Abstract: The present invention includes an osmotic pump that includes a means for venting an osmotic composition included in the pump before the internal pressure of the pump has the opportunity to build to such an extent that the pump is structurally compromised, such as when one or more components of the pump are physically separated. The means for venting osmotic material included in an osmotic pump according to the present invention includes a vent that allows the material included in the osmotic composition of the pump to dissipate into an environment of operation at a rate that results in dissipation of the pressure created within the osmotic pump and a reduced potential for subject discomfort or irritation.

Abstract: An osmotic pump having a minimally compliant, volume-efficient piston positioned within a capsule is provided. The capsule has an interior surface, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a length-to-total-diameter ratio of about 1.1:1 and a core-diameter-to-total-diameter ratio of about 0.9:1. The piston enables greater beneficial agent and/or osmotic agent payload without increasing the size of the capsule. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and, in turn, cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: An implantable, time-released substance delivery device includes a casing having an exterior surface, and a number of pores disposed on the exterior surface of the casing. The time-released substance delivery device further has an interior chamber disposed within the casing, and a number of excretion tubes disposed within the casing. Each of the excretion tubes fluidly connects the interior chamber to one of the pores.

Abstract: A device and method for enhancing skin piercing by microprotrusions involves pre-stretching the skin to enhance pathway formation when the microprotrusions are pressed into the skin. An expandable device includes skin engaging opposite ends that contact the skin surface so that when the device is expanded the skin is stretched. The skin is placed under a tension of about 0.01 to about 10 megapascals, preferably about 0.05 to 2 megapascals. The device has a plurality of microprotrusions which penetrate the skin while the skin is being stretched by the expanded device. Another stretching device employs suction for skin stretching.

Abstract: An implantable osmotically driven delivery system having a dynamic, two-way valve and a self-adjusting, variable geometry fluid flow channel. As pressure within the agent delivery system increases, the fluid channel narrows, thereby restricting flow. At exceptionally high pressures, the valve can be designed to close altogether at the orifice or delivery end, or it can provide a minimal leak path so that a maximum fluid flow is never exceeded. At zero or very low pressures, the valve will close completely at the beneficial agent reservoir end, isolating the beneficial agent formulation from external fluid infiltration and thereby eliminating diffusion of external fluid into the beneficial agent formulation.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a beneficial agent, and an osmopolymer including a tablet. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmopolymer from the beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmopolymer. The osmopolymer imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and, in turn, cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device is provided with a passive flow control device is provided in the form of a valve which may assume two flow states. Flow control is achieved by duty cycling the valve using a control module which generates appropriate signals in response to an input telemetry signal corresponding to a desired flow rate. In another embodiment, a passively controlled bolus delivery device is provided to deliver a bolus of drug in addition to normal dosage.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system has a membrane plug retention mechanism which can also be used to control the delivery rate of a beneficial agent from the osmotic delivery system. The osmotic delivery device includes an implant capsule containing a beneficial agent and an osmotic agent. Holes are formed along a side wall of the implant capsule at an open end of the capsule. When the membrane plug is inserted into the open end of the capsule, the membrane material swells into the holes in the capsule side wall creating a large frictional force which prevents expulsion of the membrane plug. A beneficial agent delivery rate of the osmotic delivery system is controllable by varying the size and number of the holes to change the amount of exposed surface area of the membrane plug. An increase in the surface area of the membrane plug exposed to the exterior environment causes a corresponding increase in the liquid permeation rate of the membrane and thus, increases the beneficial agent delivery rate.

Abstract: An osmotic pump having a minimally compliant, volume-efficient piston positioned within a capsule is provided. The capsule has an interior surface, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a length-to-total-diameter ratio of about 1.1:1 and a core-diameter-to-total-diameter ratio of about 0.9:1. The piston enables greater beneficial agent and/or osmotic agent payload without increasing the size of the capsule. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and, in turn, cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: Osmotic delivery system semipermeable body assemblies that control the delivery rate of a beneficial agent from an osmotic delivery system incorporating one of the semipermeable body assemblies are provided. A semipermeable body assembly or plug includes a semipermeable body which is positionable in an opening of an osmotic delivery system. The semipermeable body has a hollow interior portion having a size selected to obtain a predetermined liquid permeation rate through the semipermeable body. Because the beneficial agent in the osmotic delivery system is delivered at substantially the same rate, the osmotic agent imbibes liquid which has permeated through the plug from a surrounding environment, and the liquid permeation rate through the plug controls the delivery rate of the beneficial agent from the osmotic delivery system.

