HELICAL OSMOTIC DISPENSER WITH NON-PLANAR MEMBRANE

• US 3,760,806 A
• Filed: 01/13/1971
• Issued: 09/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Harold M. Leeper
• Original Assignee: Harold M. Leeper
• Inventors: Leeper, Harold M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McGowan, J. C.
• Application Number:
  US05/106,132
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 128/260,127-131,172,213,261,272,271 222/193,389,386.5,386,130,105,106,94,95,97 210/23
• US Class Current: 604/892.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 6/142 Wirelike structures, e.g. loops, rings, spirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0004 Osmotic delivery systems; Sustained release driven by osmosis, thermal energy or gas
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/002 Forward osmosis or direct osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/0024 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/005 Osmotic agents; Draw solutions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 69/04 Tubular membranes

Abstract

An osmotic active agent dispenser is comprised of: (1) a first helical compartment of relatively impervious material containing an active agent and provided with a dispensing head for releasing active agent to the exterior of the dispenser; (2) a second helical compartment of controlled permeability to water containing a solution of an osmotically effective solute which exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against water, the second compartment being interconnected with said first compartment to define a continuous helix therewith; and (3) a movable barrier member separating the first from the second compartment. The barrier member is slidably responsive to an increase in volume in the second compartment via absorption of water by osmosis therein; whereby as water flows into the compartment (2) of the dispenser in a tendency towards osmotic equilibrium with its environment, corresponding pressure is exerted behind the barrier (3) driving it into and diminishing the volume of the compartment (1), in turn continuously ejecting active agent thereout at an osmotically controlled rate over a prolonged period of time.

Claims

2. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the barrer (3) defines a wall member common to each of said compartments (1) and (2).

3. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of a drug and a bio-affecting composition.

4. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the active agent contained therein is in the form of a semisolid formulation.

5. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the solution exhibiting an osmotic pressure gradient against water is a saturated aqueous salt solution.

6. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 5, wherein the saturated salt solution contains excess solute in solid form.

7. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the first helical compartment (1) is comprised of a member selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, metal-foil polyethylene laminate, neoprene rubber, rubber hydrochloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinlyl chloride, polymethylmethacrylate, sheet metal, galvanized pipe, reinforced epoxy resin, natural gum rubber, and styreneacrylonitrile copolymer.

8. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the second helical compartment (2) is comprised of a member selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, silicone rubber, polyurethane, natural rubber and hydrolyzed ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.

9. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the active ingredient release means comprises a capillary tube forming an extension of helical compartment (1).

10. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the restricting means comprises a relatively rigid permeable housing member enveloping the device.

11. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 10, wherein the housing member is comprised of a member selected from the group consisting of perforated polystyrene, perforated polyethylene, perforated polypropylene, perforated polyethylene terephthalate, perforated polyvinyl chloride, perforated polymethylmethacrylate, perforated sheet metal, perforated reinforced epoxy resin, perforated galvanized pipe, porous sintered brass tubing, porous styrene/acrylonitrile polymer, and porous sintered polyethylene.

12. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the movable impervious barrier is a spherical body comprised of glass or plastic.

13. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, further comprising a ballast member to regulate the weight thereof.

14. The osmotic dispenser as defined by claim 1, wherein the osmotically effective solute is selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulphate, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium sulphate, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfite, sodium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium acid phthalate, calcium bicarbonate, potassium acid phosphate, raffinose, tartaric acid, succinic acid, calcium succinate, calcium lactate, magnesium succinate and mixtures thereof.