contains a compatible binding agent to bind the beneficial agent together. Additional components of the core may include a plasticizer, a standard flow agent, a lubricant, additional tableting aids and at least one hydrophilic agent. A latex coating encases the core. The latex coating includes a mixture containing a substantially hydrophobic base material, preferably formed from an emulsion of cellulose acetate microspheres, which is capable of defining a matrix-type membrane, and at least one hydrophilic component being dispersible in the fluid. A dispersible beneficial agent is preferred as one of the hydrophilic components of the latex coating to allow immediate release of the beneficial agent therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering characteristics of a fluid. The apparatus includes a first perimeter wall defining an internal chamber therein. The first perimeter wall defines a first opening and a second opening therethrough. The first opening is constructed to be fluidly connected to a fluid source. The internal chamber defined in said first perimeter wall is constructed to contain a beneficial agent therein. A beneficial agent is disposed in the internal chamber defined in the first perimeter wall, the beneficial agent being dispersible in a fluid flowing from the first opening to the second opening through the internal chamber defined in the first perimeter wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product. The apparatus includes a feeding set having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is constructed for fluid connection to a supply container. The feeding set defines an interior space. The apparatus further includes a canister disposed in the interior space defined by the feeding set. The canister includes a wall portion that defines an aperture therethrough. The canister is constructed to receive one or more beneficial agents in an interior chamber defined therein. At least one beneficial agent disposed in the interior chamber defined by the canister.

Abstract: A method for dye marking a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient includes the steps of: (1) providing apparatus such as a formulation chamber, e.g., a drip chamber, connectable to the supply container, with at least one sustained release reservoir containing a physiologically acceptable and dispersible marker dye positioned within the formulation chamber, and, liquid communication means connecting the formulation chamber to the feeding tube of a patient; (2) providing a supply container containing the nutritional product; (3) connecting the formulation chamber to the supply container and the liquid commmunication means to the feeding tube; and (4) flowing the dye-marked nutritional product through the apparatus and into the feeding tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply to a feeding tube delivering the modified liquid enteral nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. At least one beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form in a useful, dose unit, amount, is disposed within a formulation chamber so as to be taken up in a liquid enteral nutritional product traversing the formulation chamber while feeding the modified nutritional product into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The beneficial additive(s) are selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents, or mixtures thereof, each in a dosage form that is dispersible in the medium of the liquid enteral nutritional product in less than two hours.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply thereof, such as a hangable container, to a feeding tube delivering the liquid enteral nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The apparatus has at least one formulation chamber, such as a drip chamber, with at least one controlled release dosage form unit in the form of a coated tablet, osmotically driven device, coated capsule, microencapsulated microspheres, agglomerated molecular sieving type material, or a quantity of fine hollow permeable fibers located therein. The controlled release dosage form unit or units contain at least one beneficial agent selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents or mixtures thereof, to any of which a physiologically acceptable marker dye in controlled release dosage form and/or the same or different beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form may be added.

Abstract: An apparatus is useful for dye marking a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A formulation chamber, such as a drip chamber, is connectable to the supply container. At least one sustained release reservoir containing a physiologically acceptable marker dye is positioned within the formulation chamber, or if not, is included as part of a kit. The sustained release reservoir may be in the form of a coated tablet, osmotically driven device, coated capsule, microencapsulated microspheres, agglomerated molecular sieving material, or chopped hollow fibers having permeable walls. A liquid communication means connects the formulation chamber to the feeding tube of a patient. The marker dye may be a colorant dye or a fluorescing dye or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. During enteral tube feeding the nutritional product passes through a formulation chamber, e.g., a drip chamber, having located therein at least one controlled release dosage form unit containing at least one beneficial agent. The beneficial agent may be selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents or mixtures thereof, and any such together with a physiologically acceptable marker dye in controlled release dosage form and/or the same or different additional beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form. Controlled release dosage forms may be of a conventional sustained release type or an osmotically driven delivery device.