Abstract: An agent delivery or sampling device (2) comprising a member (6) having a plurality of blades (4) for piercing the skin and a connecting medium (65) covering at least a part of the skin contacting side (48) of the member (6) for increasing transdermal flux of an agent.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system has a membrane plug retention mechanism which can also be used to control the delivery rate of a beneficial agent from the osmotic delivery system. The osmotic delivery device includes an implant capsule containing a beneficial agent and an osmotic agent. Holes are formed along a side wall of the implant capsule at an open end of the capsule. When the membrane plug is inserted into the open end of the capsule, the membrane material swells into the holes in the capsule side wall creating a large frictional force which prevents expulsion of the membrane plug. A beneficial agent delivery rate of the osmotic delivery system is controllable by varying the size and number of the holes to change the amount of exposed surface area of the membrane plug. An increase in the surface area of the membrane plug exposed to the exterior environment causes a corresponding increase in the liquid permeation rate of the membrane and thus, increases the beneficial agent delivery rate.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space-efficient piston is provided. The enclosure has an interior holding the position, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent including a tablet. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmotic agent. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a bolus of a medical agent to a patient. The apparatus comprises a pump mechanism, a data input device, and a processor in data communication with the keypad and arranged to control the pump mechanism. The processor is programmed to receive data specifying a bolus amount through the data port, receive data regarding duration through the data port, receive a percentage through the data port, the percentage defining a portion of the bolus amount to deliver immediately upon executing a deliver command and a remainder of the bolus amount to deliver over the duration upon executing a deliver command, and execute the deliver command thereby controlling the pump mechanism to deliver the bolus. Also a method of temporarily adjusting the delivery rate of an infusion pump. The infusion pump is programmed to deliver a basal rate.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system flow modulator assembly, an osmotic delivery system with a flow modulator assembly, and a method of assembling an osmotic delivery system. The osmotic delivery system flow modular assembly includes a body having a hole located through the body and communicating two opposing ends of the body. The use of the osmotic delivery system flow modulator assembly lessens the chance that air or gas pockets will form in the enclosure of the osmotic delivery system during assembly of the system. Because less air is within the osmotic delivery system, performance of the system is enhanced. Use of the flow modulator assembly also lessens the chance that beneficial agent will be wasted during assembly of the osmotic delivery system.

Abstract: An orifice device for delivering one or more drugs includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end; and a plurality of windings helically wound around the inner member. Each winding defines a separate layer and each winding includes at least one wire helically wound around the inner member. The plurality of windings and the inner member define at least two separate carrying one or more drugs therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of each of the plurality of windings and an outlet is at the distal end of the plurality of windings. At least one of the plurality of windings has a plurality of distinct wires helically wound in parallel around the inner member and at least one of the plurality of windings respectively. In some embodiments, the plural and the inner member define at least three separate channels for carrying one or more drugs therethrough. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of distinct wires have a different dimension.

Abstract: Flow regulators for implantable drug delivery devices (100) and drug delivery devices produced therewith. Implantable drug delivery devices (100) employing diffusion, osmosis, electrodiffusion, electroosmosis, or a combination of one or more of these for driving one or more drugs therefrom are provided with cover members (126, 128) for varying at least one of an effective cross-sectional area and transport characteristics through which fluids diffuse or osmose. The cover members may be remotely actuated from a location outside of an implantation site after implantation of a device.

Abstract: A pump, includes a pump engine; a compartment adapted to store a fluid, the compartment being disposed at least partially around the pump engine, and a piston disposed within the compartment, the compartment and the engine being configured to cause the piston to travel within the compartment along an arcuate path and to force a volume of the fluid out of the pump.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery device includes a delivery device body having a first end with a beneficial agent delivery orifice and a second open end. An expandable, semipermeable membrane plug is secured in an open end of the delivery device body by a plurality of holes formed in the delivery device body around the open end of the delivery device body.

