Process for forming dispensing device

• US 4,883,667 A
• Filed: 11/27/1987
• Issued: 11/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Eckenhoff, James B.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/126,079
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 424/438, 424/467, 424/473, 424/468, 424/469, 604/892
• US Class Current: 424/438
• 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 dispensing device is disclosed for delivering a beneficial agent. The device comprises (1) a housing defining an internal space, (2) an expandable composition comprising a dense member in the space, (3) a composition comprising a beneficial agent and a non-toxic heat responsive carrier in the space, and (4) a passageway in the housing for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispensing device.

Claims

1. A process for forming a dispensing device to deliver a beneficial agent to a fluid environment of use having a temperature of at least 24°

C., wherein the process comprises providing a dispenser by the steps of;

(a) mixing a beneficial agent with a carrier means for absorbing thermal energy from the environment of use for forming a flowable composition;

(b) mixing an expandable means for absorbing fluid and swelling with a weight means for increasing the specific density of the expandable means thereby forming an expandable weight means;

(c) placing the composition formed in (a) in contacting arrangement with the expandable weight means formed in (b);

(d) surrounding said contacting arrangement with a wall comprising in at least a part of a semipermeable composition permeable to the passage of fluid and impermeable to the passage of a beneficial agent; and

,

(e) forming a passageway through the wall for delivering the beneficial agent from the dispenser to the environment of use over time.