Agent dispenser comprising a semipermeable wall surrounding single-piece or two-piece container

• US 4,814,180 A
• Filed: 12/15/1986
• Issued: 03/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Eckenhoff, James B., Theeuwes, Felix, Deters, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rose, Shep K.
• Application Number:
  US06/941,971
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 424/473
• US Class Current: 424/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0004 Osmotic delivery systems; Sustained release driven by osmosis, thermal energy or gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50

Abstract

A dispenser is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent to an environment of use. The dispenser comprises a semipermeable wall surrounding a compartment containing a heat responsive composition, and an expandable composition. A passageway in the wall connects the compartment with the exterior of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A dispenser for delivering at a rate controlled by the dispenser a formulation to an environment of use, the dispenser comprising:

(a) a container comprising a single wall or a two-piece mated wall that surrounds an internal lumen;

(b) a formulation in the lumen, the formulation comprising a beneficial agent and a carrier for the beneficial agent, which carrier is storable up to 32°

C., and forms a deliverable formulation above 32°

C.;

(c) means in the lumen for pushing the formulation from the dispenser, said means a composition that increases in volume in the presence of fluid that enters the dispenser thereby pushing the formulation from the dispenser;

(d) a wall surrounding at least in part the container, the wall comprising at least in part a semipermeable composition that is permeable to the passage of fluid and substantially impermeable to the passage of beneficial agent; and

(e) at least one passageway in the dispenser communicating with the lumen for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispenser over time.

2. The dispenser for delivering at a rate controlled by the dispenser a formulation to an environment of use according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

3. The dispenser for delivering at a rate controlled by the dispenser a formulation to an environment of use according to claim 1, wherein the environment of use is the gastrointestinal tract, and the carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable heat sensitive carrier that is storable up to 32°

C., absorbs heat from the gastrointestinal tract and thereby forms a deliverable formulation.

4. The dispenser for delivering at a rate controlled by the dispenser a formulation to an environment of use according to claim 1, wherein the means for pushing the formulation from the dispenser comprises a hydrophilic polymer and an osmotically effective agent.

5. The dispenser for delivering at a rate controlled by the dispenser a formulation to an environment of use according to claim 1, wherein the means in the lumen for pushing the formulation from the dispenser comprises a hydrophilic composition that absorbs fluid and expands for producing a pushing action.

6. The dispenser for delivering at a rate controlled by the dispenser a formulation to an environment of use according to claim 1, wherein the semipermeable composition comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a cellulose ester, cellulose diester, cellulose triester, cellulose ether, cellulose ester ether, cellulose acylate, cellulose diacylate, cellulose triacylate, cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate and cellulose triacetate.