Abstract: A system or apparatus is described for reducing the likelihood of the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia in the heart of a patient having a myocardial infarction and an atrioventricular block, particularly a ventricular arrhythmia of the type potentially leading to Sudden Cardiac Death. The likelihood of the occurrence of the ventricular arrhythmia is reduced by stimulating myocardial hyperinnervation in the sinus node and right ventricle of the heart of the patient. Myocardial hyperinnervation in the sinus node and right ventricle is stimulated by applying electrical stimulation to the right stellate ganglion of the patient or by applying Nerve Growth Factor or other neurotrophic substance to the right stellate ganglion. The apparatus can also be advantageously exploited for use with patients having myocardial infarction but no atrioventricular block and for patients have other heart conditions such as Brugada syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention is disclosed herein as an electrochemical cell having a cell housing with a first half cell and a second half cell, and an ion selective membrane between the cells. The electrochemical cell further has a first electrode positioned within the first half cell, a second electrode positioned within the second half cell, an electrolyte in electrical communication with both the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrodes of the cell are configured so that the electrochemical cell maintains a substantially constant salt concentration level throughout operation. The cell is preferably used in conjunction with an implantable fluid delivery apparatus. A method for using the device is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing medical treatment to a patient, including a medical treatment apparatus and a remote control device. The medical treatment apparatus has a local processor, and a local communication element connected to the local processor, while the remote control device includes a remote processor, user interface components connected to the remote processor, and a remote communication element connected to the remote processor and adapted to communicate with the local communication element of the medical treatment apparatus in a wireless manner such that information can be transferred between the local processor and the remote processor. The remote control device also includes at least two separate power supplies connected to the remote processor.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preventing and treating disseminating cancers. Inhibition metastases of a primary tumor to a liver tissue is carried out by directly contacting a liver tissue with Taurolidine.

Abstract: Implantable devices and osmotic pump and catheter systems for delivering a pharmaceutical agent to a patient at selectable rates include an impermeable pump housing and a moveable partition disposed within the housing, the partition dividing the housing into an osmotic driving compartment having an open end and a pharmaceutical agent compartment having a delivery orifice. A plurality of semi permeable membranes may be disposed in the open end of the osmotic driving compartment and a number of impermeable barriers may seal selected ones of the plurality of semi permeable membranes from the patient until breached. Breaching one or more of the impermeable barriers increases the surface area of semi permeable membrane exposed to the patient and controllably increases the delivery rate of the pharmaceutical agent through the delivery orifice and catheter.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for controlled release of chemical molecules, such as drugs. One device comprises a plurality of reservoirs; a rupturable covering, such as a thin metal film, enclosing a first end of each reservoir; a release formulation in each reservoir comprising chemical molecules for release; an expanding material layer in each reservoir; and a semi-permeable membrane enclosing a second end of each reservoir distal the release formulation, the semi-permeable membrane being operable to permit selected molecules (e.g., water) from outside the reservoir to diffuse to the expanding material layer to expand the expanding material layer and displace the release formulation in an amount effective rupture the rupturable membrane and discharge the release formulation.

Abstract: An implantable, osmotically-driven delivery system having a dynamic, two-way valve and self-adjusting, variable geometry fluid flow channel. As pressure within the agent delivery system goes up, the fluid channel narrows, thereby restricting flow. At exceptionally high pressures, the valve can be designed to close altogether at the orifice or delivery end, or it can provide a minimal leak path so that a maximum fluid flow is never exceeded. At zero or very low pressures, the valve will close completely at the beneficial agent reservoir end, isolating the beneficial agent formulation from external fluid infiltration and thereby eliminating diffusion of external fluid into the beneficial agent formulation.

Abstract: An implant is suggested having a receptacle space for a therapeutic agent, which can leave the receptacle space through a permeable element. For exact dosage, an open-pore diffusion element is suggested as the permeable element, wherein the pore walls are chemically modified for control of the diffusion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an osmotic engine useful in an osmotic delivery system for delivery of a beneficial agent in a controlled manner over a pre preselected administration period. By including a flowable engine comprising at least one osmotic agent and at least one fluid vehicle, the resulting osmotic engine reaches zero a zero order push power or push rate quickly and provides steady delivery of the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid, such as insulin, to a patient. The device includes an exit port assembly, a syringe-like reservoir including a side wall extending along a longitudinal axis towards an outlet connected to the exit port assembly, and a plunger assembly received in the reservoir. The plunger assembly includes a two-way shape memory element connecting first and second lateral segments, and having a changeable length decreasing from an uncharged length to a charged length when at least one charge is applied to the shape memory element. Successively applying a charge and removing the charge from the two-way shape memory element causes longitudinal movement of the plunger assembly towards the outlet of the reservoir in order to cause fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir to the exit port assembly.

