Orally administrable delivery device

• US 5,925,030 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elan Pharma International Limited (Perrigo Company PLC)
• Original Assignee: Elan Corporation PLC (Perrigo Company PLC)
• Inventors: Kelly, John Gerard, Gross, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn Wood
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIANCO, PATRICIA
• Application Number:
  US08/793,497
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 604/890.1, 604/891.1, 604/19, 604/20, 604/133, 604/140, 604/141, 607/115, 607/116, 607/133, 424/438, 424/439, 424/422-426
• US Class Current: 604/890.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0009 involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis microelectromechanical systems A61K9/0097
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/14204 with gas-producing electrochemical cell
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14593 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure

Abstract

Oral drug delivery device having a housing with walls of water permeable material and having at least two chambers separated by a displaceable membrane. The first chamber receives drug and has an orifice through which the drug is expelled under pressure. The second chamber contains at least one of two spaced apart electrodes forming part of an electric circuit which is closed by the ingress of an aqueous ionic solution into the second chamber. When current flows through the circuit, gas is generated and acts on the displaceable membrane to compress the first chamber and expel the active ingredient through the orifice for progressive delivery to the gastrointestinal tract.

Claims

1. An orally administrable delivery device comprising a housing with walls of a water permeable material and having at least two chambers:

a first chamber adapted to receive an active ingredient and which is provided with an orifice through which the active ingredient is expelled under pressure in a liquid form; and

a second chamber containing at least one of two spaced-apart electrodes which form part of an electric circuit which is closed by ingress of an aqueous ionic solution into said second chamber, such that a potential difference is set up between the electrodes and a current flows through said circuit resulting in the generation of a gas at said at least one electrode, and the gas once generated acting on a displaceable membrane to compress the first chamber and expel the active ingredient through the orifice for progressive delivery to the gastrointestinal tract.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber contains a pair of spaced-apart electrodes.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the electrodes represent an anode and a cathode, the sum of the half-cell reactions of which is positive and wherein at least one of the electrode reactions produces a gas when said electric circuit is closed.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the electrodes are connected by a connection which is isolated from the electrolyte.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the connection is external of the second chamber.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1, wherein the electric circuit includes a micro-processor for controlling the generation of gas.

7. A device according to any one of claims 1, wherein the electric circuit includes a sensor for sensing a condition in the body and controls the generation of gas in response to the output of said sensor.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable membrane is flexible.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the displaceable membrane is formed of polyvinyl chloride or a silicone rubber.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material of the walls of the device is a non-toxic material which is selected from natural and synthetic materials.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the material is a plastics material.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein the material is made from cellulose or a cellulose derivative.