Osmotically triggered device with gas generating means
First Claim
1. A device for delivering a useful agent to an environment of use, comprising:
- (a) a useful agent;
(b) a housing comprising a shape-retaining wall formed of a semipermeable polymer that defines an internal space and has an opening that connects the space with the exterior of the device;
(c) a container in the housing, said container comprising a flexible wall surrounding a reservoir for storing the agent, and a passageway that passes through the opening for delivering the agent from the container to the exterior of the device; and
,(d) means for generating a gas in the device interposed between the housing and the container, said means generating gas in response to fluid admitted into the device, which gas exerts pressure on the container causing it to decrease in volume and correspondingly delivers agent through the passageway from the device in a unit time.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device is disclosed for supplying and delivering an useful agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) a flexible container in the housing and having a passageway for connecting the container with the exterior of the device, (3) a useful agent in the container, and (4) a gas generating means located between the housing and the container. In operation, when the device is in a fluid environment, fluid is admitted into the device and contacts the means, causing it to produce a gas that exerts pressure against the container. The pressure urges the container to decrease its dimensions and correspondingly deliver agent through the passageway from the device. Also, article of manufactures are enclosed, which articles consists of a gas generating means between two different polymeric films, and a gas generating means housed in a polymeric matrix.
76 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A device for delivering a useful agent to an environment of use, comprising:
-
(a) a useful agent; (b) a housing comprising a shape-retaining wall formed of a semipermeable polymer that defines an internal space and has an opening that connects the space with the exterior of the device; (c) a container in the housing, said container comprising a flexible wall surrounding a reservoir for storing the agent, and a passageway that passes through the opening for delivering the agent from the container to the exterior of the device; and
,(d) means for generating a gas in the device interposed between the housing and the container, said means generating gas in response to fluid admitted into the device, which gas exerts pressure on the container causing it to decrease in volume and correspondingly delivers agent through the passageway from the device in a unit time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 11)
-
- 5. An article of manufacture useful for fabricating a gas-powered device for delivering a beneficial agent to an agent receptive environment, the article comprising a first layer of a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose ester, cellulose ether, cellulose acylate, cellulose diacylate and cellulose triacylate, the first layer positioned adjacent to a second layer which second layer comprises a means for generating a gas, and which second layer is in contacted arrangement with a third layer of a flexible, elastomeric polymer.
-
7. A gas-powered dispensing device comprising:
-
(a) a container for storing a beneficial agent, said container changeble from a storing to a substantially emptied state; (b) a passageway for connecting the container with the exterior of the device for dispensing agent from the device; (c) means for generating gas on the exterior surface of the container, said means comprising an acidic component and a basic component that react in the presence of aqueous fluid admitted into the device and generate a gas; (d) a wall for maintaining the physical shape and dimensions of the device, and for admitting fluid into the device, the wall surrounding and enclosing the container and the gas generating means; and (e) wherein, when the device is in operation, in a fluid environment, fluid is admitted into the device causing the means to generate gas that is applied against the container, urging the container to undergo change to an empty state, thereby dispensing agent through the passageway from the device in unit time. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
- 12. An article of manufacture useful for generating a gas in a fluid environment comprising a gas generating couple consisting of an acidic component and a basic component dispersed in a polymer that is permeable to the passage of fluid, said polmer a member selected from the group consisting of polyolefins and vinyl polymers, poly(hydroxyalkyl methacrylate), poly(acrylamide), gelatin, poly(methacrylamide), poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), dextran, carbohydrate, anionic and cationic hydrogels, poly(electrolyte) complexes, lightly cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(glyceryl methacrylate), poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate), poly(sulphide), poly(sulphoxide), poly(sulphone), poly(styrene), copolymeric(divinylbenzene and styrene), poly(dialkylaminoethyl styrene), cation and anion exchange resins, collodin, sulfonated copolymers of styrene and divinylbenzene, copolymers of methacrylic and divinylbenzene, poly(urethane), cellulose esters, and cellulose ethers, and wherein the article when in a fluid environment admits fluid into the polymer causing the couple to react and generate gas that is released from the polymer over time.
Specification