Abstract: A dosage form manufactured from an extruded polymer tube and method for manufacturing the dosage form are disclosed. The dosage form is preferably an osmotic dosage form and includes a therapeutic agent and an expandable composition contained within the lumen of the extruded polymer tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for use in delivering formulation that allows modification of the formulation prior to or concomitant with its transport or at a delivery site. The catheter comprises an elongate body, which defines an inner lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a modifying element, which provides for modification of one or more components of a formulation prior to or concomitant with release at the delivery site.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for the systemic delivery of fentanyl or a fentanyl congener (e.g., sufentanil) to treat pain. In the present invention, a drug formulation comprising fentanyl or a fentanyl congener is stored within a drug delivery device (e.g., contained in a reservoir or impregnated within a matrix within the controlled drug delivery device). The drug formulation comprises an amount of drug sufficient for treatment and is stable at body temperatures (i.e., no unacceptable degradation) for the entire pre-selected treatment period. The drug delivery devices store the drug formulation safely (e.g., without dose dumping), provide sufficient protection from bodily processes to prevent unacceptable degradation of the formulation, and release the drug formulation in a controlled fashion at a therapeutically effective rate to treat pain.

Abstract: An osmotic pump having a minimally compliant, volume efficient piston positioned within a capsule. The capsule has an interior surface, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The movable seal separates the osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a length to total diameter ratio of about 1.1:1 and a core diameter to total diameter ratio of about 0.9:1. The piston enables greater beneficial agent and/or osmotic agent payload without increasing the size of the capsule. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system for controlled delivery of a beneficial agent includes an implant capsule having a beneficial agent reservoir, an osmotic agent which expands on contact with fluid imbibed through a permeable membrane retained by the implant capsule, a delivery port, and a valve for opening and closing the delivery port. When the osmotic agent expands, a pressure is exerted against a separating member positioned between the beneficial agent reservoir and the osmotic agent. The separating member moves within the capsule, thereby forcing the valve to move a distance such that the beneficial agent can exit the reservoir through the delivery port.

Abstract: An implantable pump for delivering a pharmaceutical agent includes a pump engine, a piston, a pharmaceutical agent compartment and a rate adjustment assembly. The pharmaceutical agent compartment is configured to enclose a volume of pharmaceutical agent and the piston. When the piston is acted upon by the pump engine, the piston moves within the pharmaceutical agent compartment along a substantially circular path and delivers the pharmaceutical agent. The rate adjustment assembly is configured to enable a selective and reversible increase or decrease of the delivery rate of the pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: An implantable infusion pump to deliver stored infusate to a desired fluid delivery site. The pump includes a collapsible fluid chamber. The pump can include a multi-stage filtration system to filter micro-emboli as well as larger particles that are inadvertently introduced into the pump system. An external member can receive the pump and provide a medium to include additional, interactive components, e.g., a bolus port, as well as provide a versatile suture structure to enable the pump to be properly secured within an implantation site. To improve volumetric efficiency, the pump can further incorporate an outlet flow passage within a movable wall of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes of a disc-shaped housing that is made from a biocompatible material and contains a reservoir. The reservoir defines a chamber that contains at least one flexible diaphragm. A ring is provided in alignment with the peripheral edge of each diaphragm. The ring has a central opening that is aligned with the convolution and central portion of each diaphragm, to allow the diaphragm to flex within the ring. In this manner, the volume on one side of each diaphragm may be varied to correspond to a varying volume of infusion medium. Similarly, the volume within the reservoir chamber on the other side of the diaphragms is varied as the diaphragms flex, to correspond to the expansion and contraction of a propellant medium within the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid injection arrangement, particularly involving a systematic fluid injection programming capability, in the context of patient imaging systems, in which phases of contrast medium infection and flushing medium injection can be freely and selectably ordered so as to make available to the operator and patient a vast array of possible protocols than has hitherto been essentially unattainable. Also contemplated is the use of a “hold” phase, involving an indefinite pause between phases of a protocol, in connection with such imaging systems. Further contemplated is the use of a “pause” phase in which a pause of fixed duration is pre-programmed into the protocols of MRI Injector systems.

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: An implantable osmotic pump for delivering a pharmaceutical agent to a patient includes an osmotic engine, a substantially toroidal compartment disposed at least partially around the osmotic engine and a piston disposed within the compartment. The osmotic engine is configured to cause the piston to travel within the compartment and deliver a dose pharmaceutical agent contained within the compartment when the pump is implanted in an aqueous environment. A dose escalation assembly may be fitted to the pump, the dose escalation assembly being adapted to selectively increase the rate at which the pharmaceutical agent is delivered from the pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.

