Flow controller configurations for an active agent delivery device

• US 5,985,324 A
• Filed: 05/07/1998
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: ALZA Corporation (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wong, Patrick S.-L., Etter, Jeffrey W., Poutiatine, Andrew I., Horvath, James, Ohms, Christopher M. G., Ferrari, Vincent J., Roth, Nathan, Martin, Miriam A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clardy, S. Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shelborne, Kathryne E.
• Application Number:
  US09/073,982
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 424/473, 424/438, 424/451, 424/464
• US Class Current: 424/473
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 21/183 with means for changing the flavour of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0038 Straws
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0092 Hollow drug-filled fibres, tubes of the core-shell type, coated fibres, coated rods, microtubules or nanotubes

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an oral active agent delivery system comprising improved flow controllers. A hollow tubular member (10) containing the active agent formulation and having a fluid passing controller (14) is placed at one end (16) into a fluid and at a second end (18) into a patient'"'"'s mouth. The active agent is delivered when the patient sips on the end of the chamber. The improved controllers prevent leakage of the active agent formulation.

Claims

1. An improved controller for an oral active agent delivery system for delivering discrete units of active agent formulation in admixture with a fluid, said system comprising a hollow tubular member, said tubular member having a first end and a second end and containing an active agent formulation in the form of discrete units between said ends, said controller being located within said hollow tubular member and capable of permitting fluid entry into the tubular member while preventing release of the discrete units from the first end of the tubular member and being transportable toward said second end by the fluid entering the system, said controller comprising an exterior surface provided with at least one protrusion extending therefrom, said protrusion providing discrete areas of contact between the controller and the tubular member.

2. The controller of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a cylindrical body portion provided with said at least one protrusion on its exterior surface wherein said protrusion prevents leakage of said active agent from said first end of the device.

3. The controller of claim 2 wherein the protrusion comprises at least one ridge extending outwardly from and along the circumference of the cylindrical body portion.

4. The controller of claim 3 wherein the ridge comprises a continuous spiral ridge extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the cylindrical body portion.

5. The controller of claim 3 wherein the ridge is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member.

6. The controller of claim 5 further comprising at least one longitudinal channel formed in the exterior surface of the cylindrical body portion to allow passage of fluid across the controller.

7. The controller of claim 3 wherein the cylindrical body portion comprises a groove along the circumference of the exterior surface and the ridge comprises an O-ring positioned within the groove.

8. The controller of claim 3 wherein the cylindrical body portion comprises a groove comprising retaining ridges and the ridge is a flanged ring which is positioned within the groove and secured by the retaining ridges.

9. The controller of claim 3 wherein the ridge forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member.

10. The controller of claim 2 wherein the protrusion comprises a hollow cap covering one end of said cylindrical body portion.

11. The controller of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a central portion and the protrusion comprises at least one vertical fin extending from the central portion along its length.

12. The controller of claim 11 wherein the central portion comprises a cylindrical body portion.

13. The controller of claim 11 wherein the at least one fin is rectangular.

14. The controller of claim 11 wherein the at least one fin is provided with at least one recess along the exterior surface thereof.

15. The controller of claim 11 wherein the at least one fin comprises a wave shaped exterior surface.

16. The controller of claim 11 further comprising a flexible circular member at one end of the controller, the diameter of said circular member being substantially the same or larger than that of the inner diameter of the tubular member.

17. The controller of claim 1 wherein the controller is formed from a thermoplastic material.

18. The controller of claim 17 wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

19. The controller of claim 1 wherein the controller is formed from a high or low density foam.

20. The controller of claim 19 wherein the controller is formed from a closed cell foam.

21. The controller of claim 20 wherein the controller is formed from low density closed cell polyethylene.

22. An improved controller for an oral active agent delivery system for delivering discrete units of active agent formulation in admixture with a fluid, said system comprising a hollow tubular member, said tubular member having a first end and a second end and containing an active agent formulation in the form of discrete units between said ends, said controller being located within said hollow tubular member and capable of permitting fluid entry into the tubular member while preventing release of the discrete units from the first end of the tubular member and being transportable toward said second end by the fluid entering the system, said controller comprising a plug of bonded fibers.

23. The controller of claim 22 wherein the fibers comprise a polyolefin fiber, optionally having a polyester core.

24. The controller of claim 23 wherein the fibers comprise a fiber having a polyester core and a polyethylene sheath.