Abstract: A transdermal medication delivery device (20) for the remote controlled administration of medications (68, 70, 72) for absorption through the skin of a patient (22) includes a tubes (62) containing the medications (68, 70, 72). Tubes (62) are in fluid communication with valve inlets (76, 82, 88) of valves (74, 80, 86) formed on a micro-electro-mechanical-system-based (MEMS-based) valve chip (64, 162). A medication delivery component (26, 176) in fluid communication with valve outlets (78, 84, 90) of valves (74, 80, 86) has a surface (66, 178) adapted to be in contact with the skin of the patient (22) when in use. A controller (92) is configured to control a flow of the medications (68, 70, 72) through the valves (74, 80, 86), and a wireless communication interface (94), in communication with the controller (92), is configured to receive a medication control message (96) from a remote location (32).

Abstract: An implantable osmotic pump system includes a pre-hydrated semipermeable membrane to reduce the time interval between implantation of the system into the patient and full operation of the pump system. The semipermeable membrane is maintained in a hydrated state prior to implantation by fluid contact with a saline solution maintained in a saturated state by a salt tablet. As the differential osmotic pressure across the hydrated semipermeable membrane is negligible as the saline concentration on both sides of the membrane is the same, the pump system does not operate and does not infuse the pharmaceutical agent as long as this osmotic equipotential state is maintained. When the saturated saline solution is removed from fluid contact with the semipermeable membrane and the system is implanted in a patient, the osmotic pressure differential across the semipermeable membrane increases, thereby causing the pump to immediately begin operation at or near its intended and designed steady state infusion rate.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method capable of improving the entire metabolic process and through its multiplicity of effects on neurovascular reactivity, intraglomerular pressure and hemodynamics, arresting the progression of overt diabetic nephropathy, improving intraglomerular hemodynamics, and thus arresting the progression of diabetic nephropathy and therefore reducing the risk of development of End Stage Renal Disease. The current system and method is for the treatment of kidney disease using insulin pulses to a patient utilizing Chronic Intermittent Intravenous Insulin Therapy to achieve the slowing, stopping or reversing of kidney disease in both diabetic and non-diabetic patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for detecting an acute myocardial infarction (i.e., a heart attack) at the earliest possible time and promptly warning the patient that he should immediately seek medical care. The present invention includes an implantable electronic system that can sense a change in the patient's electrogram that is indicative of a heart attack. If a heart attack is sensed, the device would then cause an implantable and/or externally located alarm to be actuated to warn the patient of his condition and a medical practitioner at a remote diagnostic center would receive the patient's electrogram for analysis. The patient or a caretaker would then be informed to self-inject medication through a subcutaneous, pass-through drug port that can be a separate device or integrated into the implanted device that is designed for the early detection of a heart attack.

Abstract: A therapeutic device and therapeutic method for delivering electrical energy to a polymer containing a medicament that allows release of the medicament to a body tissue or organ. The device and method utilizes ultrasonic vibrations to cause the device, implanted in the body tissue or organ to be treated, to discharge an electrical current to the polymer containing the medicament. The medicament is controllably released to the target area by changing the charge of the polymer with the electrical current.

Abstract: A diluent identifying system comprising a computer or computer network for maintaining a database of additives for infusion processes. The system identifying one or more diluents that can be used with each additive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and improved osmotic device (1) that is capable of providing a controlled release of active agent contained in the core (4) through a preformed passageway (5) into an environment of use. The preformed passageway (5) increases in size during use of the osmotic device (1) thereby increasing the release rate of the active agent, enabling the release of large particles containing active agent, and enabling the release of active agents that are substantially insoluble in the environment of use.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system having a space efficient piston. The enclosure has an interior holding the piston, a beneficial agent, and an osmotic agent including a tablet. The piston is movable with respect to an interior surface of the capsule, and defines a movable seal with the interior surface of the capsule. The moveable seal separates the osmotic agent from the beneficial agent. The piston has a recess that receives at least a portion of the osmotic agent. The osmotic agent imbibes liquid from a surrounding environment through a semipermeable body to cause the piston to move and in turn cause delivery of the beneficial agent from the capsule.

Abstract: An implantable osmotic pump for delivering a pharmaceutical agent to a patient includes an osmotic engine, a substantially toroidal compartment disposed at least partially around the osmotic engine and a piston disposed within the compartment. The osmotic engine is configured to cause the piston to travel within the compartment and deliver a dose pharmaceutical agent contained within the compartment when the pump is implanted in an aqueous environment. A dose escalation assembly may be fitted to the pump, the dose escalation assembly being adapted to selectively increase the rate at which the pharmaceutical agent is delivered from the pump.